"The Ethiopian is excellent," Suit Guy offers before Sadie can respond. "I'm having it with almond milk. Life-changing."
I raise an eyebrow. "Is that right?"
"Absolutely." He extends a hand. "Craig Donovan. Just passing through on business."
I shake his hand, matching his firm grip. "Axel Slade. Live here, actually. Family owns Slade Brewing Company."
"No kidding?" His eyebrows lift with genuine interest. "I've had your IPA. Great stuff."
"Thanks." I turn back to Sadie, who's watching this exchange with a slight frown. "I'll take that Ethiopian, then. But regular milk. I'm a traditionalist."
Her lips twitch, almost a smile. "Coming up."
Craig leans toward me conspiratorially. "You're lucky to have this place in town. I've been traveling through Colorado for a week—and this is hands-down the best coffee I've found."
"The owner has high standards," I say, watching Sadie work the espresso machine with practiced efficiency.
"I was just telling her she should consider expanding," Craig continues. "I do small business development consulting—and this concept could really take off in the right markets."
My jaw tightens. So that's what the business card was about. "Pike's Perk is pretty special because it's one of a kind," I say lightly. "Some things aren't meant to be franchised."
She brings my coffee, her fingers brushing mine intentionally, or maybe I’m just desperate enough to imagine it. Electricity, sharp and hot, jolts up my arm. I lock eyes with her, let her see what touching her does to me. If we were alone, I’d pull her across the counter and show her exactly what I want. But here, I let my thumb graze her wrist. Slow. Deliberate. I want her to feel it in her bones.
"Craig was just telling me about his consulting business," she says, her tone neutral.
"Fascinating," I deadpan, taking a sip of coffee. It is damn good actually.
Craig doesn't catch my tone. "I was saying you could easily expand to Boulder or Denver. The right investor, the right locations, you could triple your revenue in eighteen months."
I watch Sadie's face, curious about her reaction. There's interest there, but also wariness.
"It's an interesting thought," she says carefully. "But I'm pretty attached to this location."
"Think bigger!" Craig enthuses, leaning toward her. "You could still run this flagship store while overseeing the expansion. I'd be happy to walk you through the numbers sometime. Maybe over dinner?"
And there it is. My fingers tighten around the mug as something possessive and primitive surges through me. I've never considered myself the jealous type, but watching this guysmoothly transition from business to pleasure makes me want to dump my coffee in his lap.
I cut in, voice low. “Sadie’s nights are already spoken for.” I make sure the guy hears it, make sure Sadie feels it."
She shoots me a look, surprise mixed with something else I can't quite read.
Craig's smile doesn't falter. "Well, lunch then. Or coffee. I'm flexible."
"I'll think about it," Sadie says, already turning to help another customer.
Craig checks his watch and sighs.
"I should get going. Meeting in twenty." He picks up his cup and nods to me. "Nice meeting you, Axel. Let me know if you're ever interested in discussing distribution expansion for the brewery."
"Sure thing," I say, not meaning it.
As he leaves, Sadie returns to my section of the counter, eyebrow raised. "What was that about?"
"What?" I ask innocently.
"'Sadie’s nights are already spoken for'?" she mimics, but there's a hint of amusement in her eyes.
I shrug, taking another sip of coffee. "Just making conversation."
