“So, what do you think?”Brad asked.
“I think that someone has a lot of imagination.Is it part of a chain?”
He shook his head.“It’s a single proprietor.”
She was intrigued.“Now let’s try their brew.”
Brad gestured for her to lead the way to the counter.He didn’t have to wait because she was on it.After being up in the middle of the night to drive to the airport, she was tired.Some caffeine would definitely give her a boost.
When she looked up at the menu, she noticed they’d worked the highway theme into the drink names from Left Lane Latte, which was a latte with two shots of espresso, to Work Zone coffee, which was a decaf coffee.Someone definitely gave the business a whole lot of thought.
It made her wonder if she should step things up with her coffeeshop.After all, it had been open not quite five years.Maybe it was time to give it a makeover.As she placed her order, she tucked the thoughts away to mull over later.
Brad insisted on paying, even though she’d objected.He said she was his guest, and it was the least he could do.
They found a little table and took a seat.She wanted to remember this place, so she pulled out her phone.
“What are you up to?”he asked.“Did I bore you so much that you have to call someone else to talk to?”
She laughed.“No.I just want to remember this place.I love it.It wouldn’t work in Bayberry, but it definitely works here.I want to take some pictures, and maybe it’ll inspire me to give the Steaming Brew a makeover.”
“Why would you do that?”
She shrugged.“It’s been the same since I opened it.That’s been a while.Maybe it’s time to switch things up a little.”
“I think it’s perfect the way it is.”
“You do?”She sent him a puzzled look.“I thought you brought me here to give me ideas of how to redo my place.”
He shook his head.“I brought you here to show you that you could do whatever you wanted if you were to bring your business to Chicago.”
“Chicago?”It took her brain a moment to catch up with all of the thoughts going through her mind.“You want me to move to Chicago?”When he sent her a sheepish look and shrugged, she said, “But I don’t even know anyone here.”
“You know me.Isn’t that enough?”
She knew the answer he wanted to hear, but she couldn’t utter those words.Her family and friends were back in Bayberry.He couldn’t possibly expect her to choose between them and him.It wasn’t going to happen.
“Forget I said it,” he said.“I was just joking.”
She breathed easier, but something told her it had been more than a joke.It was like they were both dancing around whatever this was that was happening between them.Maybe it was time to hash it out.
Her gaze lifted and looked into his.“What are we doing?”
“Having coffee.”He sent her an easy smile as he took a sip of his coffee.
“We need to talk.”
He shook his head.“Not now.”
She appreciated that he didn’t want to ruin her trip, but they were just delaying the inevitable.Flying back and forth was not sustainable.But maybe he was right.The conversation could wait.They still had the rest of the weekend.
The weekend had been wonderful.
It had been quick.
And now it was over.
Brad stood at the airport with Abby.She had her carry-on slung over her shoulder as they stood off to the side of the security point.
