My hands shake so badly I have to swipe my card twice.
“Are you planning to eat here?” I ask.
She nods. “Are you?”
“Yeah. Why don’t you join me?”
Her smile widens. “I’d like that.”
When the barista calls her name, I grab her coffee and hand it to her. She takes it, staring at me like I just gave her the keys to the kingdom.
I chuckle. “You must need caffeine more than I do.”
She arches her brows. “How so?”
I gesture to her cup. “When I handed it to you, the look on your face was… intense.”
She laughs and takes a sip. “You have no idea.”
When the barista hands me the rest of our order, I grab it and gesture to the tables. “Where would you like to sit?”
“How about that table in the corner? More private and less… loud.”
“Okay.” I follow her, trying not to stare at her ass, ignoring the prickle of unease that runs down my spine from her reactions.
I set my drink and the pastries on the table, then pull out her chair and push it in once she’s seated.
“Wow. Quite the gentleman. Your ex-wife was lucky.”
“Oh,” I wave a hand, blushing. “Isn’t that what all men do?”
Her face is blank. “No. They don’t.”
“Oh. Well…” I sit across from her and grab my coffee. “That’s a shame.”
“It is.” She takes a sip of her drink, her eyes locked on me. “Good thing she let you go.”
I freeze with my cup halfway to my lips. “What?”
“Your ex. If she hadn’t let you go, you wouldn’t be sitting here with me.” Violet’s bracelets jingle as she pulls the pastry from the bag.
“Oh, um. Right.” I scratch my collar.
“You strike me as loyal,” she says softly. “Very loyal.” She says it like she’s impressed. Like I’m exactly what she’s been looking for.
“Oh. Well. Um… yes.” I laugh, the sound awkward. Nervous. “You’re a good judge of character. I’ve always been loyal.”
“See. I knew it. My instincts are correct.” Her eyes don’t leave mine when she says it.
Wonder what else her instincts are telling her?
She pulls the croissant apart and takes a small bite. My gaze drops to her lips as she chews.
Why is that sexy?
I shouldn’t be this flustered. It’s just coffee and a casual conversation with a beautiful woman I met in a bar.
I definitely need to get laid.
