Chapter 13 Mateo
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Mateo
This was a bad fucking idea. Bad idea, bad idea, bad idea.
I couldn't do nothing, though. Not after seeing how Avery looked at Levi at yoga.
I knocked on the front doors to Evie’s bakery and waited patiently. The sky was still dark, the sun not even close to rising.
Evie’s familiar face appeared on the other side. Usually her expression was a slice of sunshine, but today she scowled at me as she unlocked the door. “What are you doing here so early?”
“I want fresh conchas and a coffee, please,” I said. “I’ll do anything for them.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be at the fire department?”
“Not yet,” I said. “And I’m on call. Don’t worry, our town is safe.”
She crossed her arms. “Can’t you get them when I open?”
“No. Pleaseeee, Evie. I’ll owe you one.”
Evie pressed her red lips into a thin line and regarded me with a look that had my insides shriveling.
Even though the bakery wasn’t open yet, she was already dressed to conquer the day.
She wore a bright blue dress with an apron over it, her pastel pink tennis shoes squeaking against the checkered floors as she took a step back to let me in.
“Who’s the special someone?”
“You already know.”
Evie’s brows shot up. She stared at me for a moment and then let out a long hum.
“But you’re not gonna say anything to anyone.”
She tipped her chin up. “I never agreed to that.”
“You will if you want me to keep your secret.”
Her mouth dropped. “And what fucking secret is that, Jimenez?”
I wasn’t going to say it aloud, because I didn’t need to. She knew exactly what I was talking about, because just like she kept my secret—I kept hers.
Right when Avery had moved back to Whynot, it’d been pretty clear I was pining for her. Our group had gotten together for an event, ended up drinking too much, and Evie and I had confided in each other.
For two years, Evie had known how I felt about Avery.
Just like for two years, I knew how she felt about Austin Whynot.
“All right, fine. I’ll make her coffee exactly how she likes it. But why now, Mateo?”
“Why not?”
“Oh my god.” She sighed, waving her hand to follow her. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Rescue me. Help me win the girl.”
Evie shook her head as she led me behind the counter. Even this early in the day, everything in her shop was organized and perfect. The scent of pastries warmed the kitchen, a rack full of them waiting to be picked clean by everyone in Whynot.
“I have so many questions.” Evie grabbed a set of tongs and pulled two pink conchas off a tray and put them in a bag. “But I’ll ask them later. I’m on a tight schedule.”
“I can make the coffee,” I offered.
“Nope. I’ve been making her coffee for years. And for better or worse, I’m invested in the two of you.”
“You’re an angel,” I sighed.
“You say that now, but if you break my girl’s heart, I’ll crush your nuts with my rolling pin.”
I winced at that vivid imagery as Evie handed me the bag. The coffee here wasn’t fancy like it was at the other shop in town, but it was good. I leaned against the counter as I watched her whip up Avery’s to-go cup, making mental notes.
Black coffee, a few dashes of creamer, three packs of raw sugar. Avery liked it sweet.
“You’re the best,” I said as she put a lid on it.
“I sure am. I expect full details later.”
“Only if you’re not saying anything to anyone.”
Evie handed me the cup and gave me a flat look. “Avery is one of my best friends, but I’ve kept your secret.”
“Austin is one of mine, but I’ve kept yours.”
The corner of her mouth tugged. “Except now you’re branching out. Breaking the rules. Taking her coffee and breakfast before the sun even rises.”
“I just need to talk to her.”
“Right. Talk to her. And this has nothing to do with the texts she showed me and June in the chat yesterday?”
I closed my eyes for a second. Of course she’d shown June and Evie our texts.
“Or the fact that you made a half-assed move because you’re jealous?”
“I’m not jealous,” I argued.
“Sure you’re not. You should have seen how the three of y’all fucking acted yesterday at yoga.
I know that man has his eyes on her. He can barely pay attention to anything else.
The only reason Austin and Dallas didn’t notice is because, despite their plan to ruin Avery’s dating life, they’re still guys.
” She shrugged. “Jealous or not, whatever gets you to make a move, I guess.”
“I like Levi, too.” My cheeks turned hot as the admission slipped out. Not because Levi was a man—everyone in our close friend group knew I was bisexual, just like I knew about their sexualities too. But because, well, I liked Levi and Avery.
Evie’s brows arched. “Oh?” She planted her hands on her hips and stared for a moment as the implication sank in. “Oh.”
“Oh is right. Now, I gotta go.”
“All right. Stay out of trouble. Text me later.”
“Will do.”