“I’m a painter. I’m painting a mural a couple of blocks over.”
“Oh, yeah, you mentioned that.”
Yes, I did mention that, dickhead.
The barista calls out “Large Americano for Ethan!” and he grabs the drink and heads to the condiments counter.
I wait for my drink and a second later hear, “Tea for Riley!” I grab my drink and next thing I know,WHAM.I slam right into Ethan, my tea spilling all down the front of his chest.
His reaction is my worst nightmare.
“What thefuck?” He gives a low grunt, and grits his teeth.
“I’m so sorry!” I’m grabbing napkins from the dispenser faster than I thought possible. “I swear, I really didn’t mean to.”
I press napkins into his front, trying to soak up Lemon Lift Black Tea and Ethan is peeling them off just as I put them on, but I can’t help myself.
“Please, just stop.” Ethan grabs the stack of napkins from my hands and takes two gigantic steps back. I’ve caused quite the scene, and even though I’m not looking, I can feel the entire cafe staring at me. At me. Not Ethan.“I don’t think this is going to work out.”
“Wait! Just give me a minute and I can buy you a new shirt or something.”
Why am I always making a mess?
“I don’t want a new shirt.”
He gives me a nasty once over before leaving in a huff. I am still frozen in front of the pickup counter, now without my tea.I’m palming my forehead, cursing myself when out of the corner of my eye, I see someone approaching me.
Jae. Did he just see that?
When he says nothing and hands me a steaming to-go cup, I know he did. I say nothing, he says nothing, and we walk out of the cafe towards The Red Kettle side by side in silence.
We stand in front of his restaurant, face to face, drinking our tea.
“What was that?” Jae asks, his voice is hotter than my tea.
“That… That was my first date in three years,” I answer, my voice heavier than a cast-iron pan. “I didn’t know you went to that cafe.”
“I go to Sheila’s every morning before work. I am just not usually so lucky as to have a show to go with it.” Jae skims over my outfit, and reaches to my shoulder to pull off a stray thread.
“That was the guy you made me swipe on last night.” I scowl, feeling scorned over my embarrassing interaction with Ethan.
“I didn’t make you swipe on anyone. You did that of your own free will.”
“With your encouragement. I fear that this—” I gesture to myself “—is your fault.” I take a long sip of my new tea. “Thank you for this, by the way. It makes up for the bad date.”
“That was hardly a date, Riley.”
“It was a date for me.” I turn away, eager to start painting again, not eager to answer Jae’s questions. I don’t want him to get to know me. Because I want to get to know him.Jae has that kind of calm, charming aura about him. He had brought me a new cup of tea without even asking. He just brought it, not expecting anything in return.
Jae unlocks the door to The Red Kettle, and we stand in the entryway, opposite one another. We are like two cowboys facing off in a duel.Who will shoot first?
I look up at him. Jae is at least a foot taller. He looks down at me, his eyes fixated on mine. What’s he thinking? We stare at one another, but it’s not uncomfortable. His eyes are questioning and full of genuine interest, and I am drawn to them like iron to a magnet. I couldn’t tear my gaze away if I tried.
“You just need more practice.” Jae tells me matter-of-factly. “We’re still on for tonight, right?”
“I don’t have anything better to do,” I say, not serious, my voice almost sarcastic.
Jae pauses and grabs the door handle, and looks at me. He gives me a ferocious grin, and breaks out into a laugh. “Well, aren’t you just absolutely charming?”
