12. Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Charlotte
W hat was I thinking? There was no way that Aiden would agree to this. Becky had thought my plan was genius. But I wasn’t Becky. I’d say yes to Aiden and this crazy wedding thing, but I would come up with another plan for the Christmas party.
Nodding to myself, I pushed open the door to Our Place , a bell chiming softly to announce my arrival. Nice. I’d found it easily enough. It was just off the high street, and from the looks of their social media accounts, it looked wonderful. High ceilings, leather armchairs, mood lighting, everything I could have wanted from a coffee shop.
I hoped that their coffee sucked.
I’d be pissed if Aiden were the one to introduce me to my next favourite coffee shop. Particularly because if it were a favourite of his, there’d be no way I could ever come back. I was a little early, wanting to be here before Aiden so that I could avoid feeling rushed to order under his scrutinising gaze. Glancing around, my shoulders sagged in relief when I didn’t spot his familiar scowl.
The space was small, but well decorated, the furnishings managing to make the space feel cosy without feeling cluttered. Warm mahogany and maroons coloured the interior, and the entire back wall was covered with bookshelves. The books called out to me like a homing beacon, and I wasn’t about to ignore their call.
Dropping my things into the seat of a plush leather armchair, I continued forward until I stood less than a foot away from the bookshelves. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling the comforting scents of old paper and wax. Reaching out, I placed a hand against a book in front of me, taking a few measured breaths and drawing strength from its spine.
I was so caught up in my private moment with the bookshelves that I almost jumped out of my skin when the loud grinding of the coffee machine pierced through the quiet atmosphere of the shop. With a last stroke of one of the spines, I returned to my belongings and pulled my card purse out of my tanned leather handbag.
I’d just settled into one of the armchairs, oat cappuccino in hand, when the front bell chimed again. I looked over in time to see Aiden enter the coffee shop and my mood dimmed. I hadn’t even been able to have any coffee yet.
He was wearing chocolate brown trousers, a light brown knitted jumper, and a marl brown knee-length coat. Shades of beige, but instead of looking bland and boring, Aiden looked… well, he looked hot. I chewed on my lower lip, watching him as he placed his order.
It wasn’t fair. He looked like a yummy cappuccino. Whenever I’d tried to pair different shades of the same colour, the colours clashed and I gave up—worried that I came off looking like a sad crayon.
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, smoothing out the material of my cream-coloured trousers as he approached the table.
‘Hi.’
He grunted in response as he put his coffee—black—and cookie—double chocolate chip—down on the table in front of me before moving to take a seat in the armchair across from mine.
I’d opted not to have a cookie, the idea of being covered in crumbs or having melted chocolate on my face while sat across from Aiden being decidedly unappealing. But looking down at the golden-brown sheen of the cookie between us, I regretted my decision.
Aiden shrugged off his coat, draping it over the back of his chair. He still hadn’t said anything, and I wouldn’t be the one to break the silence. Not today. Aiden was a grownup, and he wanted a favour from me. He could damn-well use his mouth words like a big boy.
I reached forward to pick up my coffee, cradling the large ceramic mug in both of my hands as I took my first sip. The rich, earthy notes danced across my tongue as I swallowed, the first notes of bitterness softening into something a little sweeter in the aftertaste. I couldn’t help my contented sigh—it was damn good coffee. Lowering the mug to my lap, I leaned back in my chair and allowed my eyes to wander back to the books.
But the sound of someone clearing their throat burst my caffeinated bubble of contentment and, with a scowl, I turned back to Aiden.