Page 4 of Amber: Deja Brew

"I could make you something else,” I add, gesturing at the array of machines. “What about... a mood tea?”

Because then I’d know for sure if he’s secretly jealous of me kissing Chase. He may act all nonchalant about it, but what if he’s seething inside? I know I would be. If I ever caught one of my guys kissing someone else, my Mood Tea would probably explode.

"No, thanks. Coffee's good," Wes says, bursting my Mood Tea bubble.

"But why drink it if you don't like the taste?" I ask in confusion.

"Caffeine addiction?" Wes shrugs. "Can't really help it."

"Tons of drinks have caffeine that aren't coffee,” I tell him. “I could make you a Caramel Cloud Macchiato—it’s like Angel Coffee, but without the coffee taste.” I try to picture Wes towering over the small cup, watching the cotton candy cloud melt. “Or maybe a Peppermint Mocha with an extra espresso shot? A Frappuccino?”

"Honestly? I haven't tried any of them," Wes admits.

"You haven't tried any of them?”

“I get my coffee at the convenience store, and all they’ve got is premade and instant.” Wes shrugs. “I tried their Irish Cream once, but wasn’t really a fan. And we’ve never had a cafe in Silver Springs before.”

“You do now! And you can try everything until you find what you like.” I squeal, mentally going over the options. I haven’t a clue what Wes might enjoy, so I venture a guess. “How about a honey cream latte? Or a Pumpkin Spice? Bears love honey and pumpkins, right?”

"Oh, um..." Wes pauses in his cleaning and stares down at the dirty rug. "Normally, yes."

"Normally?" Chase asks, picking up on the odd answer a split second before I do.

"I'm not a fan of either, really." Wes hangs his head, like it’s some major flaw.

“That’s okay. I can make you something else,” I tell him. "How about we start with something simple, like a Mocha?"

"That's coffee and chocolate right?" Wes asks.

I nod.

"I do like chocolate. I'd love to try one. Thanks, Ambear."

“You’re welcome. And if you don’t like it, I’ll just make you something else. One of the perks of dating a cafe owner.”

My cheeks flush as the word dating leaves my mouth. This is the first time any of us have used it, but neither guy comments.

Chase slides onto a bar stool, and Wes goes back to cleaning. After a few seconds of awkward silence, I get to work. I make the Mocha for Wes, an Americano for Chase, and a Cappuccino for myself.

By the time I’m done, Wes has finished washing the floor and getting cleaned up. He takes the bar stool next to Chase, and I slide the guys their drinks across the counter.

I kind of want to sit down, too, but I'm not sure where. Do I grab the bar stool next to Chase? Or Wes? And will the other guy’s feelings get hurt? Maybe I should just bring the bar stool to my side of the counter? Or ask one of the guys to move so I can sit between them?

"This is pretty good, Ambear,” Wes says while I’m still deliberating. He gives me a slow smile, and my heart leaps. When he reaches across the counter and covers my much smaller hand with his huge one, that leap turns into a bound. My heart hammers so fast it feels like it might race straight out of my chest... at least it does until I remember Chase.

Oh no, Chase! Should I reach for his hand, too? Is he upset that I’m only holding hands with Wes? And why didn’t stuff like this worry me last night?

It’s all Chase’s fault. Why did he jump away from me earlier like he was doing something wrong? And then, why did he kiss me in front of Wes? If he hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be this confused mess of nerves. Nerves that make me jump away from Wes like I’ve been burned the moment his phone rings.

"That'll be the oven," he says, staring at the hand I just yanked out of his. For a second, I think he might say something, but he changes the subject. "How about I grab a drink for Julian since I'm heading up, anyway?"

"It’s nice of you to offer, Wes." I smile. "But Juli won't be up for hours."

"No, he's up," Chase says. Wes nods.

"What? How do you know?" I ask in surprise.

"Shifter hearing..." Chase taps his right ear, even though his left one is closer to the stairs. Shifter hearing must be that sharp. "Bunnies are good for a lot more than carrots, you know."

My bunny gives me a once-over and my cheeks flush. Since he wouldn’t take off his pants, either, my carrot count is still 1 out of 3. My imagination, on the other hand—

"He’s on the phone," Wes says.

“Huh?” I ask. It takes me a second to realize Wes is talking about Julian, and not Chase’s carrot.

"He’s on the phone at eight in the morning?!" My eyes widen, and I forget all about carrots.

Because Julian’s a total night owl, and everyone knows it. No one in their right mind would ever call him this early, not unless it was a serious emergency. Which means something is terribly wrong.