3. #2
I cleared my throat to give myself a second to appreciate that mental image and then stuffed it into the back of my mind so I could speak again.
“We’ve got to gather our thoughts on the last one,” I replied.
“I don’t like the nuts in it. They’re too . . . nutty.”
I barked out a laugh before I asked, “As opposed to . . . ?”
“Not nutty. Pecans or walnuts would be better. Maybe even pistachios, but these are just nasty.”
“Are they hazelnuts?”
“Yeah.Gross.”
“I thought the muffin was delicious, and I can’t think of a single thing she could do to improve it.”
“Let’s try this one next and see what we think,” Zane suggested as he picked up another muffin.
I took a sip of my coffee and realized it was almost empty, so I shook the cup before I asked, “Can I buy you a refill?”
Zane looked around and realized at the same time I did that there weren’t any other customers in the shop. As I stood up, he hollered, “Beer me, Piper!”
“Bite me, Zane!” the woman behind the counter replied. She smiled at me and asked, “Would you like another vanilla caramel latte, ma’am?”
“Yes, please,” I said as I dug through my purse to find my wallet.
“Don’t worry about paying for it. I’ll put it on his tab.”
“You run a tab at a coffee shop?” I asked. When he just grinned, I said, “And I thought my habit was extreme.”
“I work crazy hours, and coffee is the only thing that keeps me going some days. It can be any kind. I’m not a snob about it. I’ll drink sludge from a convenience store if necessary, although I really prefer the good stuff like I get here.”
“I won’t drink sludge, but getting coffee from a shop is a treat for me. Places like this don’t like kids making noise, and when I don’t have them with me, I’m usually sprinting through a to-do list of things I need to finish before I have to pick them up.”
“I can assure you that this place is kid-friendly. So is the bakery next door.”
“Here’s your coffee, ma’am.” The woman, Piper, set a paper cup in front of me before she put one in front of Zane. I was about to take a sip when she said, “I promise I didn’t spit in yours.”
“Stop it. You’re scaring her,” Zane chided before he raised his cup. He grinned at Piper before he said, “You make the best tainted coffee in town, Piper.”
She pulled a chair over from another table and sat down before she explained, “I would never do something as disgusting as spit in a customer’s coffee.”
“Even she’s not that horrible.”
Piper smiled at Zane before she looked back at me and said, “Although, he’s not technically a customer.”
“I ain’t afraid. I’ve eaten some rank shit in my day, and as long as everything tastes this good, keep spitting in my coffee, Pipes. It will probably just build my immunity.”
I hesitated to take a sip of my coffee because someone spitting in my food or drink at a restaurant was a real fear for me.
I had worked as a server through college, and I knew what went on behind the swinging doors of a commercial kitchen.
But the banter between the two assured me that my drink here was safe, so I took a hesitant sip.
“Her spit is delicious, isn’t it?” Zane asked with a grin.
“Why are you sitting here with him? Is he bothering you?” Piper asked.
“If he was, what would you do about it?”
“Kick his ass, and then call his mama to tattle on him,” Piper answered with a sugary sweet smile. “I’m not sure which would hurt worse, so I’m willing to try both.”
“He’s not bothering me, but I’ll keep your ideas in mind in case he starts,” I assured her.
“What are we eating?” Piper asked as she inspected the tray. “Ooh! Is that the orange hazelnut muffin she’s been working on? I love that one.”
“I do, too, but the weirdo over there doesn’t like hazelnuts.”
“He’s a pecan junkie,” Piper explained.
“Do you bother all the customers, or is it just me?”
Piper smiled at Zane before she said, “I only seem to bother the most annoying.”
“Piper is my cousin, so I’ve known her since she was born. She’s always been a little shit.”
“Our dads are brothers and our moms are best friends, so we’ve been forced to put up with each other our entire lives,” Piper explained.
“Your moms are best friends?” I asked.
“Since high school,” Zane said before he took a bite of muffin. “They’re nuts.”
“There’s a third one too. Aunt Steph may seem like the most normal of the three, but it’s all a facade. They’re all equally crazy.”
“Does she have kids?” I asked.
Piper nodded before she said, “Sophie’s a few years older than us, but Fallon and Zane are close in age.”
“Fallon?” I asked.
“Fallon Jacobs. She’s a nurse at . . .”
“She works at my doctor’s office!” I interrupted. “I love her!”
“She’s a pain in my ass too,” Zane grumbled as he stared at Piper pointedly. “Go. Away.”
“Am I blocking your game, Zaney Waney?” Piper asked.
“You’re really not,” I assured her. “He’s been very charming and even shared his food with me, which is a plus. He’s only got points in the positive column so far, but if you’d like to give me some insight otherwise, feel free.”
“Oh, I’ve got stories.”
“So do I, Piper darlin’,” Zane said as he leaned closer to her.
His bright green eyes were unblinking as he held her stare until she leaned back and whispered, “What do you know?”
“Everything,” he whispered menacingly.
“Well, I’ve gotta get back to work! I hope that both of you enjoy the rest of your coffee. If you’d like another refill, just yell!”
I didn’t even have a chance to respond before Piper was gone. She went through a set of swinging doors and disappeared.
“What was that about?”
“One thing about having a close family is that even when you think something’s a well-guarded secret, it’s really not.”
“You just blackmailed her into leaving us alone?”
“I did, and I’m not even ashamed.”
I burst out laughing and said, “Impressive. I’ve really liked talking to you too.”
“As much as I hate to say this, I’m going to have to go soon. I’ve got to get some sleep. It looks like tonight is going to be a late one.”
I was surprised to see how sad he seemed to be at the prospect of ending our time together, so I pushed my fear aside and asked, “Can we do this again sometime?”
“I’d love to. May I have your number?”
Yes, Mr. Duke, you may - and I’m going to shave my legs every single morning from now on just in case there’s anything else you may want.