Or maybe, she thought, the real complication was that after years of trying to avoid complications, she found herself wanting to be in the dead-centre of this one.
12
Her first glimpse of Spencer in a week almost had Clem jumping back in the Jeep and hightailing it back home, but after the shemozzle she’d made of reversing the coffee van into her designated spot at the market, Clem was loath to draw even more attention to herself.
He’s probably forgotten all about the kiss anyway,she told herself, focusing her attention on the job at hand. The October long weekend was the coffee van’s maiden voyage, and parking aside, Clem was delighted with how eye-catching it looked. A stellar run today would set the precedent for her new side hustle.
Selina raised an eyebrow. ‘Grammy Jean would never leave it parked like that. Even Mum could do better, and she’s terrible at reversing.’
‘Not everyone’s perfect on their first shot,’ Clem said brightly.Or the first few months, right, Selina?
Ian stepped out from the bright marquee next door, waving.
‘Need any help, Clem?’
‘All good,’ she replied. ‘Once we get the power connected, we’re right to go. How’s business this morning?’
Many of the stallholders were still setting up their gazebos and tables. From the look of the early birds already carrying laden shopping bags, the starting time was more of a loose guideline than a firm thing.
‘Can’t complain,’ Ian said. ‘Though I suspect it’s more to do with our local celebrity than our fine fare.’
Spencer emerged from the tent then, shaking his head. ‘Cut it out, Ian. One little magazine article and everyone kicks up a fuss. How are you this morning, Clem? Looking good there.’
He inclined his head towards the coffee van, but held her eye with a smile.
Yowee! The zing of chemistry swept a wildfire path through Clem’s body.
‘Good thanks,’ she said, feeling shy now. The grin he’d given her didn’t feel like a ‘thanks but no thanks’ brush-off. If she was the gambling type, she’d bet it was more of an ‘I haven’t forgotten about that kiss and I wouldn’t say no to another one’ type of look.
‘Roll up, roll up! I bet you’re here for the fabulous coffee, folks,’ Ian said, resting a hand on Clem’s shoulder and gently turning her in the direction of her first customers.
She snuck a look over her shoulder at Spencer—yep, he was definitely checking her out—and with a smile on her face that had nothing to do with coffee, she forced her mind into business mode.
Thankfully, Selina was more competent in the coffee van than she was in the cafe, and as the markets swung into gear, so did their rhythm.
‘You’re crushing it today,’ she told Selina when there was a break between customers.
It was the wrong thing to say, and after a morning of smooth sailing, Selina’s good mood soured. ‘I practically grew up in thisvan.’ And while the teenager was polite to the customers, there was an edge every time she directed a question Clem’s way.
‘We need more soy milk. Do you want to head to the shops, or can you handle things while I duck out?’
The look Selina gave her could have seared a steak.
‘Right, well, I felt like a walk anyway,’ Clem said. ‘Back in a moment.’
Clem rushed through the supermarket and was on her way to the checkout, her arms full of milk cartons and a Cherry Ripe gripped between her teeth, when Spencer appeared at the end of the aisle. Unlike her, he’d taken the time to grab a basket, which he offered to her.
She deliberated for all of a moment before unloading her goods. ‘Thanks. I was only planning on getting a couple of cartons, but my favourite brand’s on special.’
‘Sounds like something I’d do,’ he said with a smile that made her toes tingle. ‘How’s things? I keep meaning to call into the cafe, but school holiday mode hit me hard. Didn’t realise how much I needed the break, I’ve barely left the farm all week.’
He’d been meaning to call in? She smiled. ‘I’ll try not to be jealous about holidays. And if it puts your mind at ease, I promise the thing at the cafe last week was—’
A flush spread up her neck and onto her cheeks as she searched for the right words.
A mistake she’d regretted ever since? Or a sample of things to come?
‘It was totally random,’ she finished, looking up to see his expression dancing with amusement. ‘Don’t laugh at me,’ she said indignantly, her face hardening. ‘It was a mistake. One that won’t ever happen again.’
