He reached out and stilled her hand. “Keep it. On one condition.”
She met his eyes with a worried look. “Yes?”
Elias leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “Wear it for me again. And next time, stay for breakfast.”
He lingered beside her ear, breathing in her salty peach skin, feeling wisps of her hair tickling his cheek. He didn’t miss the shiver that made her tremble like an aspen in the wind. When he pulled back, her eyes had gone a little unfocused. She bit her lower lip and Elias was in danger of sweeping her off her feet and carrying her out to his truck.
“A-hem.”
Elias turned back toward the counter. April leaned on her elbows, grinning. “Next.”
“A refill for me, and a cinnamon-honey double-shot latte for the lady.”
Wren’s eyebrow shot up. “You remembered.”
April mock-frowned at Elias. “Hey, that’smyjob, to remember people’s favorite drinks.” She switched her attention to Wren. “Andyoumust be Scrubs Top.”
Elias’ chest tightened as Wren’s eyes went wide. She turned her head and glared at him. “Scrubs. Top?”
April growled and slapped her forehead. “Oh, God, there I go ruining lives again.” She looked back and forth between Elias and Wren.
Flustered, Elias said, “I, uh… I might have mentioned meeting you at the fire. And the scrubs top. I’m sorry.”
“Not at all,” Wren said in a cold, crisp tone. She pursed her lips as she reached into her bag and pulled out the top. Elias prepared for The Speech. The one where Wren would tell him she never wanted to see him again, then thrust the shirt at him and march out the door.
Instead, she surprised him. Again.
Her face broke into a gorgeous smile. “Yup, I’m Scrubs Top. Guilty as charged.” She unfolded the top and held it up to her body for April to see. “What do you think? Cute dress?”
April gave her a relieved laugh. “Very cute. Much cuter on you than on old Lion here.”
Wren’s eyes went round again. “He does look like a lion, doesn’t he? It’s not just my imagination.” She turned back to Elias with a beaming smile that melted his heart.
“That’s also his nickname,” April informed her. “From when he was a kid. All his friends have them.”
“Elias…sorry,Lion…has friends who aren’t invisible?” She looked shocked but if her eyes twinkled before, they positively glittered with humor now.
April grinned. “They aren’t invisible but they sometimes disappear at opportune moments.”
“That checks out. The friend who apparently disappeared last night likes pine-flavored beer.”
“That would be Waylon,” April said without missing a beat. She looked at Elias for confirmation and he tipped an invisible hat to her. “Told you, it’s my job to know everyone’s favorite drinks. Waylon would like something more adventurous than Pabst.”
Then April leaned across the counter and asked in a stage-whisper, “Please don’t tell me Lion took you to Cocks and Strippers on your first date.”
“April,” Elias growled, though without any true malice.
Wren sucked in her cheeks just for a second before answering, “Nope,” Wren stage-whispered back. “He didn’t take me. I actually showed up there all on my own.”
“Bold move.” April nodded approvingly. “He a good dancer?”
“I’m right here,” Elias said.
“Yes, actually, though he did almost step on my foot a couple of times.” Wren went back to her stage-whisper. “He was dancingreallyclose.”
“Still right here.” Elias had to force his laughter back down and it decided to hang around his heart as a warm ember.
“Interesting.” April nodded, her lips twitching like she couldn’t wait to spread the word.
