He tilts his head, catching sight of Haddie’s phone—and when understanding hits, the corner of his mouth lifts in a barely-there grin.
“Don’t,” I warn.
“Don’t what?” he asks, that grin spreading.
“Smile.”
He fails immediately. “Guess we’re Cedar Falls official, Katie.”
I close my eyes and count to three. “You realize everyone here thinks we’re dating?”
“Good,” he says quietly, stepping closer so only I can hear. “That’s kind of the point.”
“What?” I hiss.
He gives a low laugh. “Phase One.”
“Unbelievable,” I mutter, grabbing a napkin just to have something to do with my hands.
Levi clears his throat, smirking. “So, uh, lovebirds—what’ll it be today?”
Cam doesn’t miss a beat. “Two lattes. Be sure the one for my girlfriend has oat milk.”
The wordgirlfriendhits like a spark.
Haddie squeals, clutching her cup. “You heard it here first, folks!”
The café erupts in chatter again, voices overlapping—I knew it!andabout time!floating through the air like confetti.
Cam leans down, whispering near my ear, “See? Smooth rollout.”
“You’re insufferable,” I whisper back.
He just grins wider. “You like me anyway.”
Levi laughs outright. “Oh yeah, this is definitely going on the page.”
“Levi!” I bark, but it’s useless.
As Cam hands me my cup, I’m half mortified, and unfortunately, the other half of me is trying not to smile.
I tip my head toward the door and he follows, holding it open, eyes glinting. “Ladies first,girlfriend.”
I glare up at him, cheeks burning. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“Absolutely.”
And as we step outside, Haddie calls after us, “Have fun, lovebirds!”
The second the door swings shut behind us, I grab Cam’s arm and march him down the sidewalk.
“Kate—”
“Don’t ‘Kate’ me,” I whisper shout, glancing back at the windows of Cedar Perk, where I’m positive Haddie is already putting together a follow-up post. “Do you have any idea what you just did in there?”
He has the audacity to look amused. “Ordered coffee?”
“You called me yourgirlfriend!In front of Haddie Carmichael! You might as well have hired a skywriter.”
