“Let me get you some more coffee—”
“No!”His icy stare met hers, sending a chill through her.“I’ve had quite enough of this place.”
And with that, he tossed the cloth onto the counter and strode out the door.A gust of arctic air rushed through the open doorway, but it wasn’t nearly as cold as the last look that man had given her.
Ugh!She let out a frustrated groan as she grabbed a rag to clean up the mess.She seriously thought he’d had the cup when she’d let go.Hadn’t he?Was it possible he’d had the same sort of connection from their touch, and he’d instinctively released his hold on the cup?
As she recalled the unusual sensation she’d experienced when their fingers touched, she wiggled her fingers.She told herself it was wintertime, so static electricity was a common occurrence.That must have been what it was.
When she made it to the other side of the counter, she realized she was going to also need a mop.And she didn’t want to leave the cleanup until later.As it dried, it’d be harder to clean.
She shrugged off her coat, and then she headed to the back room for the mop and bucket.She was going to be late for the tree lighting.And Sadie’s boyfriend, Reed, had specifically asked her to be early.
Her steps were hurried, and her movements were rushed.She glanced up at the clock.The tree-lighting was starting right then.
Abby left the mop and bucket next to the counter.She’d deal with them later.She put her coat back on and grabbed her bag.On her way out the door, she turned off the lights and locked the door behind her.
She was officially late.She was totally blaming her tardiness on the man with those icy-blue eyes that were so hard to forget.Not that she wanted to think of the irritating man.
As she picked up her pace over the treated sidewalks, she recalled how Reed had whispered to her that she shouldn’t be late.Did that mean he was going to pop “the” question?Did Sadie have any clue he was going to propose?Probably not or she would have said something.If Abby had this right, and she was pretty certain she did, she couldn’t wait to see the look on Sadie’s face.They were absolutely perfect for each other.
Abby was racewalking as fast she dared with snow on the ground.She’d contemplated moving to the roadway and running, but between the patches of ice and the layer of salt, she’d most definitely end up on her backside.Among other things, it would slow her down even more.As she glanced around, she noticed she wasn’t the only one who was late.In fact, she had to carefully pass many people.
When she arrived at the town square, there was a multitude of people huddled in coats and hats.This was a big turnout, even by Bayberry standards.She didn’t see her friends anywhere.
She pulled out her phone and messaged another friend, Kate Taylor, who was part owner of Bayberry’s biggest employer, the Bayberry Candle Co.There wasn’t time to search for them.
Abby:Where are U?
Kate:At the tree lighting.
Abby:I know.Where on the square?
Kate:Next to the tree.Oh.Wait.Reed is down on one knee.
Ugh!!She was missing it all.This was awful.She was a terrible friend.
Abby:Take a video.
She tried to make it to the front of the crowd where her friends were gathered.She’d swear the crowd at the tree lighting grew each year.Then again, it probably did with Bayberry’s growing population.
When she finally made it to the front, she saw Reed slipping a ring on Sadie’s finger.There were happy tears in Sadie’s eyes.After Reed stood, he pulled Sadie into his embrace, and they kissed.
Aw…Abby was so happy for her friends.She blinked away her own happy tears as she clapped along with the rest of the crowd.They were definitely meant to be together.
As she attempted to get closer, someone bumped into her.They knocked her back a step.In the process, she backed into someone else.As she turned to the person, she said, “I’m sorry.”
She raised her head and stared into familiar icy-blue eyes framed with dark lashes and a distinct frown.Oh no.It can’t be him.Again?
And this time she noticed the man had a cup in one hand as he was shaking off the other hand as though he’d spilled something on it.
“You again.”His deep voice had a rumble to it.“For a barista, how is it that you’re forever spilling drinks?”
“It wasn’t me.”
“I don’t see anyone else that bumped into me.”He glared at her.
She nodded.“I mean I did bump into you, but it wasn’t my fault.”
