I had no idea how long I stood there staring at him until he prompted, “Josie?”
I jumped a little. My knees were still wobbly, and it was amazing I didn’t lose my balance. Thank God for the counter in front of me. “Hey!” I repeated
Tate’s eyes held a gleam. It was a little sly, and my belly flipped at the need banked there. “Good to see you again,” he said.
My brain finally stopped sputtering, and I let out a quick sigh. “You too. Where’s Kara?” I asked.
He tipped his head to the side. “School.”
“Oh! That makes sense,” I replied, feeling flustered. “What can I get you?” I asked just as Casey returned from the back.
“Good morning, Casey,” he said.
Casey smiled back at him before glancing back and forth between us. “Do y’all know each other?”
At my nod, Tate offered, “We grew up together. Josie’s an old friend.”
I was pretty sure old friends didn’t kiss the way we had last night. Heat bloomed on my cheeks, suffusing me from head to toe. I imagined this was what a hot flash felt like. I cleared my throat.
Casey slapped her palm to her forehead. “Of course y’all know each other! You’re both from here.”
I cleared my throat. “We are.” Good lord, my voice sounded all breathy. “Tate likes the rich house coffee,” I added.
“No sugar and no cream. I call that the tough coffee,” Casey teased.
Tate chuckled. “I keep it simple.”
Just then, a cluster of customers came in. Casey began waiting on them while I got Tate’s coffee ready. “Do you want anything to eat?” I asked.
“Are the donuts ready yet?”
“They are,” I replied with a grin.
“Those are amazing. I’ll take two, please.”
I was relieved by the distraction of other customers talking around us and the necessity of doing my job. I got Tate’s coffee ready and bagged up his donuts. When I handed everything to him, I felt hot and tingly all over. When his fingers brushed mine as he took the coffee and donuts from me, it felt like flames leaping up my arm.
“Good to see you!” I sounded squeaky and breathless. It was embarrassing.
When he left, I was both disappointed and relieved. Trying to keep my shit together around him would take a little work. I told myself it would pass.
I walked into the back to check on something in the oven. Something was always in the oven, especially in the mornings. But more than that, I needed to cool off. At the giant stainless-steel sink, I blasted the cold water and held my hands underneath.
I was drying my hands on the towel as I turned. Janet happened to be unloading a tray of dishes she’d collected from the front into the dishwasher. She smiled over at me with a sly glint in her eyes.
“Tate’s sure happy to see you,” she teased.
Heat blasted into my cheeks. “What do you mean?” I hedged.
Janet pressed her lips together, barely restraining her smile. “I know Tate very well. Just like I know you very well.” She must have seen the distress on my face. She set the empty tray down and crossed over to me. “Sweetie,” she said, placing both hands on my shoulders and squeezing, “I’m just teasing. I do think he’s happy to see you, and that maybe you both…” She paused. “I’ll save that for later. Let me say this. Why are you so worried if Tate’s happy to see you?”
I stepped back, twisting the towel in my hands. “We’ve been friends for as long as I can remember. But things were awkward when it all fell apart. It was high school gossip hell. His ex and my ex screwed around on us and got married. Tate and I can’t be crushing on each other. Talk about gossip.” I rolled my eyes as I let out a huff.
Janet twisted her lips to the side. “Sweetie, that is seriously old news. I realize it probably doesn’t feel like it to you. Not that I assume you’ve been obsessing over Kayla and Lyle. But you just moved back to town, and they’re in the middle of a nasty divorce. I remember the four of you when you were younger. I don’tgo around bashing people, and I’m the first to say we all get a chance to do better in life. But they hurt you both, and that kind of betrayal stings because they were supposed to be your friends. Maybe Kayla will figure it out now, but she always seems to want what others have. She’s learning her lessons now, and that’s okay. No one’s keeping score. If you and Tate end up together, half of the town won’t even remember that your high school sweethearts screwed you two over. Trust me, it won’t matter.”
I took a breath, considering her words. “I know. You’re right, I haven’t been thinking about it because I haven’t been here. Things like that tend to shape a person. Trust doesn’t come easy for me in friendships or in relationships. It’s nice to see Tate, and he’s a friend. That’s it.”
I started wondering if there was a fan nearby. I was burning up all over again.
A smile teased at the corners of Janet’s lips as she studied me. “He’s a good man.”
