“Don’t move,” I say, already stepping back toward the counter.
June raises an eyebrow. “What are you?—”
“Content,” I murmur. “We’re capitalizing on this.”
I snap a quick video of the shop with packed tables, laughter, capturing the buzz of conversation.
Then I turn the camera toward Logan and his teammates.
One of them notices and flexes. Another throws up a peace sign.
Logan just looks straight into the camera with a slow smile.
He looks unfairly good as he takes a sip of his drink.
“This is damn good coffee,” he says, hamming it up.
I lower the phone.
“Please tell me you’re posting that,” June says.
“Oh, I am,” I reply, trying to sound normal. “As long as you give me permission to create some social media for you.”
“You kidding? Permission granted.”
Logan winks at me like this is all normal. “You have my permission to use my likeness, too. For content.”
I roll my eyes back at him, like I’m totally, utterly calm about what just happened.
Like my pulse isn’t all over the place, and I didn’t just capture something I’m definitely going to rewatch later.
By the time the last of the baseball players trickles out, the coffee shop is a wreck—in the best way. Empty mugs. Crumpled napkins. Laughter still echoing in the air.
June peeks out from the back, cheeks flushed. “Well, I’d say we made enough today to keep the lights on for another week.” She checks her watch. “You two mind locking up? I’ve got my bridge ladies waiting, and they get ruthless if I’m late.”
I raise an eyebrow. “We can handle it.”
Logan salutes. “Yes, ma’am. We’ll sweep and stack like pros.”
“Just…keep an eye on everything. Make sure you lock up, okay? I never did install security cameras in here like that one company tried to sell me on.”
As soon as she’s out the door, there’s a hush, like the place is catching its breath. We move around each other, wiping counters, refilling sugar jars, flipping chairs. Logan’s whistling something off-key, and it weirdly soothes me.
Then, as I’m wiping down the espresso machine, I say it. The thing I’ve been circling all day.
“You know,” I begin, pretending to focus on a coffee stain that’s already clean, “I’ve been getting messages from my ex lately.”
Logan looks up sharply from where he’s stacking chairs. “Yeah?”
I nod, still not looking at him. “It’s nothing serious. Just…him poking around. Making sure I still exist.”
Logan says nothing for a moment, examining me.
“You trying to make me jealous or something?”
I press on.
“No. Just that it got me thinking…maybe I’m taking everything too seriously. Maybe I need to loosen up. Have a little fun.” I glance over my shoulder. “Maybe this could be my rebound summer.”
