Page 40 of Harvest Heat

Anything?

Caleb stop.

All business tonight.

Yes and we should eat dinner on our own before we meet.

All right. If that’s what you want.

It might not be what he wanted, but it was how it had to be. He could not let himself get any more obsessed with Caleb. He was already in too deep.

See you at 6:30.

See you then.

Tessa stopped by for her usual morning coffee, but she was in a hurry, so Rhys managed to avoid any talk about the festival or Caleb or anything else awkward. What there was of a morning rush with Cloud Nine open slowed, and Rhys looked up to see Jonah at the counter. “Oh. Hi.”

“Hi. How are things going today?”

“All right. Steady, at least.”

Jonah smiled. “Frost + Foam is going to be fine. Cloud Nine isn’t going to mess up what you’ve built here.”

“I don’t want to talk about Caleb.”

Jonah raised his brows. “Wow. Did something happen?”

“No. I’m just… Everyone is talking about him. I’ve heard enough.” And felt enough and tasted enough. Ugh. That was such a fucking lie.

“Are you sure you’re all right?”

“I’m fine. Just busy.”

“I thought… never mind.”

“Do you want your usual?” Rhys hated how sharp his tone was. He didn’t need to be rude to one of his best friends, but he couldn’t stop thinking about kissing Caleb, and it was killing him.

“Yes. If that’s not too much trouble.”

Rhys shook his head. “It’s not. I’m sorry. I’ve got a headache.”

That wasn’t a lie. Ever since he’d texted Caleb, knowing he was saying all the wrong things, his head had been pounding. He made Jonah’s drink and handed it to him.

Jonah took a sip and smiled. “Delicious as always. If you want to talk, stop by the shop later.”

“I don’t… I mean, I don’t need to talk. I just need to get through the day, then go lay down.”

“Okay. Let me know if you need anything else.”

“I will. Thanks.”

Jonah raised his cup in acknowledgment as he walked out the door.

Rhys served a few more customers, then worked on restocking, but before he got far, Tessa came in.

“How are you?” she asked.

He really didn’t need everyone checking on him. “Did Jonah send you?”