My eyes widened. The way she said it made it seem like she was actually acquainted with Jess. Which wouldn’t be all that much of a coincidence, given this was the closest Starbucks to her place. Now, normally I wasn’t into strangers knowing my business, but in this specific situation, I wasn’t above using Debbie’s intel to my advantage. “You know her?”
“I don’tknow herknow her, but she comes in here often enough that I knowofher. Right after the whole Jesserella thing hit, I even asked her if she wastheJess. She spit her coffee all over the counter.”
“That sounds like her.” I laughed. “What did she say to that?”
“She made some excuse, but I couldn’t shake the thought that it might be her, and then yesterday the two of you were all over the place and I was pretty damn proud of myself.”
“I’m sure you were. Well, Debbie, you’ve been a wealth of information. Thanks to your patience, I think I’m ready to take that next step.”
“Are you sure? I want you to feel comfortable with the process.”
“I’m sure. Give me that toasted latte thingy. Now, about the pastries.”
* * *
Jess opened the door and flung herself into my arms, almost making me drop the coffee and bakery items I’d brought.
“Whoa. If this is how food delivery guys get greeted, sign me up.”
“Right—because those guys pull way more chicks than the rock star.”
“I wouldn’t know, because since becoming a rock star—in training—I’ve only had one.”
“Your loss. I’ve banged the whole Door Dash fleet.”
I pushed my way in. “You’re lucky I’m not a jealous guy. Debbie says hi, by the way.”
“Debbie?”
“The barista you spit all over last week.”
“Oh, Debbie.” Jess lengthened the name for comic effect.
I set the coffee on the table and handed her a bag. “I brought you a cake pop.”
“A cake pop?” She giggled. “What am I, ten?”
“Debbie said it was the most popular bakery item.”
“Yes. If you’re ten.”
“You want it or not? Because otherwise I’ll eat it, and I’ve already consumed three.”
“I want it. Geez. Back off, cake pop pusher!”
I laughed, sweeping her into my arms. “You’re a firecracker today, aren’t you?”
“You’ve spent a whole two days with me. How do you know I’m not a firecracker every day?”
My lips dipped into the hollows of her perfect neck. She smelled of sweet pineapple. I could easily devour her.
Reaching around and squeezing her ass, I said. “I’m counting on it.”
* * *
Thirty minutes later we were getting dressed again—and the coffee was cold.
“I’m starting to see a pattern here,” Jess said, hooking her bra.
