Page 12 of Harvest Heat

“For you, but for me, it was perfect.”

She smiled. “Exactly, and I don’t think this is even on the menu.”

Why did he feel like he’d just trapped himself? “Are you sure?”

“Yes, though he does have an option called Caleb’s Choice where he makes the drink he thinks you’ll like.”

Rhys shuddered. The thought of making up a drink right when someone walked in was horrifying. He needed things planned in advance.

“Just think about his offer.” She glanced at her phone. “I’d better get my coffee and get back to work. I left Finn on his own.”

“You want me to make you a coffee?”

“Of course. Isn’t that why I come by every morning?”

It was, and Rhys loved that her visit just before he opened was part of his morning routine. “You don’t want to get one at Cloud Nine instead?”

“No. I might stop by there later, but I want to start my day with the coffee you’ve perfected for me.”

Her statement helped ease some of the tension in Rhys’s body, and making a drink for her helped him feel even more settled. It was calming to do something he had control over. “Here you go.”

She accepted the paper cup from him and breathed deeply, taking in the rich scent. “Perfect.”

“Yes.”

She grinned. “I love that you own your coffee skills. Now, promise me you’ll think about what Caleb said.”

“I promise.” He didn’t think of much else all day, except when he was blissfully distracted by making coffee for his customers.

Business was always slow during the afternoon, but it seemed even worse than usual—probably thanks to Cloud Nine drawing all the customers. Rhys rested his chin on his hand and stared out the window, trying to imagine what it would be like to develop a drink with Caleb.

Working next to him at the counter. Brushing against his big body like when he’d caught Rhys the night before. How would he concentrate with Caleb so close? It had taken him ages to get comfortable with Sam being in the shop with him during morning rush, and they were quiet and calm and didn’t make him feel like he was all lit up and buzzing inside.

Caleb was all loud and talkative, and he’d ask questions and want to talk about things other than coffee. Rhys would have to remember how to talk while trying to measure and time things to make their entry perfect. No way could that work.

And he’d end up embarrassing himself. He hadn’t even thought to offer Caleb a drink after he brought one for Rhys. That was just basic courtesy. There was no way in hell Rhys could work with him on a drink. He would be a mess. The way things usually went when he was around Caleb, he’d probably break all their equipment.

He needed to let Caleb know his decision as soon as possible. Once he closed for the day, he’d take Caleb a drink and tell him they’d be better off making their own entries for the festival. He could do that. Probably.

Rhys tossed out two cups of coffee before he made one perfect enough to take to Caleb. He made Caleb a latte with a lighter espresso roast than what Rhys preferred, and then he added a little sugar, topped it off with lots of wet foam, and sprinkled it with cinnamon and chocolate bits. He hoped he’d chosen right.

As he locked the door of Frost + Foam, his hands were shaking so hard he worried he might drop the cup. As he walked down the street, he went over what he planned to say in his mind. Somehow, he managed to get to the door of Cloud Nine without having to talk to anyone. At least something was going right.

When Rhys pushed on the door, it didn’t budge. Caleb had already locked up. He stood there awkwardly for a moment, then knocked, hoping Caleb hadn’t already gone upstairs to his apartment. He appeared from the back almost immediately and smiled when he saw Rhys.

“Am I bothering you?” Rhys asked when Caleb opened the door.

“No. Not at all. I’m just cleaning up.”

He held the drink out. “I brought you this.”

Caleb’s smile widened. “Thank you.” He was already tasting it before Rhys had a chance to tell him what it was.

He couldn’t help but stare at Caleb’s throat as he swallowed. Did he have to be so alluring? It was like everything he did was sexy. He groaned, and Rhys’s knees threatened to give out.

“That’s really good. You’re very talented.”

Rhys tried his best to say something in return, but all he managed to do was nod.