“Who’s that?” Nadine asked, staring over her shoulder at Zane as he started up the espresso machine to make the couple’s drinks.
Hmmm, interesting.
“Zane,” Emma said, removing her coat. “He’s new, but it’s like he’s worked here for ages.”
Nadine nodded, still staring. Emma couldn’t blame her. Zane was cute, albeit in a predictable way: tall and lanky with light brown hair and a half smile permanently on his lips.
The spurt of the steamer seemed to startle Nadine out of her stupor; she darted her eyes away and surveyed the small room, its black-and-white checkered floor crowded with mismatched chairs and its dark walls covered in vintage coffee ads.
“This place is so cute,” she said.
“It’s great, and they have thebestcoffee,” Emma replied with a nod. “Knightley and I meet up here all the time.”
“Oh?” Nadine asked, a tinge of something unfamiliar in her voice. “Did you want to call him? He could join us after work, or maybe—”
“No,” Emma scoffed, feeling indignant all over again. “No way. He hasn’t even apologized yet. Besides, he probably has plans or something. Apparently, he’ssobusy with his job and his social life, he can’t even—”
“Two beautiful ladies in my coffee shop this afternoon?” Zane purred as he approached the table. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Emma smiled up at him, stifling the last of her annoyance at Knightley to present Zane with a serene expression. “A looming thesis topic deadline. Thought we’d grab a cup of coffee in the hopes of getting some inspiration.”
“Yes,” Nadine said, smiling up at him. “Fill us up with some hot inspiration, please!”
Zane chuckled even as Nadine’s cheeks flushed, as if she only just realized what she said.
“And what kind of inspiration are you looking for?” he asked, sliding his gaze to Emma.
“The usual for me,” Emma said, nodding his attention back to Nadine.
“The same,” she replied.
He turned back to the counter and was barely out of earshot when Nadine let her head fall into her arms.
“I can’t believe I said that!” she said, her voice muffled by her sleeves.
“It’s fine,” Emma assured her. “He thought it was cute.”
Her head lifted, her expression hopeful. “He did?”
“Totally. Did you see how he smiled?”
Nadine not-so-subtly stole another glance at Zane as he worked the espresso machine.
“He is so hot.”
Yes. Why hadn’t Emma thought of it before? Zane and Nadine—it was perfect.
“He is,” Emma said, leaning forward. “I’m pretty sure he’s a musician, too. He always brings a guitar case in and hides it behind the bar there.”
That cinched it. Nadine sighed, no longer trying to hide the fact that she was now leering as he returned with their drinks.
He placed a mug in front of each of them, then turned his attention to Nadine.
“I didn’t catch your name.”
She stared up at him and smiled. “I’m Nadine.”
He held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Nadine. I’m Zane.”
