Felix holds up a hand. “Don’t. It’s okay. I get it.”
His easy-going manner catches me off guard. I stare at him for a moment. Maybe he doesn’t need an explanation, but he certainly deserves an apology.
Before I can respond, the door opens again, and a group of chattering women enter, followed by Logan.
“Hello, Felix, dear,” Mrs. Hendricks says as she stops on her way past. “We just had the most interesting discussion about a romance novel Georgia recommended. Much more risque than I’m used to. I need a tea to calm my nerves. Please send over a pot immediately.”
Georgia rolls her eyes dramatically. “Oh poppycock, Mrs. Hendricks. You know you loved every minute.”
The other ladies laugh as they move to the large table near the rear of the coffee shop and take their seats, Mrs. Hendricks at the head of the table.
Logan stops next to us and leans in. “Book Club,” he whispers. “We meet in the bookstore, but the ladies wanted to continue their chat and hassled me to join them for lunch. Wish me luck.”
“Poor Logan.” Felix chuckles, then turns to me. “Why don’t you join them, Kit? I’m sure you’d enjoy a discussion about romance novels. It’s right up your alley.”
Logan raises a brow at Felix’s remark. “Another romance lover? The more the merrier. Come keep me company.”
For a moment, I hesitate, but Logan’s ready smile and Georgia’s beckoning decide for me. What do I have to lose?
“Go on,” Felix encourages. “I’ll bring you your coffee.”
I nod and drag over a chair, positioning myself at the edge of the group. Mrs. Hendricks treats me like a long-lost friend and introduces me to the rest of the book club members.
“So, what were you discussing today?” I ask.
“Just dissecting a steamy romance,” Georgia says, her eyes full of mischief. She’s one of the youngest in the small group, most of them middle-aged woman. I’m sensing she has a lot of fun interjecting her opinions and aiming for the shock factor. “We were talking about how the author mastered the slow burn romance.”
Mrs. Hendricks nods. “It was a lovely love story.”
Felix comes to the table with my espresso. “Kit’s a writer.”
My stomach drops, but I can’t blame Felix for exposing me. I never said it was a secret.
“Really?” Georgia exclaims. “What do you write?”
All eyes turn to me. I freeze for a moment, unsure what to say. Avoiding the pressure of being in the public eye is why I came to Collier’s Creek and there’s no way I’m exposing myself to that sort of interest again. I wave a hand. “I’m just dabbling with a romance story,” I say, fudging the truth.
“Not writing the next great American novel?” Logan asks.
I huff a laugh. I can barely finish my cozy mystery, let alone write a classic.
Felix takes everyone’s orders as the discussion focuses on what book to read next. We eat sandwiches, and book talk eventually turns to conversation about the latest romances in town. The ladies seem enraptured by the romance between the sheriff and a dispatcher from his office. I glance at Logan, recalling Mrs. Hendricks mentioning his boyfriend, Cooper. It seems romance is very much alive in Collier’s Creek.
The book club members eventually disperse, the coffee shop quietening without their chatter. Felix wipes down the tables, humming softly to himself. I slowly get up from my seat, working up my nerve.
“Hey,” I finally say, clearing my throat awkwardly as I approach him. “I wanted to say I was sorry for rushing out last night. I… I really enjoyed our time together.”
“You don’t owe me any explanations,” Felix says, giving me a warm smile. “There’s nothing to be sorry about.”
I nod, exhaling in relief that he seems okay with what went down, but I disagree, I owe him more than the simple apology. “I was wondering if you’d like to come over tonight? I could cook dinner…” I trail off uncertainly. What am I saying? I can’t cook to save my life, well, maybe a few breakfast dishes, but nothing that signifies an apology dinner.
Felix looks unsure, but after a moment or two where I hold my breath, he smiles. “I’d like that.”
The relief is instant. “Great. I’ll see you sometime after six then?”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
I head out the door, wondering what I’ve just got myself into, but happy all the same. Now I just need to figure out what to fix for dinner.
