With a sigh, I prepare the coffee as requested, but I can’t just leave it a normal coffee. He probably wants it black, too. Who even drinks that anymore? It’s like a cupcake with no icing…boring.
Nothing fancy, he says.
Clearly, he doesn’t know me that well, and that has to change.
four
Rhett
Ididn’t think I’d see the man so soon. I also didn’t peg him as someone who works in a coffee shop, but now the cupcakes he left make more sense.
Good grief, the number of coffee choices on the board was too much for me to decipher. But if Hunter and Jackson come here often enough to have regular orders, it seems I’ll need to learn the offerings and maybe try something different.
Not exactly a hardship if the attractive Diamond is the one serving me. Although I probably shouldn’t sample the goods within a tight friend group. I think. Seems like a bad idea and I certainly don’t want to mess up anyone’s friendship, but also…he’s too fucking pretty to downright ignore.
Which I’m certain is what I tell myself every time I chase after yet another beautiful man who ends up breaking my heart. It’s such a pattern of mine. You’d think I’d learn, but nope.
“The final building inspection is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.” Hunter hands Jackson and me a sheet of paper each, and I let my musings over Diamond go. “I’ll be there for that, butI’d love it if either or both of you could be there too. You know, for moral support.”
He shrugs off his request like it’s an easy thing to admit he wants company. Jackson, sure, they’re best friends, but why he includes me, I can only assume is because I’ll be running the place mostly when he’s not around.
“Of course I’ll be there,” Jackson says and rattles the sheet in his hand. “What’s this for? When did you start making checklists?”
“Since my husband won an argument about how forgetful I am,” he grumbles, and both Jackson and I laugh.
Jackson’s lips tilt in a knowing grin. “How did you lose the argument?”
The page crinkles in my hand as I adjust to look at Hunter while he answers. He sighs before he mumbles, and both Jackson and I lean closer.
“I’m sorry? I didn’t catch that.” I say, and Hunter cuts his gaze to mine.
“I forgot to buy lube and—”
Jackson laughs and slaps his knee. “You didn’t! Oh god, Hunter. I don’t blame him for making you write stuff down. I’d be pissed too.”
“Yeah, well, it was one time!”
Hunter’s cheeks flush as he returns his gaze to the table in front of us. It’s weird to see him like this. I mostly know him as a fierce competitor in the rodeo ring and the man who chases a dream of opening a rodeo school. He’s smiled and laughed, but I can’t say I’ve ever seen him flush with embarrassment.
“Are you lying again?” Diamond arrives at our table, catching the end of the conversation. He bumps Hunter with his hip as he deftly sets his tray on the table. “Do I have to tell Mr. Handsome you’re still grouchy over the list thing?” Diamond’s teasing voice cuts through our laughter as he places our drinks in front of us.“Admit that it helps to write it down. You’re getting older. It happens to the best of us.”
Diamond smiles at Hunter with a teasing grin. Clearly, he’s close to the men I now work for, but does he need to be so…flirty with his friends? Hunter is married, for god’s sake. Does he like all their shirts like he liked mine, or make them get fluttery when he sets his blue eyes on them?
Why the fuck am I even thinking these things?
“I’m aging like fine wine, I’ll have you know,” Hunter drawls. Diamond pats his cheek softly. “You’ll always be tall, dark, and handsome to me.” There’s an underlying tenderness there, and I wonder if they’ve ever been more than friends. Which shouldn’t make me angry if they once were. But the boil of jealousy settles in my gut, and I need to bite my tongue until I taste copper to stop from saying anything ridiculous.
I’ve been here for three days. Three damn days and I’m already doing my usual bullshit and attaching myself to a man who will no doubt turn me inside out if I let him. Hell of a kickoff to my fresh start. If I could kick my own ass right now, I would.
“I know you ordered a black coffee, Sug but I just can’t do it. I made you this instead, and I think you’ll like it.”
Diamond settles a large mug in front of me. His slender fingers are so at home around a white porcelain mug, it’s almost jarring. My hands are hard and calloused, filled with scratches and scars. They’re hands that match being a bronc rider and weathering the hard work of rodeo and ranch living.
Diamond’s hands are as graceful as his legs and as pretty as his face. All things I don’t need to be distracted by.
Whatever he places in front of me is definitely not black coffee.
“Do you always ignore a customer’s order?” The clip of my voice sounds foreign even to me. It’s harsh and unnecessary, but I’m committed now.
