“One latte, no sugar, and one slice of chocolate cake,” Max said,putting the hot coffee and slice of dark, rich chocolate cake down on the newguy’s table. He thought he’d heard him introduce himself as Connor, but hewasn’t sure enough to address him that way.
He’d been in a handful of times over the last few weeks, but Maxhad never seen him before in his entire life in Hope Springs. He would haveremembered him, too. Probably-Connor was always well-dressed and well-groomed,and while he fit in just fine here, he didn’t quitebelong.
He would, one day. People were always happier when they moved toHope Springs. This guy just wasn’t there yet.
“I didn’t order cake,” the guy said, looking up at Max.
“I know.” Max smiled a small, kind smile. “But you look like youjust found out Santa isn’t real, so I thought you could use the pick-me-up. It’sthe last slice, I’d hate it to go to waste.”
Declan usually gave Max the last slice, which was a gesture heappreciated, so today he was passing it on. It’d build customer loyalty.
Not that the loyalty of a man who came in as often as this guy didreally needed to be built, but he looked sad, and Max hated to see anyonelooking sad.
“Santa isn’t real?” the guy asked, his eyes widening. A smilespread across his face at the joke, and it was weary, but it seemed genuine.
That was all Max had wanted. He couldn’t help smiling back. “Sorryto burst your bubble.”
“I’ve been trying to keep myself off the naughty list all theseyears for nothing.” He chuckled. “At least I still have unicorns.”
“Unicorns are definitely real,” Max said. “I’m Max, by the way,”he added, no longer able to stand not knowing this guy’s name.
He’d gotten to know all the regulars, if he didn’t know thembefore he’d started working here. He wasn’t letting this one escape him.
“Connor,” the other man said. “And thank you. For the cake, andfor making me laugh. I needed it.”
“You wanna talk about it? My shift’s pretty much over.”
Connor glanced at his laptop, and then back at Max, biting hislip. After a moment, he pushed the chair opposite him out with his foot.
Max sat down, glad to be off his feet after a long shift. He likedworking here, and he was grateful for the hours, but he spent most of his lifeon his feet these days. Taking the weight off them felt amazing.
“I just… lost a client. It’s not a big deal, but it’s beenhappening more than I’d like lately.”
“Oh,” Max said. He had no idea what Connordid, though he’dnoticed the stack of what he guessed were fashion magazines next to him. Therewere always a few with him, every day, and sometimes he flipped through themwhile he sipped his coffee.
Other times, he typed furiously into his laptop and forgot abouthis coffee until it got cold, then drank it all in one long draught.
He seemed a little weird and a lot distracted, but Max liked him.New faces always made him happy after growing up in a small town. He was gladhe’d met Ash and Declan and that they’d been good enough to give him a jobhere.
People in Hope Springs looked out for each other. So now, he waslooking out for Connor.
“It’s not a huge deal. I’m not gonna go broke or anything, I just…majorly screwed up about six months ago, and I’m still doing damage control.It’s my own fault.”
“You’ll fix it,” Max said, sure that was true. Connor had an airof determination about him. Like no obstacle was too big.
Connor smiled wryly. “I appreciate your confidence in me,” hesaid, sighing heavily. “I should let you close up, or whatever.”
“We’re not closing for another hour,” Connor said. “And I’ve doneall the cleaning I need to do unless someone else comes in, and my shift isover in two minutes, so… if you want the company…”
“Always,” Connor said, smiling again. There was a little morelight to it this time, enough to make Max feel like he was genuinely cheeringthe guy up. “I adore your hair, by the way. I keep thinking it, but I forget tosay while I’m ordering.”
Max touched his bright blue hair automatically, a blush heating uphis cheeks. “Oh, uh. Thanks. It’s, uh… been this way a while.”
His roots desperately needed a touch-up, but Connor’s complimentfelt genuine.
“Suits you,” Connor said. “Brings out your eyes.”
“Thanks,” Max said again, glancing down at the table. He’d neverbeen great at taking compliments.
