Commuters ordered coffee to go. Students camped with laptops. Regulars defended their territory like it was a sovereign nation.
Footsteps approached the counter.
Lucy stood and called from their table. “Morning. What can I get you?”
“A dozen assorted danish for the office. Whatever you recommend.”
Tessa glanced up.
Gabriel Sterling stood at the counter in a charcoal suit, with a white shirt, and a tie loosened the way he always loosened it on the walk somewhere. He held his phone in one hand and his wallet in the other. He looked like he belonged behind smoked glass and security badges, not standing in line for blueberry scones.
He hadn’t seen her yet.
“Gabriel.” Lucy’s voice carried the particular edge she reserved for men who needed watching. “Devney’s usual order?”
He glanced at Lucy, and then his gaze found the corner table.
“Tessa.”
“Hi.”
He walked over and stopped at the edge of it, close enough that she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes.
Lucy crossed her arms. “Is this an accident or on purpose?”
Gabriel didn’t hesitate. “I volunteered to pick up Devney’s order. Practically fought Knox for it.”
The hard line of Lucy’s mouth softened by half. “You fought your business partner for pastry duty.”
“It seemed important.”
“Sit.” Lucy waved toward the empty chair, and the edge in her voice gentled. “I’ll get you a danish while I box up the rest.”
“You don’t have to?—“
“Consider it a reward for honesty. It’s rarer than you’d think.” She walked back to the counter before either of them could argue.
Gabriel turned to Tessa. “May I sit?”
“Yes.”
He slid into the chair Lucy had vacated. Not across. Beside. His shoulder pressed against hers when he settled.
“You’re picking up Devney’s order.”
“I texted her this morning and told her I was in the neighborhood. She asked if I could grab it.”
“You just happened to be in Park Slope.”
“I had a meeting nearby.”
“At eight thirty on a Monday morning.”
“Yes.”
“That’s convenient.”
He grinned. “Isn’t it?”
