“Thanks, I appreciate it,” she said, lowering her head between me and Alex. She looked at me and lightly slapped me before disappearing, but something on her wrist caught my attention. Something black. Hazeldidhave a tattoo, although I couldn’t make it out because her blouse covered it. Was that hot, or was I just horny? The warmth of her hand on my cheek lingered even after she left.
“Don’t you dare ruin this place for us. This is the best coffee around,” Ethan said, punching me on the shoulder. Why was everybody hitting me today?
“Okay, okay, I’m just messing with her, I’m not interested,” I laughed.
“I don’t know, man, I think he actually likes her,” Alex said. I almost spit out my coffee.
“Why don’t you just ask her out as a normal human being?”
I just gave them a look, the kind that saiddrop it already,but my gaze slipped back to the counter anyway.
“Oh, what? Am I the only one who thinks that?”
“Has Ava filled your head with this crap, too?” I said, tapping my fingers on the table. Their constant attempts to set me up with someone had all failed. Miserably. Predictably.
“Yeah, man, back off. He’s gonna ruin everything with his huge ego and tiny man nipples,” Logan chimed in.
“Fuck off,” I cussed at him.
“I’m actually on the same page with Alex,” Ethan interrupted. “I think you want her, you’re just afraid your man nipples will be rejected.”
“You’re all way too interested in my man nipples,” I said, trying to change the subject. “Let’s talk about something else. Are we still on for tomorrow?”
“Yeah, the girls have the trip planned. They’ll tell us about it tomorrow at Logan and Norah’s,” Ethan replied.
“Okay, I’ll book the tickets,” I said, setting a reminder on my phone.
Suddenly, a large man in a suit caught my eye. He was our age, but he had a strange energy about him. Hazel was taking his order, but she wasn’t smiling like she did with other customers. I fidgeted an inch closer in my seat.
Hazel, come on,his tone wasn’t pleading. It was sharp, almost like a warning. Something in me tensed. That instinctive alert that kicks in when a man’s voice shifts just enough to signal trouble. I didn’t even think about it. I stood up and made my way to the counter.
“I’m working now, please leave me alone.” Hazel kept her focus on the counter, shoulders tight, clearly trying to brush him off, but the flicker in her eyes gave away a trace of nerves.
“Oh, come on, it’s not that busy. Your friend can manage,” the guy insisted, still pushing.
Alex, Ethan, and Logan picked up on it too and trailed a few steps behind me as I approached.
“I think the lady said she’s working,” I cut in, stepping between them. My voice was steady, polite, but firm. Just enough not to start a scene. Up close, he didn’t seem so big anymore. Funny how that happens.
“Okay, let’s keep it calm, gentlemen,” Logan said, trying to diffuse the tension. Always the rational one, he excelled at resolving conflicts with calm conversation, often insulting people without them noticing.
“Everything okay?” Ethan asked Hazel.
“Yes, I’m fine, guys,” Hazel replied, her tone polite but strained. Meanwhile, I kept my focus on the guy who seemed confused but frustrated by the development of the situation.
“He was just leaving, right?” she asked, trying to keep it together and prevent a big scene. I wasn’t sure if it was exactly fear, but she definitely didn’t want to make this anyone else’s problem.
“Hey, no trouble here,” the man said with a smirk, acting like we were overreacting. He grabbed his takeaway, looked back at Hazel, and added, “Give me a call, will you?”
He backed away, opened the door, and left. Hazel exhaled quietly, a subtle sign of relief.
“Who was that?” I asked. She held my gaze just a second too long, clearly debating whether to be honest.
“No one. Just a pushy customer. It’s fine,” she said, brushing it off with a soft “thank you.” She gave me that warm smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. And that worried me. Why did it worry me? Damn it. I didn’t like this feeling. I didn’t want to walk away. What if that creep came back? But the coffee shop was full, and her coworkers were close, so I clung to that as reassurance.
“Alright. Take care, Hazel.”
“Bye, Hazel. Thanks for the croissants,” Ethan added, already at the door, with others following.
