Page 10 of Harvest Heat

Rhys accepted the drink and held it in both hands, seeming to enjoy the warmth coming from it. “It’s the perfect temperature.”

Warmth spread through Caleb’s chest as he nodded. “I did my best to keep it warm for you.”

“Thank you.” His smile weakened Caleb’s knees. It was the first time he’d seen Rhys look that happy.

Rhys took a careful sip, and his eyes brightened. “That’s… That’s really good. I would dial in the grinder to make a slightly coarser grind and relieve the tinge of bitterness on the finish, but I know your shop is not… I mean. Oh shit.” He closed his eyes and blew out a breath.

Caleb sank his teeth into his lower lip to keep from laughing as he took a step toward Rhys and laid a hand on his arm. He might have been offended if someone else said the same thing, but Rhys managed to look adorable while giving him pointers. “It’s all right. I know what you mean. Your shop is all about the science of coffee, and mine is a little bit more… relaxed.”

Rhys frowned as he looked back up. “I’m not good at relaxed.”

“Yeah, I kind of got that.”

“Shit. I’m sorry. You should probably stop trying to talk to me. I’m just a mess.”

“Maybe I don’t mind messy.”

Rhys licked his lips, and Caleb didn’t try to hide the way he was watching his tongue. He wanted to flirt more and see where things could go, but that was a dangerous game. Friendship. That was what he needed to focus on.

There had to be other hot guys in Frostwick Harbor, although maybe looking out of town would be better until he got his business off the ground. Hookups were all he should be looking for, and hooking up with Rhys would be a disaster. But something about the way Rhys was looking at Caleb told him he might be more interested than he’d suspected.

He was probably about to ruin any interest he had with his question. “So I was talking to Agnes⁠—”

“How was opening day at⁠—”

They laughed as their questions collided. “Opening day was amazing. I feel really lucky to have found a place here. The town is really great.”

“Congratulations, and yeah, Frostwick Harbor place is awesome—most of the time, anyway, when people aren’t all in your business.”

Caleb nodded. “I bet that can get annoying.”

“Yeah, what were you saying? I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”

“It’s fine. I talked to Agnes after the meeting last night, and she suggested we work together on our festival entries instead of each of us entering our own drink.” Rhys looked like a deer in headlights. “It’s just an idea. We don’t have to.”

“I… um… I’m not sure if⁠—”

Caleb held up a hand. He could tell Rhys was panicking. “Why don’t you think about it? You don’t have to make a decision now.”

“Cloud Nine should get the full spotlight if you win. I mean, I guess that’s what you’d want. I don’t think⁠—”

Rhys was interrupted by Tessa walking through the door. Her smile widened when she saw Caleb. “So you two finally had a chance to talk.”

“We did,” Caleb said. Things had gone more smoothly than he’d expected. Rhys had liked the salted honey cappuccino, and he hadn’t run or shut Caleb down absolutely when he’d asked about working together. It wasn’t like he’d expected Rhys to jump at the idea. He shouldn’t feel disappointed, even though he did.

“Did he bring you a drink?” Tessa asked, gesturing toward the Cloud Nine–branded cup on the counter.

Rhys picked up the cup, looking at it like he’d forgotten it was there. He took another sip as he nodded. “He did, and it’s… It’s good.”

Tessa rolled her eyes. “Of course it’s good. I told you his drinks were amazing.”

“Yes, but you—” Rhys cut himself off.

Caleb was sure he’d been about to criticize Tessa’s tastes and thus Caleb’s. That should annoy him, but once again, he found it endearing. What the hell was wrong with him? He was working hard to be warm and welcoming to everyone, but he shouldn’t enjoy someone making fun of his drinks.

He likes the drink you made for him.

That thought made Caleb’s smile return. “I should get back to Cloud Nine. I’ll see you both later.”