Page 6 of Harvest Heat

He didn’t bother to read Tessa’s lengthy text. He just typed, I’m okay. I need to focus on the shop. She sent a heart in reply,

Rhys stood as he took a deep breath and wiped a few tears from his eyes. He was absolutely not going to let any of his customers see him crying. He forced himself to smile, because he needed to look like he didn’t feel defeated, like he believed in his business, no matter how happy everyone looked at Cloud Nine or how personable Caleb was or how he was so damn hot Rhys felt a flutter in his chest every time he saw him.

But maybe other people did see him like that?

Rhys sighed. Who was he kidding? You’d have to be an idiot not to see how amazing Caleb was, physically and otherwise. But not everyone wanted drinks overflowing with whipped cream and made sickly sweet with syrup. Some people wanted Rhys’s not-at-all-boring coffee, so he needed to take the sign off the door and get back to making it, including a cup for himself of his favorite Peruvian roast.

Rhys had enough of a lunchtime rush to take his mind off the way he’d embarrassed himself at Cloud Nine, and no one said anything to him about it, though he was sure many of his customers knew about the incident. Once things slowed down again, he got his lunch from the back. Every day, he packed a sandwich—usually peanut butter and strawberry jam, but occasionally chicken salad—chips, and an apple. When he worked alone, he quickly ate behind the counter, hoping no one would come in and see him looking so unprofessional.

Today, he got halfway through his sandwich before Tessa walked in.

He shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Okay, but are you coming to the meeting tonight?”

He sat his sandwich down, no longer feeling hungry. He’d completely forgotten about the “emergency” meeting for the business owners’ association. “Will Caleb be there?”

Tessa gave him a soft smile. “I would assume so.”

“Then no, I’m not going.”

She laid a hand over his. “Yes, you are. You can’t hide from him forever.”

“That’s what you said this morning, and look what happened.”

“He wished you’d stayed. He wasn’t upset at all.”

Rhys huffed. “He just said that to be nice.”

“Have you considered that maybe he is nice?” Tessa asked as she stole one of Rhys’s chips.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m not nice.” He turned the chip bag toward her, offering her more.

She grabbed another chip as she said, “You are nice. You just need time to adjust to new things.”

“I don’t know what to say to him.”

“Would it help you to practice?”

Tessa was such a good friend, but he didn’t want to have to practice what he was going to say. He wanted to just know. He ran a hand through his hair and blew out a long breath. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

Tessa glanced over her shoulder toward the door. I don’t see anyone coming, so go ahead.”

“Now?”

“Yes, now. I’m on my lunch break, and the meeting is right after we close.”

Rhys checked the door too before rolling his eyes, then saying, “Hi. I’m Rhys.”

“Good start.”

He glared at her. “That’s not what he would say back.”

“Oh, right. Let me get into my role.” She cleared her throat, then said, “I’m Caleb. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

“Um… yeah. It’s, um… nice.” Rhys shook his head. “This isn’t going to work.”

“Yes, it is. Maybe next you could ask him about his opening day or about moving here.”