“I’m staying until close. Put me to use.”
She smiled as she set the drink down but then glared at me. “You are a pain in my ass, Cal Holt.”
“He’s a pain in everyone’s ass, baby Van,” Emmett said, teasing her from the other side of the bar. She laughed and winked at him. His grin grew, and fuck, I hated them. How did they get Elle to smile so freely and tease them? I wanted that so damn badly, but I only seemed to upset her.
“Elle,” I said, making her glare again. “What can I do?”
“Just give him a chore, honey. He seems beefy and useful.” Cindy, a regular with a smoker’s voice, patted the bar. “When a man who looks like that offers help, you take it.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Elle replied. Her lips curved into a smirk before facing me. “Glasses need to be washed, dried, and restacked. That would help me a lot.”
“On it.”
The dishwasher and sink put me right next to her, and every so often, our arms would brush. It was awkward at first but then I found a rhythm. She’d hand me a dirty glass, I’d pass her a clean one, and she hadn’t thrown me a glare once. When there was a lull, I emptied the trash. Replaced the paper in the receipt printer. Took the tips from the jar and put them in the safe.
There were three napkins with numbers on them, all meant for Elle…which annoyed me. What was she gonna do, call the number and be likehey, yeah, let’s hang outwhat do you look like? What an inefficient way to leave your number. Idiots.
During halftime, Elle leaned against the wall and yawned. Guilt gnawed at me. She was tired because I’d kept her up. “Hey.” I handed her a bag of protein balls. “They’ll help. Also, brought you something.”
She took the baggie and already shoved one in her mouth. “I forgot dinner again.”
“I figured. Sneak in here for a second.” I held the door to the cooler, and she walked in. It was small and cold and just the two of us. She ran her hands up and down her arms as I held up the brookie. “It’s not dinner, but it’s the two best desserts in one.”
“Uh, it looks good.” Her eyes lit up when I handed her a spoon. “You made this?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” She took a huge spoonful and crossed her eyes. “Cal, fuck.”
Hearing her say my name like that was a bolt of lust. It was insanely hot. I cleared my throat, glad the air was chilled around us. “Because you asked to hang out, and I bolted. They are my apology and invitation brownies. Friday, do you have plans?”
“Not until here. Why? What are you thinking?” Her sparkled with interest, and I wanted to bottle that expression on her face forever.
“There’s a greenhouse I’ve been wanting to try. Would you like to come with me?”
“As friends?” she asked, a lilt to her voice.
“Yes.” I swallowed down any urge to be more. “If you’re free, I can drive.”
She spooned another bite of the dessert I made, her brown eyes swirling with questions. But she never asked them. She nodded. “Sure, sounds good.”
“First plant is on me.”
“Cal—”
“You inspired me, and it’s a thank you.”
“Inspired you?” She took another bite and shivered. “How?”
“I set up a therapy appointment, made plans with the team. I don’t know. Talking to you last night opened up something I had closed for years. Plus, I met Lizzie today on the phone, and—” I paused, a lump in the back of my throat. “She’s incredible.”
“Oh, Cal.” She touched my arm just as a huge cheer broke out. “Shit, I gotta get back behind the bar. Do I have anything on my face or teeth?” She smiled wide and cheesy, and she did have chocolate on her face, right next to her lip.
I could’ve told her, held up my phone or something. Instead, I used my thumb to wipe it off. “There.” She froze at my touch, her eyes going large.
“Uh, thanks.” She blinked a few times and went to the door. “Thank you, for the dessert too. It seems we keep making missteps, but I think we’ll get to a good place, you and me.”
A good place.
