Walking intoBeau’s, I inhale deeply, the aromas of coffee beans, made to order sandwiches, and homemade soups making my mouth water even though I’m not hungry in the slightest.
Beau and Theo Collins, the brother duo that own and operate the café, are both standing behind the long barista counter. Polished concrete floors, red brick walls, and a black painted ceiling that gives the space a striking, clean aesthetic. The black metal and wood topped tables dotted around the center of the room are currently filled with customers, as well as several of the black leather booths along the far side of the room. A row of tall, bar height tables with round stools are along the other wall, and two plush, black leather sofas face each other with a low wooden coffee table situated between them in front of the wide windows out front. Edison bulb string lights are strung from the ceiling, casting everything in a warm glow despite the sunshine spilling in from the front windows.
“Good morning,Louie,” Theo Collins says, a beaming smirk lighting up his face. Tall and lanky and built like a basketball player, he’s the real-life embodiment of a golden retriever with his perpetual goofy grin and playful attitude. Blond hair that’s worn fashionably too long and blue eyes that have a teasinggleam to them just add to that mischievous air. Willow thinks he’s in love with her sister, Noelle. Meh, guess we’ll see.
“You know I hate when you call me that,” I grumble good naturedly, stepping up to the counter and rifling in my purse for my wallet.
Beau Collins is the opposite of his younger brother. Dark hair, dark eyes, covered in tattoos, and even grumpier than Zach, I’ve always associated him with a rottweiler, or a German Shepherd. Quiet and observing. Earlier this year, he and Willow’s oldest sister Valentina had started dating, and the way he melts for her and only her is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
Theo leans on his elbows on the countertop, propping his chin in his palms, fingers pointing up toward his cheeks. He grins, bobbling blond brows. “Oh, I know. That’s why I do it.”
“Get your fucking elbows off the counter,” Beau grunts, kicking at Theo’s ankle. “Lou, what can we get started for you?”
“I need a dirty iced chai latte, a drip coffee with almond milk, and that caramel apple something you have on the special board, please.”
Beau nods, typing everything in on the small point of sale tablet in front of him. “So, a drink carrier, too.” Looking up at me, he says, “So we have Tessa, Darci, and Sienna. What are we making for you?”
I laugh and nod, because of course he’s correct in guessing which drink is for each of my sisters. Tapping my bank card on my chin, I scrunch my nose and peruse the drink menu like I’m not going to get the same thing I always get in the fall.
“Ugh,” I groan, making a face. “I guess just a—”
“A pumpkin cream cold brew with extra cinnamon dusted on top?” Beau finishes, already grabbing the necessary cups for the order and handing them to Theo.
I make another face at him. “I’m that predictable, huh?”
He shrugs, finishing ringing me in. “Certain people are, yes.”
“Guess I’ll have to try and surprise you next time,” I laugh, paying with a tap of my card on the payment reader.
I stuff a twenty-dollar bill in the tip jar, making Beau’s dark brows dip over his dark eyes, but then he tips his head. “Thanks, Lou. You always take care of us.”
“You guys take care ofus. I appreciate you.”
“It’s what we do,” he says with another shrug, like memorizing hundreds of his regular’s drink orders is totally normal and not a big deal at all. Theo brings me a drink carrier with my order. Beau winks. “Have a good one, Lou. Tell Jude we will have chicken dumpling soup this week on special.”
“Will do,” I laugh, raising my drink carrier in cheers. “Thanks, guys.”
Turning my back to the door to push it open with my hands full of the drinks, I step out onto the sun-drenched sidewalk. I turn again in the direction of my car, but I’m brought up short and stumble when I bump into a body, and a shadow falls over me from a long way up. Large, steady hands grip my biceps and keep me from toppling over. Or losing the precious cargo I carry.
Tilting my head back to look up at whoever I just ran into, I smile at the familiar face.
“Hiya, Nash!”
Nash Brighton, my sister Sienna’s ex-boyfriend from a million years ago, grins down at me, his gray eyes crinkling at the corners. “Hey, Little Miller. How are you?”
I hold up the loaded down drink carrier and laugh, shrugging my shoulders. “Oh, you know. Another October Sunday day at Bliss.”
Nash catalogues the drinks I’m holding, his eyes stopping on the caramel apple concoction. “How’s uh—how’s Sunny?”
“She’s good,” I tell him with a smile, but I know it doesn’t entirely reach my eyes. It’s hard to lie to Nash about my sister. “Getting married in June.”
His dark brows pull close over his eyes in a heavy frown. “June? Seriously? You know what,” he says quietly, “if she’s happy, I’m happy.”
I nod, wrinkling my nose as I give him a knowing smile. “It was good to see you, Nash. Don’t be a stranger out at Bliss, okay?”
He nods, but we both know he won’t come out to the garden. He hasn’t been there in ten years.
I nod, too, then turn and start back down the sidewalk toward my car as he reaches for the door toBeau’s.
