Chapter 40
Mia
T he evening rush is in full swing. As the line grows, I step in to help and realize I’ll need to hire more baristas soon. I’ve had interviews, and they’re all amazing, but it’s hard to pick just two.
While preparing a coffee, a customer calls for my attention. Suddenly, hot coffee splashes over my hand and shirt. I jump aside as the burning sensation hits.
“Mia, are you okay?” I hear Luc’s voice as he rushes toward the back.
“Give me a minute,” I tell Cyndie, my teeth clenched to contain the pain, as I rush toward the bathroom in the back. Luc follows closely behind.
In the bathroom, I immediately run my hands under the cold water, hissing softly as the chill hits my burning skin. The shock of the cold water offers some relief, and I glance down at my white shirt, now stained and sticking uncomfortably to my skin.
Luc, standing beside me, quickly removes his button-up shirt and hands it to me, standing there in his undershirt. He then turns his back to give me some privacy.
I struggle to undo my shirt, my hands trembling. Each touch sends a jolt of pain through my burned skin. My fingers fumble with the buttons. I only fasten two. The rest hang open because of the pain.
“I’m done.”
Luc turns back around, his eyes immediately going to my red skin. His brows furrow in concentration, his jaw tight as he examines the angry red marks.
“It doesn’t look too bad. Do you have a first aid kit?”
“Under the sink.” I point with my free hand. He nods, retrieving the kit and quickly finding what he needs. “We need to get something on this to soothe the burn,” he insists, his touch gentle but firm as he continues to hold my hands.
The bathroom door swings open again, and Jake walks in. His jaw tightens, and his eyes narrow as he scans the scene. “What’s going on?” His eyes dart from my half-buttoned shirt to Luc.
“There was an accident, and I dropped coffee on myself. Luc lent me his shirt,” I explain quickly.
Before I can react, Jake steps in front of me, pushing Luc aside. “Turn around, asshole,” he snaps at him, unbuttoning Luc’s shirt and thrusting it back at him.
“What are you doing?” Eyes wide with shock.
“My girlfriend is not wearing another guy’s shirt, especially not some French assholes.” He strips off his own t-shirt and gently pulls it over my head, his touch gentle despite his harsh words.
“I’m not your girlfriend, and he was just trying to help. You’re overreacting,” I snap back, my hands trembling as I adjust his shirt over me.
“You’re my everything, Moonie,” he says, his tone softening, catching me off guard.
Did I really hear him right?
“It’s okay,” Luc says calmly, trying to defuse the situation. “I’ll go help Cyndie,” he steps out of the bathroom, leaving us in a tense silence.
Jake lifts me up and sits me on the bathroom sink, his movements gentle as he applies some lotion to my burn. His eyebrows furrow in concern as he carefully wraps a bandage around the burn, his finger shaking. Then, he brings it to his lips and kisses it gently.
“Does it hurt?” The crease between his brow deepens, and his eyes narrow as they scan my face.
“A little.”
I’m still upset with how he spoke to Luc when he was only trying to help, but his words replay in my mind: You’re my everything . My anger cools down despite myself.
“You didn’t have to talk to him like that.” My words are sharp but shaky. “You owe him an apology.”
“I don’t owe him anything.” He pulls away from me, running his hand through hair. “The guy clearly still has feelings for you. Don’t forget that he kissed you.” He turns to face me, his skin flushed red with anger.
“We’ve talked about this. It was a mistake, he apologized and we've moved past it.”
“It doesn't matter. I don't want you friends with him.”
“You don't tell me who I can or can not be friends with.” I hop off the sink.
“Mia…”
“I’m going to check on Cyndie.” I cut him off and storm out of the bathroom.
Back behind the counter, the evening rush has passed, leaving the café quiet with just a few lingering customers. The air is lighter, though a bit of tension still knots in my chest.
“You, okay?” Cyndie walks over to me, her eyes full of concern.
“Yeah, I’m okay, and I’m sorry for leaving you alone,” I say, offering a small smile.
“Why are you apologizing? It was an emergency, and besides, Luc came to help.” She gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
“Merci,” I turn to Luc with genuine gratitude in my eyes. He nods, a small smile playing on his lips. “And I definitely need to hire more employees.”
From the corner of my eyes, I catch Jake walking towards me. His shoulders are tense, “I’m sorry about earlier,” he says to Luc. “I overreacted.”
Luc nods and says, “It’s okay,” in his French accent, his smile forgiving. “I get it.”
He pulls off the counter and steps towards me. “I’m heading out. Take care of the burn, okay?” His brows furrow.
“Okay, and thanks again.” He stares at me for a few seconds longer before turning around and leaving.
With Luc and Cyndie gone, it’s just me and Jake left in the café. I try to clean up, awkwardly maneuvering with my left hand. Jake approaches me with a concerned look. “Sit down, baby. I’ll get it,” he says gently.
“I can manage,” I insist, stubbornly.
He shakes his head and, and before I know what’s happening, he lifts me off the floor as if I weigh nothing. His muscular arm wraps around me, his intoxicating smell hitting my nose as he places me gently on the counter. He growls softly in my ear, “I don’t care if you’re mad at me. My job is to take care of you.”
I pout, rolling my eyes. He’s so hot when he does that, taking care of me, even when he knows I can do it myself (at least try too). Instead of resisting him… I cross my arms and watch him, doing my best to not bite down on my lip.
“I’m not even sure why you’re mad at me. I apologized to him like you wanted,” he adds.
“I’m mad because you don’t trust me,” I say, hurt lacing my words.
“You’re wrong, baby. I trust you, but the woman that I love is not wearing another man’s shirt. The only shirt you need to wear is mine.” His words are firm, but there’s a softness in his eyes.
It takes me a few seconds for his words to sink in, my heart fluttering into chaos. The woman that I love ; I replay his words in my head.
He stares at me, realizing what he just admitted, his eyes widening.
“You love me?” My heart pounds in my chest.
He takes a deep breath, his gaze locking onto mine with a fierceness that sends electric waves through my body.
“Isn’t it obvious? I’ve been trying to keep it to myself because we agreed to take things slow but seeing you with him… It brought everything to the surface. I can’t hide it anymore.” He settles himself between my legs. His hand reaches up to brush a lock of hair behind my ear, causing a tingling sensation to spread through my belly. “I’m in love with you, Moonie.” The raw honesty in his voice fills the air, thick and tangible, as if I could reach out and touch it.
Tears spring to my eyes, hot and insistent, and I try to blink them away. He looks alarmed.
“I…” Struggling to push through the tightness in my throat, I pause, and draw a deep, steadying breath before reaching out to touch his face. My fingers tremble as they brush against his stubbled cheek, the slight abrasiveness grounding me. “I’m in love with you, you idiot,” I confess with a shaky laugh, finally voicing the truth I’ve held back. “I’ve been waiting for you to say it first.”
His face lights up with a smile that sends little flips through my stomach. I’m smiling so hard; I must look like an idiot.
“Can you say that again?” He leans in closer, his breath warm against my face.
“You idiot.” I laugh.
“Not that part,” he says, his gaze intensifies, locking onto mine.
I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him closer. “I love you. I’ve been in love with you since last summer… but I thought you would never love me back.” An involuntary sob breaks through. I didn’t realize how much I’ve been wanting him to say it, and how much I wanted to let those words out, making them real.
“Baby, I’ve been falling for you since the moment I met you. I was too stupid to see it. But now, I’m planning on falling for you forever.” His hand slides into my hair before his lips find mine. This kiss is slow and deep. His tongue seeks mine, commanding and possessive. I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him closer and gently tug at his hair. I want to get lost in him forever.
“We need to close the store,” I mumble through the kiss.
“Hmmm,” he groans as he continues kissing me.He lifts me off the counter while kisses trail down my neck.
I close my eyes as a moan escapes me. I wriggle out of his arms, and he gently sets me down.
“My shirt looks good on you. Do you know why?” He places a kiss on my forehead. “Because you’re mine, baby,” another kiss lands on my nose, “Mine to love,” a kiss on my cheek, “Mine to adore, and mine to please.” He growls at the last part.
His lips find mine again, and his hands squeeze my ass before giving me a playful slap as I walk behind the counter to grab my bag.