“In case you’ve had a minor stroke in the last ten seconds or got a sudden case of amnesia, I’d like to point out that you’remarried, withtwochildren.”
“I can look as long as I don’t touch. Even married women have fantasies, you know.”
I roll my eyes as I round the counter and make my way towards the man. He can’t be much older than me, maybe twenty-nine or so, and his attire and the way he carries himself screams wealth and power. I take a deep breath as I reach his table and set down a basket of napkins and cutlery, along with a selection of condiments.
“Your food shouldn’t be too long, we’re pretty quiet here today what with it being Christmas Eve and all.”
He grunts under his breath before taking a sip of his coffee.
“You don’t like Christmas?” I ask.
“Not especially.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t like Christmas before.”Who doesn’t like Christmas?
He stays silent and the air around us begins to thicken.
“So what brings you to Haven?” I quiz, changing the subject.
He sighs heavily and I’m worried I’m irritating him. “Car trouble.”
“Oh,” I say, and for the first time in my life I’m at a loss for words. I never struggle to make conversation but this guy is making it extremely difficult, it’s like trying to pull blood from a stone. “You don’t talk much do you?”
His eyes glance up to mine briefly. “No.”
Great.“If I’m bothering you, I can go away if you want, I ju-”
“No,” he says, cutting me off. His eyes find mine as he holds my gaze. “You’re not bothering me.” He gives me a small reassuring smile and my heart lightens a fraction.
“Phew! Okay, good. I was worried for a minute there that my charming people skills were slipping,” I joke in an attempt to lighten the mood.
“You definitely don’t have to worry about that, although that hat is questionable.”
I gasp dramatically. “What’s wrong with my hat?” I shake my head, making it jingle for effect.
“It’s… hideous.” He laughs, a deep rumble that vibrates through my chest, sending chills up and down my body.
“Wow, don’t hold back will you? My feelings might get shattered,” I tease, and his mouth spreads into a wide smile, showing off a wall of perfectly straight white teeth.
“Honesty is the best policy.” He angles his body towards me. “Butdespite its hideousness, it looks good on you.”
“Does it? Then I’ll take it! I’m Lorna, by the way, Lorna Wright.” I extend my hand out to him and he takes it. His hand engulfs mine, it’s soft and perfectly manicured. Hedefinitelytakes care of himself.
“Royce Cole,” he says. My skin tingles under his touch and for a brief moment I see a look pass across his face, almost as if he felt it too.
“Well,Royce, whatever brought you here, we’re happy to have you here in Haven.”
“My shitty day got a lot brighter the second I walked in that door,” he says, nodding towards the door without taking his eyes off of me, my hand still clasped in his.
My cheeks flush as my hand slips from his grasp and I back away slowly, knocking into a table awkwardly and making a total ass out of myself.
I collect myself as best I can and hurry back over to Maeve, my cheeks burning red hot.
“Smooth, girl.Realsmooth,” she mocks when I come to a stop beside her. Her shoulders shake as she tries to hide her snigger behind her hand and I shove her playfully in her side.
I glance over my shoulder and meet Royce’s eyes and I immediately lose myself in his gaze. It’s warm and penetrating and my skin heats under his stare.
My attention shifts when the door swings open with a chime and two small children come charging inside, their arms flailing excitedly.
