“That’s really nice of you.”
“What can I say? I love my job.” I glance toward the kitchen just as the bell chimes. “No Becky around today?”
“Not today. She’s preparing everything for Jackson’s birthday party this weekend. I can’t believe he’s already one!”
“Right?” I grin affectionately. “It feels like she brought him here just yesterday!”
“I know.” There’s a wistful note in her voice. She places my cup on the counter. “They grow up so fast.”
I wiggle my brows. “You thinking of having another one of your own?”
She’s been dating Chase Williams, the man who has barely stepped a foot off his ranch in the last few years. However, since she walked into his life, he’s slowly started to open up. He’s obsessed with her and her son, making her the happiest I’ve seen her since she came back.
Rose chuckles softly. “I don’t know. Maybe someday. We’ll see.”
“I get that. There’s no need to rush.” I pull out my wallet, ready to place the money on the counter, when a hand slides into my peripheral vision.
“I’ll take care of that.”
The familiar voice has a shiver racing over my skin. I turn on my heels, my gaze narrowing when I spot Damien standing behind me. He’s dressed in his trademark jeans and flannel shirt, with a white tee underneath. Light stubble covers his jaw, but today his eyes seem clear.
He watches me intently, almost as if he’s drinking me in, and I stiffen under his gaze. He extends his hand to me, a bouquet of pink flowers in his fist.
“What are you doing?” I hiss softly, so only he can hear me.
The rest of the café is blocked by his tall frame, but I can still feel people’s attention on us. The murmuring has died down enough to hear the music that’s playing through the speakers.
“I got you flowers,” Damien points out, his attention shifting over my shoulder to Rose. “And I’m treating you to coffee. I think this should cover it.”
Rose must have not taken it because the muscle in his jaw twitches in annoyance.
“You haven’t bought me coffee or brought me flowers in forever, Damien. There is no reason for you to do it now.”
He presses his lips together, his fingers curling around the cash as he drops his hand to his side. “Well, now I’m doing it. I want us to talk.”
Hewants.
Why am I not surprised?
Our whole relationship has been about whathewants.
“There is nothing to talk about,” I grit out, exasperated. When will he let this go? “We’ve said everything we had to say to each other.”
I turn around, effectively dismissing him. Shooting Rose an apologetic look, I quickly grab some cash and place it on the counter as I pick up my cup. “I’ll see you later, Rose.”
She’s nibbling at her lip, clearly worried, so I give her my most reassuring smile as I slip past Damien and go for the door. Everyone is watching us, curious to see where this is going, but I’m done being their entertainment.
I barely take a few steps when I hear Damien call out to me. “Jessy, wait.”
Dammit.
I walk faster until I reach the door. The bell chimes as it swings open, and I rush out. I barely make it to the curb when I feel fingers wrap around my wrist, pulling me back and making my coffee spill over the rim of the lid.
“Seriously?” I ask, yanking my hand out of his grasp. My skin burns at the sudden movement, but I ignore it. “What do you want, Damien? We said everything that needed to be said.”
“No, we didn’t. And since you blocked my number, I figured we’ll just have to do it in person.”
Of course, blame it on me.
