This was a lot to take in so early in the morning, especially after Theo had come over. She’d spent the rest of the night lying in bed, ruminating on the ache throbbing in her chest, unable to sleep fromthe empty feeling he’d left behind. She wanted more of him, more of his warmth, more of his face, his laugh, his wit. There was still so much of him to get to know, still so many layers to peel away. They’d only just begun.
And it seemed like Theo felt the same way. He was trying to make so much more time for her. A thrill coursed through her at the idea.
But she hadn’t known the extent of the professional care he was receiving. And she hadn’t ever really considered the consequences of it.
Hadhe?
Audrey made the latte in silence while Diego watched her over his own coffee. He checked his watch and downed the rest of his cappuccino. “Look, I’ve got to get out of here. You make a damn good coffee, but I’ve got to go to work and I also don’t want Theo to catch me encroaching on his territory.” He shook his head. “But frankly, you needed to know. You seem sweet. That’s good. But I swear to God, if you hurt him,I will come for you.” He pointed directly in her face again. “And yes, that is a threat.Capisce?”
“Don’t point at me like that.” She shoved his finger away. “Come for me? What are you, mafia or something?”
“Mafia?” Diego gave her a disgusted look. “No.Come on, do I look like mafia to you?”
“I don’t know, I’m not a native New Yorker, I don’t—”
“Well, that’s obvious.”
“Okay, but—”
“So here’s what we’re gonna do.” He straightened and smoothed the wrinkles from his jeans before adjusting the tan leather jacket he wore. “Theo’s going to come in here on Monday during your break and you’re going to act surprised. I was never here, we never had this conversation, he would kill me if he knew. Would wrap one of his gargantuan hands around my neck and pinch my windpipe shut likeit was easy, tossing that whole ‘gentle giant’ schtick straight out the window.”
Audrey glowered at him while she slid the next coffee onto the pickup counter. “First of all, Diego: you’re obnoxious and I’m not helping you. Second of all: I’ve met Theo. I don’t believe he’d actually hurt you for one minute.” As much as she’d like to see Theo strangle his supposed best friend right now, she still couldn’t imagine him hurting a fly.
Diego barked a laugh and shook a finger in her direction, his mouth twisting into a crooked smirk while his eyes lit up. He looked a lot less predatory, and his smile only grew the more he studied her.
“You know what, Audrey? Feel free to hate me, but I like you. You’ve got backbone.” Then he snorted. “Theo may be as sweet as they come to you, but he was a beast when we played lacrosse together and it wasn’t for nothing. Absolute tank on the field, and he’s capable of doing plenty of damage even now, believe you me. And you probably don’t know it yet because he’d never show it, andespeciallynot to you, but he does have a temper. It takes a lot for him to boil over, but it happens on occasion. He’s been very clear about not wanting any interference in this thing you two have going on, and I definitely went behind his back today.”
“Regular mocha.” Josh handed her another cup and Audrey turned back to the Marzocco.
“That’s a you problem if you knew the consequences,” she shot over her shoulder at Diego while she pumped chocolate syrup into the cup. “You came here and threatened me, and I’m absolutely not covering for you. I’m not lying about anything to Theo and I’ll let him handle you however he sees fit.”
Diego waved a dismissive hand in the air and flashed her a scathing look. “Hey, hey, hey: don’t give me that. I don’t want any of your logic or integrity, I don’t care how sound it is.” He leanedaround the machine and held out a hand. “Now give me your phone.”
“No.” Audrey wiped down the steam wand and pumped it pointedly in his direction.
Diego yanked his hand away rather than be scalded. “Oh for fuck’s sake…” He ripped the cardboard sleeve off his drink and pulled a Sharpie out of his jacket pocket while Audrey topped off the mocha she’d just made with foam. He scribbled on it and slid it over to her.
“Here’s my number. If something happens with him and you don’t know what to do, you text or call me, all right?”
“I don’t want your number. You did not endear yourself to me today.” Her scowl deepened. “And now you’ve also ruined Theo’s surprise for me. I don’t even get to enjoythat.”
“Jesus Christ.” Diego sighed and muttered to himself in rapid Spanish while massaging the bridge of his nose again. “Fine. I’ll take responsibility and deal with him later.” He checked his watch and blanched. “Shit. All right, I’ve gotta run. I’m not facing him in person over this, not today. I might be dumb, but I’m notthatstupid.” He grabbed his satchel and tapped the sleeve again before pushing it closer to her. “You know, it was really nice to meet you, Audrey. Don’t take me bristling at you as an insult—it’s actually a huge compliment.”
“Don’t try to backpedal now, Diego. You’ve already dug yourself a hole with me.” Josh passed her another plastic cup with a whispered, “Large cold brew,” and she shook her head while she filled it with iced coffee. “And you were doing so well, too, convincing Theo to wear that beautiful sweater on our first real date. He lookedsosexy. Pity I have to dislike you now.” She shoved the top on the cup. “Especially since I wouldverymuch like to be his girlfriend.”
He chuckled. “Fine, kiddo. I’ll figure out how to make it up to you. And I’m sure I’ll see you around—if Theo doesn’t kill me first.”He gave her and Josh one last look, lingering for the briefest of moments on Josh’s face. “Catch you later,” he said before spinning on his heel and striding confidently out of the café, trotting down the street at a quick clip in the direction of the subway.
Audrey eyed the sleeve he’d left behind and slid the cardboard into her back pocket.
Josh took the last customer’s order and leaned over to Audrey while he passed her the mug. “That guy was really hot, if combative. Think he’s single?” he muttered, flashing her a sheepish grin when she glared at him. “What the fuck was all that about?”
She hummed. “I might have myself a boyfriend.”
Theo arrived atexactly 8:30 a.m.
But this time, he didn’t slink into the café so much as he strode into it, his single visible eye bright and locked straight onto Audrey. He’d already texted her saying he’d be a little late, but he’d see her at her break time, and she already had their coffee made and ready to go. Josh had steeled himself enough to cover for her like he usually did, and when she brought their drinks over to their table, Theo put one hand around her waist, lowered his mask with the other,and kissed her.
Audrey gasped in surprise before throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him back.
