She nodded.“Normally that’s true.But this evening is different.There is a closed sign on the door.”
He paused as though she’d caught him off-guard.“I didn’t see it.”
She didn’t know how he missed it, but she digressed.“I’m afraid all I have available is plain coffee.However, I could add some eggnog, if you’d like.”
“So, this was a waste of time.”His frown deepened.“Is there somewhere else I can get a decent cup of coffee?”
She nodded.“Mel’s Grille.They have some of the best food in town.”
“Let me guess.They don’t have espresso either.”
She had no idea what was bothering this man, but it had to be more than not getting an eggnog latte.“They do not.If you come back tomorrow morning, we’ll definitely have a latte for you.”Her smile broadened as she thought of a peace offering.“In fact, tomorrow you can have an eggnog latte on the house.”
His brows briefly rose.“You can’t make a profit giving away your product.”
She shrugged.“Sometimes, it’s more important to do the right thing.”
He didn’t respond as he pulled his phone from his pocket.She couldn’t tell if he was impressed by her kindness or not.Not that she was trying to impress him or anything.But she wanted to make her customers happy, even the grumpy ones.
After he typed something on his phone, he looked up at her.“Fine.I’ll take a coffee with skim and one packet of sweetener.”
A genuine smile lifted the corners of her lips.“Now that’s something I can get you.Just give me a moment.”She turned and reached for an extra-large cup.“Are you visiting Bayberry, or did you recently move here?”
The Bayberry Candle Co.was growing and, in the process, it seemed there was always a new face around town.The newcomers were breathing new life into the local businesses.
Her question was met with silence, as though the man wasn’t planning to answer her.Then he said, “Only visiting.”
She dropped a pod in the coffeemaker.It took a moment for the steaming hot coffee to fill the to-go cup.She added milk and sweetener before adding the lid.
When she returned to the counter, she said, “We’re happy to have you.The tree lighting is tonight in the center of town.You don’t want to miss it.”
He was busy on his phone and didn’t look up.“How much do I owe you?”
“Nothing.”
He didn’t speak—not even a thank you.She restrained a sigh.Instead of paying her any attention, he was thoroughly distracted by his phone.
She slipped a red cardboard sleeve onto the cup before holding it out to him.He held out his hand to take the cup.Their fingers touched.Her pulse jumped.It was like there was a burst of static electricity that arced between them.The reaction startled her.She immediately yanked her hand back.
Time slowed down as the full coffee cup fell…
Chapter Two
Sploosh!
The white lid popped off.Hot coffee sloshed up and out as the cup hit the counter.Abby gasped as she instinctively jumped back.She ended up just out of reach of the hot liquid.This wasn’t her first spilled coffee.Nor would it be her last.Most of the coffee had splashed in the other direction.
Her gaze lifted to meet the man’s.“Are you all right?
His dark brows furrowed together.He swiped at some drops of coffee on his black coat.But then she spotted a big wet spot on his shirt.Oh no!This can’t be happening.
When his blue gaze met hers, she felt as though a deep freeze had come over the coffeeshop.“I’m so sorry.”She reached for a cloth and reached over the counter to help wipe him off.“Let me help.”
“I don’t think so.”He yanked the cloth from her hand and began wiping off the coffee.“I can’t believe you spilled coffee on me.”
“I, uh… I thought you had the cup.”
His brows drew together as the corners of his mouth lowered into a formidable frown.“Obviously, I didn’t.”
