Raine couldn’t stop herself, and she was happy for the lack of self-control.
Keaton entered, wearing a pair of khakis and a long-sleeved navy shirt. His laptop bag’s strap hung on his shoulder. He headed to the counter with purposeful steps.
Raine straightened her apron streaked with stains after an incident with foamed milk. Too late to change into a clean one. She went to the cash register to take his order.
“Hey.” Raine hoped her smile was cheery not manic. Her hand hovered over the cash register from habit until she remembered his drink was on the house. She lowered her hand to her side. “Ready to try something new?”
“I was debating whether to go have an Americano or keep switching it up.”
She shook off the disappointment. One cup of coffee didn’t matter. Well, to anyone else but her. “Your choice.”
The two words tasted like used coffee grinds in her mouth.
He read the menu. “Decisions, decisions.”
Raine said nothing. She had a feeling “don’t go back into your standard cup” wouldn’t go over well.
“I’ll take another pumpkin spice,” Keaton said finally. “Your choice of drinks.”
Yes! Raine didn’t pump her fist, but she wiggled her toes. “I know what I’ll be making you.”
“I’ll grab a table. Come over when you have time.”
She didn’t look at the menu to pick his next drink. She blended pumpkin, milk, and spices. Next, she steamed the mixture before adding espresso shots, a single layer of milk and a sprinkle of spices on top.
Robin came out from the back. “Everything’s put away.”
“Great. I’ll be with Keaton. Wave if you need me.”
Raine carried over the drink. It wasn’t until she was halfway to the table when she realized she hadn’t let Robin reply.
Impatient much?
Raine glanced over her shoulder.
A grinning Robin shooed Raine away.
With hot cheeks, Raine set the drink on Keaton’s table. “This is my take on a pumpkin spice flat white.”
“The name sounds fancy.”
“Try it,” she urged.
Keaton blew on the coffee. His lips puckered.
Was that how he looked before he kissed someone? She swallowed.
He tasted it. “Oh, this is a little thicker. Richer. I like it. Thanks.”
A thrill shot through her. “Glad you like it.”
“Ready to Boo Bash with me?”
“I am.” Raine sat and leaned back. “What do you have for me?”
He lifted the top page off the closest stack of papers. It was a flyer with Halloween clipart and the words “A Trick-or-Treating Event” in bold letters. The date and time were in a smaller but readable font.
“The first is a traditional Boo Bash. I made up the flyer based on the ones I found in the bin. A checklist had where to hang them around town: businesses, the library bulletin board, schools.”
