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It doesn’t bother me. I came here for coffee, not Callie.

“Welcome to Bramble & Bean. How can I help you?”

I look at the counter. A young woman is standing behind the register. Brown hair. Friendly face.

She's staring at me, which isn’t unusual. At six-four, I get stared at a lot. My resting murderous face doesn’t help.

But this… this is different.

Her smile is frozen.

Her eyes move over my face, hair, and shoulders. Then back to my face.

Recognition hits before she masks it.

Interesting.

I walk toward the counter.

Her eyes widen slightly.

I stop at the register.

She keeps staring.

I stare back.

“Can I help you?” she asks again.

“You already asked me that.”

“Oh. Right.” Her cheeks turn pink.

Something is off.

Before I can figure out what, she reaches for the register.

She hits a button. A tray shoots out and slams into her. “Oh!”

She jumps backward.

I stare at her.

She shoves the tray back in, then meets my eyes. “Sorry.”

I say nothing.

“New register.”

I glance at it. “Okay.”

“Still getting used to it.” She gives me another strange smile.

I don't believe her.

“Coffee,” I say. “Large. Black.”

She taps the screen.