2. Theo #2
After giving both of them my usual polite but conversation-ending smile, they got their drinks from Kelsey, who put them on the front counter since she’d memorized their usual orders, and walked to their table.
But there was someone else behind them, someone new in town.
And for once, I did a double take.
Bright blonde hair with a heart-shaped face. Pillow lips that would be perfect to kiss. And a yellow dress that fit her perfectly.
Fuck. I didn’t notice customers, but she was something else. Just one look and I knew I’d be thinking of her again.
But I couldn’t. I refused to.
Instead, I took her in as she surveyed the shop. If I were lucky, she would be a tourist just passing through. Then I wouldn’t have to see her again and feel this way.
All I had to do was treat her like everyone else. That was my only goal.
I was about to tear my eyes away from her when Grace walked past. Instead of a polite smile, the woman reacted differently. She leaped out of the way, hands folded tight over her heart.
All I could do was stare. I’d never seen anyone react like that to someone getting close to them.
She spoke to Grace and Dean, but I could see the way her breathing kicked up and how she couldn’t stay still while talking to them. It reminded me of the day I’d moved to Strawberry Springs and had no idea what I was doing.
The exchange ended and her smile disappeared the second she thought no one was looking. When she faced the counter, it was back.
Though, her hands were tight on her bag when she got to me.
“There she is!” Kelsey said, appearing at my side. “You came in!”
“Hi,” she said, her voice wavering.
She was uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable.
Kelsey’s words made sense now.
My hand landed on the register. I was always nervous, though for different reasons.
The woman’s honey-brown eyes moved to my face and then down my arms. I couldn’t figure out what she was thinking. Was she judging the tattoos? Was my mere presence making things worse? Maybe I should let Kelsey take this order.
But then she got to my forearm and her head tilted. I knew what she was looking at. It was the one I got the most questions about.
“Just breathe,” it said, and it was a reminder for me more than anyone else.
I’d forgotten it was even on display. I always grew warm when working and my flannel was pulled up to my elbows for a bit of relief. I wondered if that was a mistake. No one in town batted an eye at my tattoos, but new people were always a gamble.
But then the woman took a deep breath and her shoulders relaxed.
“S-sorry,” she said. “Just a little nervous in new places. Your tattoo is a great reminder.”
“Sometimes I wonder if I should have put it on my forehead,” I said without thinking, lowering my voice so I didn’t make things worse. Her full lips pulled into a smile. “I forget to breathe often.”
Especially with someone like her in my presence.
“But then you’d only remember when looking in a mirror, and what fun is that?” She smiled again, and dammit, it was the cutest thing I’d ever seen. It was different from the fake one she’d just had. “So, what do you recommend?”
Usually when someone asked, I would make an educated guess on what they would like. I didn’t let anyone get to know me, but I was good at watching and learning what they needed.
But if I kept looking at this woman, I might explode. So, I said the first thing that came to mind.
“Black coffee.”
Fuck. Why did I go for the most basic thing on the menu? I should have said a latte or something other than my usual boring drink of choice. A few people came in for regular coffee, but her floral dress and denim jacket told me she was anything but basic.
Her smile didn’t falter. “You know, I do think I need some undiluted caffeine for the amount of work I’ll be getting done. I’ll take a black coffee.”
I blinked. There was no way she was actually going for what I had suggested. “We do have other things. Things that are more interesting.”
“What? Do you think I can’t handle my coffee black? I’ll have you know that I’ve pulled so many late nights that I don’t even taste the bitterness anymore. Just the notes. Good or bad.”
Late nights? She had to be in college. She was easily in her early twenties.
And I was well over thirty.
“Then black coffee it is,” I said. “Here’s your total. Need a student discount?”
“Haven’t been one of those in a while,” she said, shaking her head.
That was a relief, considering how I kept looking at her.
“Here you go, Piper.” Kelsey set her cup down with a smile.
I looked back at the woman, committing the name to memory.
“Thank you. It’s good to see you again. And to try this place. It’s . . . n-nice,” she said. I would’ve believed her if her voice didn’t shake. “Glad to have found a new coffee dealer, though.”
Dealer. That word sent shivers up my spine.
“Better than other things.”
Her smile fell when I said it, and I wondered if she was somehow thinking the same thing I was. “This might be off topic, but a girl’s gotta check. Are there any parts of town I should avoid?”
She had the same train of thought as I had.
Kelsey immediately laughed. “Uh. No. The only person who causes trouble is in jail, so the sheriff spends most of his time at the diner. Well, he did until the station moved into the new town hall, now he’s always there.
Unless you count fashion mishaps as a crime, then you might wanna worry about Kerry. ”
“Kerry?” Piper asked.
“Town gossip,” I replied. “You don’t wanna be on the receiving end of the rumors she starts.”
“Just the threat of her leaving a bad review made Theo hire me.” Kelsey laughed.
Piper joined her, but I had a feeling her real smile usually reached her eyes. Her knuckles were still white from where she gripped her bag. She only let go to grab her cup. I could see her hands were shaking. “Well, thank you both. Have a good day.”
I expected her to leave with how nervous she was, but Piper went to one of the tables in the back corner and sat. I watched the whole time.
“Ease up on the staring, buddy,” Kelsey muttered.
I blinked. “What?”
She raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t look away from her once that whole conversation. It’s like you were trying to see right through her.”
Shit. “I wasn’t . . . I didn’t—” My stammering was cut short by Dean, who’d returned to the counter. I snapped back into work mode. Did they need a refill or napkins? I’d be happy to help them with that.
Then Dean opened his damn mouth.
“Looks like you need some tips.” His smile was downright evil, and my stomach fell into my ass.
This was the smile I’d seen three times on various people in the town. Three couples had fallen in love, and I knew the excitement when I saw it.
And now it was directed at me.
“You saw nothing,” I muttered.
“Oh, I saw enough. And as the most recent resident to get his love story, there are some rules to try and follow. Don’t add to the population, don’t subtract—”
“Leave the poor guy alone,” Grace said as she walked up. She gave me a kind smile. “Sorry about him.”
“It’s fine.” I looked down at the register. “Nothing is gonna happen.”
I thought that was the end of it, but Grace spoke again. “My money’s on you being wrong. I guess we’ll see in a few months.”
They walked away, and I could only glare at their backs as Kelsey laughed too.
“They might have a point. I’ve never seen you look at anyone like that.”
“I could fire you,” I hissed.
“Oh, I’m sure you could. But I saw what I saw.”
I shook my head, looking anywhere other than where Piper sat. Three people had noticed me staring. That was three too many.
The town would be alight with this news, and I needed to make sure that they didn’t see anything else. It didn’t matter that she was gorgeous. It didn’t matter that I recognized the fear I saw in her eyes. None of it mattered.
I wouldn’t get close. I wouldn’t let anyone else see that I’d noticed her at all.
Things were better that way.