“You’re working from here?” Felix asks.
“I am. Luckily I have the type of job that means I can work from pretty much anywhere, so long as I have my laptop and Wi-Fi.”
The bell on the door jingles as Logan from the bookstore enters and holds the door open for Mrs. Hendricks. They make their way to the counter, the elderly lady chatting non-stop. She hardly pauses for breath as they give their orders to a bemused Will.
“Logan’s a regular here,” Felix says, noticing me looking their way. “He works at the bookstore next door. I’m sure you’ve probably seen her around too.”
I nod. “The bookstore is fantastic. And yes, I’ve met Mrs. Hendricks.”
“It’s hard not to run into everyone in a small town.”
“Is that one of the good qualities, or the bad?” I ask.
Felix chuckles. “It depends on the day and who you ask.”
Logan waves as he makes eye contact, then settles at a nearby table. Mrs. Hendricks places her over-sized purse on a spare chair and delves into its depths, dragging out a paperback that she places on the table. They’re too far away for me to see what she’s reading, but from her animation, it’s obvious they’re discussing the novel.
“I’d better get back to work,” Felix says. “Break’s over.”
My gaze flicks to his as he pushes up from his chair. “Enjoy the pie.”
I realize I haven’t eaten a bite, too caught up in our all-too-brief discussion. I smile in thanks and pick up my fork as he walks away. The pie is delicious and I savor each mouthful as I watch Felix back in action behind the counter. Then the couple at the nearby table catch my attention.
Logan and Mrs. Hendricks are talking, heads close. Mrs. Hendricks stabs at the back of the book as if making a point. She looks at me, then back at Logan, still talking a mile a minute but in low tones. I can’t hear a word of the conversation. Logan’s gaze meets mine and a tingle of nervous energy creeps over me as my heart skips a beat. Then Logan smiles, a genuine smile that makes me think I was reading too much into his stare.God, I need to relax.I blink away the discomfort and let out a slow breath, regaining my composure.
The pleasure I’d felt earlier slips away. As warm and inviting as the coffee shop is, and as much as I’ve loved the interaction with Felix, there are always risks when venturing out into the world, even in Collier’s Creek.
I close my notebook, rise from the table, and make my way to the counter.
“Heading out already?” Felix asks.
Is that a flicker of disappointment I see in his eyes?
I nod. “I need to get back to my work.”
He rings me up. I hand him some bills, our fingers brushing for the briefest moment.
“I hope I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says.
“We’ll see.” I turn to leave.
“Kit. Wait.”
I stop in my tracks, turning to face him again. “Yeah?”
“I was wondering if you’d like to join me for dinner tomorrow night?”
My heart misses a beat. “I don’t know—”
“You can’t tell me you have other plans because I know you don’t know anyone, or at least I think you don’t. Plus, I’m all alone out there. Seems a shame not to share a meal. You wouldn’t deny me an hour or so of your time, would you?” He flutters his eyelashes.
I can’t help smiling. He’s totally irresistible and impossible to say no to. I guess a simple dinner can’t hurt. “Okay. That sounds nice.”
His grin is wide. “Good. It’s a date.”
A date.I know it’s just an expression but I wish—no! “See you tomorrow,” I say.
I turn and hurry to the door, but not before catching Mrs. Hendricks’ stare.
