More laughing.
More giving in to this gravitational pull toward her.
Justmore.
“Sir? Excuse me. Are you ready to order?”
The barista’s voice breaks me out of my musings, and I snap my attention to her, pushing away my thoughts of Millie so I can order my breakfast.
When my coffee and bagel are ready, I grab them from the counter and turn to leave. But I stumble over my feet as I spot another splash of auburn at a table near the window, and this time I know who it is. My heart pounds heavily in my chest like it’s attempting to escape my ribs and soar toward her.
Millie’s hair is coppery sunshine in the coffee-shop lighting, making my fingers ache to run through it. As I step in her direction, I will my eyes not to drop to the smooth skin revealed by the open buttons at the top of her green blouse, but it’s like a siren’s call, luring me toward the spot. My gaze follows the path of freckles over her collarbones and down into the vee of her shirt.
Desire trickles through my veins the longer I stare, wishing I could feel that skin against mine. Let her warmth burn beneath my hands and—crash.
Somewhere in the bakery, a plate smashes to the ground, and the sound of shattered porcelain snaps me from my daze. I clear my throat as I force my eyes back above her neck. “Good morning.” My voice is huskier than usual as I approach her table and ask, “How are you?”
“I’m great,” Millie says, glancing around the coffee shop. “Simply debating why there are so many people here this morning. Everyone is finding out about this place, and I selfishly want to keep it a secret.” She narrows her eyes at me. “Haveyoubeen telling people about Maggie’s? Posting about it on some kind of Princess Leia fan board?”
Her teasing makes me grin. It feels like an honor to be close enough that she has ammo for making fun of me.
“I would never do that,” I tell her. “I’m as addicted to this place as you are.”
“Good. I’m glad I brought someone over to the dark side with me.” She pins me with a sharp look. “But you’re the only one allowed. And the girls, of course.”
“Honored, we are,” I say, giving my best Yoda impression, and her twinkling green eyes dance with delight.
She waves to the empty chair beside her. “Want to join me?”
I nod and take a seat. “Was it a muffin morning?” I ask as she picks apart the pastry in front of her.
“One of these people must’ve stolen the last almond croissant.” She shoves a bite angrily into her mouth. “I need to learn how to make them.”
“You, Millie Oaks, can’t make something?” I tease, taking a sip of my coffee and opening my bagel.
“Ha. Ha,” she says with a scowl. “The process is so long, and Ineed a standing mixer to blend the dough together better. They keep turning into puddles in the oven.” She shakes her head and crumbles another bite of muffin between her fingers.
I nod like I get it. Like I really have some understanding of croissant-making logistics. “How was your weekend?”
“Standard, I guess. Multiple pots of coffee, chicken tortilla soup with an entire bag of chips and salsa, and a few rounds of Catan.”
“I haven’t played that game in forever.” I sigh, taking a bite of my bagel. “One of the many hobbies that fall by the wayside when you suddenly have kids.”
Millie raises her eyebrows. “You should come to game night sometime. Lena, Micah, Emil, and I try to have it once a week.”
The idea of going out and leaving the girls in the evening makes my hands clammy. What if they need me and I’m not there?
“I know it’s hard to schedule stuff like that,” Millie says comfortingly. “But we’d love for you to come. Bring the girls if you want. We even have some kids’ games and Legos for when Lena’s niece and nephew visit.”
The bell over the door dings behind me, and Millie’s eyes snap toward it.
“That sounds—” I start, but I’m cut off when her hand shoots out to grab the knot of my tie. She hauls me to her, burying her face in the side of my neck, and I’m frozen in shock, completely unable to process normal thoughts. Millie’s smooth skin is touching mine, and I’m surrounded by her vanilla-and-lemon scent.
“Sorry,” she whispers. “There’s someone over there I don’t want to see me.” Her warm breath against my neck is like a heater on my skin, melting my tense muscles.
Don’t be sorry at all. This is exactly where I want you to be.
Fuck. I can’t say that to my coworker. Instead, I whisper, “That’s okay. Did they see you?” My lips accidentally brush the shell of her ear, and her breath hitches.
