Chapter 10
Evie
The smile stays on my face until I open the door to my room and find Jace inside, sitting in the chair at my desk. I falter a moment but continue inside. “Hey.”
He stands up and walks over to me. I stay frozen in place when he leans down. Panic makes me turn my head at the last second. He pauses just a moment before he kisses my cheek. “How was work?”
I step around him, needing some distance.
“Crazy busy. Apparently, everybody needed coffee after the game.” I dig one of my notebooks out of my bag.
Since I got off a little early, I’m going to make the most of the time.
I need to go to the bathroom but feel weird doing it with Jace in the room, so I just wait.
My stomach growls, reminding me I didn’t eat supper.
But I ignore it; I’ll grab a granola bar from my stash in a little bit.
I climb onto my bed and open my notebook and take the cap off my hi-liter.
“When are you going to let me take you out on a date?” The question surprises me, and I look over at him. I was hoping we’d moved past this after our awkward conversation yesterday at lunch.
“I will...sometime soon.” He gives me a skeptical look, and I change the subject quickly. “What’s your favorite food?”
His eyebrows scrunch up. “Why?”
I laugh. “I’m curious. I just want to know.”
He thinks about it a minute before shrugging. “I guess steak.”
I frown. “That’s every guy’s favorite.”
“Then why did you ask?”
I dive into studying, hoping maybe he’ll take the clue and leave.
I really do need to study. After a little bit, he does.
“All right. I’ll get out of your hair.” He leans down, and I quicky turn my head, not sure what his intentions are.
He kisses my cheek and steps back. “I’ll see you tomorrow.
” He steps out into the hall and closes the door after him.
When Sam comes in a little while later, I’m deep in study. I don’t take out my headphones but rather, keep studying. But when she stops right next to my bed, I can’t ignore the inevitable. “How was your night?”
I’m not sure what kind of game she’s playing, but I’m too tired to play it. “Good.”
“I know you’re upset with me about sending you home early.” It’s not really that she sent me home early; it was the how. But I stay quiet. “I’m sorry. I’ve just been under a lot of stress lately, and tonight was no different. I’m sorry I took it out on you.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
She ducks so she meets my eyes. “So, we’re good?”
“Yeah, we’re good. Now go away; I need to study.” I playfully push her away, and she backs off with a smile.
“I’m taking a shower.”
I put my headphones back on and get back to studying, but I’m glad we cleared the air between us.
I study a little while longer and finally give in after my head nods for about the fifth time.
The door to the bathroom opens just after I change into pajamas.
“So, you’re going on a date with Jace?” she asks around the toothbrush in her mouth.
“Uh, maybe. How did you know?”
She takes out the toothbrush. “I passed him on the way back from the coffee shop. That’s so great. Jace is so hot, isn’t he?” I shrug. Her eyes go wide. “Oh, come on, he is.”
I finally smile. “Okay, yeah he’s a good-looking guy, if you’re into the whole black leather thing.”
“What girl isn’t into a guy that can wear black leather as well as he does?”
I head into the bathroom to finish getting ready for bed. When I come out, she’s on her bed, studying. I feel bad that I got to come home early and study and now go to bed, while she has to stay up late. “Do you want me to help you study?”
She waves me off. “I’m good; you get some sleep.”
The next morning, I’m up early for my shift at the coffee shop.
Sunday mornings are kind of quiet in the early morning hours at the shop, so we take advantage of the time and stock after the crazy last two days.
I’m on my knees stocking cups when I feel a presence at the counter.
When I look up, I see Zane smiling down at me. “Morning, Evie.”
I stand to my feet and brush off my knees. “Good morning, Zane. Want me to run through our list of specials again, so you can order a black coffee?”
The side of his mouth turns up. “Tempting.”
“So just a black coffee, then?” I ask.
“Yes.”
I ring him up. “Today, you won’t have to wait; I just brewed a fresh pot.”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
I turn away to get his cup of coffee. When I turn back to give it to him, his eyes follow me in that intense manner. “I won’t spill it,” I assure him.
“I wasn’t worried.” I pass it off to him. “Thanks, Evie.”
“You’re welcome.” When I turn back to the counter, I see his friend waiting to order. “What can I get for you?”
“Evie, this is Reid,” Zane says.
“Hey, Reid, what can I get for you. A boring black coffee, like your friend?”
He looks surprised for a moment and then cracks a small smile. “Yes.”
“One boring black coffee coming right up,” I say after I swipe his card. “Please tell me you boys at least add cream and sugar.” I hand Reid his steaming cup of hot coffee. Their faces tell me the answer, and I scrunch my nose up in distaste.
“Have you ever tried black coffee?” Zane asks with a smile.
“Yes. It's disgusting.” His low chuckle causes some sort of reaction in me that I don’t examine closely.
“Well, I beg to differ.” He lifts his coffee to me in a toast of sorts. “This is great; thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Have a good day.”
“Oh, we’re not going anywhere,” Zane says with a smile.
“Not yet anyway.” I don’t say anything but watch as they wander over to the table at the back of the shop.
It doesn’t take long for things to pick up, and I get lost in the business of the morning.
I’m busy taking an order when Sam comes in.
She catches my eye as she walks past, and I notice the scowl.
I feel my body tense, wondering what she’s upset about this time.
I don’t dwell on it, mostly because of the line that’s forming.
I’m about halfway through the line when I look up and notice a familiar face.
“Hey, Jace.”
He smiles down at me. “Hey, Gorgeous, how’s it going?”
“Busy.”
He glances behind him. “I can see that.”
“What can I get for you?”
“I’ll take a large, iced coffee with just a little cream.”
“Got it.” I grab a cup and write his name on it.
“What time are you done today?”
“One,” I tell him without looking up. I put the cup in the lineup and take his card to swipe it, but he pulls back, keeping it out of my reach. I raise an eyebrow at him. “Go on a date with me.”
I stare at him. “Seriously?” I whisper. “There’s a line, Jace.”
He doesn’t move his hand. “And they’re going to get awfully impatient if you don’t keep things moving.”
I realize there’s no getting out of this, at least not without making a huge scene. “Fine. When did you want to go?” I look up at him and catch his look of satisfaction.
“Saturday night. Eight-o’clock. I’ll pick you up outside your dorm.” He leans down, and I give him my cheek.
“What kind of car do you drive?”
He grins devilishly at me as Stacy passes him his drink. “You won’t be able to miss it.”
I don’t have a chance to dwell on the Jace issue, thankfully, because of the line. My stomach growls, and I remember I didn’t eat last night and didn’t eat breakfast this morning. I look up into a smiling face for my next customer.
“Hey, Evie.”
“Hey, Tessa.” I’m so happy to see a friendly face.
“How’s the shop this morning?”
“Busy.”
“Yeah, I get that.” She pauses a moment. “You okay?” Her voice is soft, so just she and I can hear.
“I’m good.” She looks skeptical, but I move past it. “What can I get you?”
“Mmm, I’m thinking an iced coffee—something with lots of sugar and caffeine to get me through my study session.”
“Do you like caramel?”
“What kind of a question is that?” she asks.
I smile. “How about a salted caramel iced coffee with caramel drizzle and whipped cream.”
She closes her eyes dramatically. “I think I can already taste it.” I laugh and grab a cup and label it.
She tries to hand me her card, but I shake my head. “This one’s on me.” I already put it in as my free drink for today’s shift.
She frowns at me. “Evie, you don’t need to do that.”
“I know. Call it a bonus for being my friend and suitemate.”
“Thank you,” she says gratefully.
“I’m happy to do it.” And I am. It’s nice to see a familiar face.
She hasn’t been in here since I started, and I know it has to do with money.
Some of us don’t have extra money to spend on things like a six-dollar cup of coffee, no matter how good it is.
I make her drink personally, making sure it’s made just right.
When I carry it back over to her, her eyes go wide.
“That looks so good.” She takes the paper off the straw and takes a long sip, closing her eyes as she does.
She lets out a low moan. “Ohhh, that is so good.” I can’t help the laugh that slips out.
She grins at me. “You make a mean cup of coffee, Evie.”
I give her a mock bow. “I try.”
“Okay, you two, knock it off. Evie, get back to work.”
Even Sam’s abruptness can’t dampen my smile as Tessa waves at me with a grin and slips out the front door.
Finally, it’s noon; and I can clock out for my break.
I take off my apron and hang it in the back and slip out the back door, taking a breath of fresh air.
I lean against the building and close my eyes a moment, enjoying the peace and quiet after the craziness of this morning.
I sense somebody and open my eyes. I’m surprised to see Zane just a few feet away. He gives me an easy smile. “Hi, Evie.”
“Hi, Zane,” I say automatically.
“Catch.”
My hands instinctively catch something he tosses to me. I look down at the muffin in my hand and then look back up at him inquisitively. He shrugs. “You looked hangry. Whenever I get that way, Reid always makes me eat.”
I stare at him as a smile starts to form on my lips.
There’s just something about this guy; I don’t even know what it is.
“Normally, I wouldn’t take food from somebody I don’t really know, but I’m starving and this looks really good.
” I start to unwrap it and realize my hands are almost shaking.
I didn’t realize how hungry I was until right at this moment.
“Hey, we know each other’s names; and you know how I like my coffee. We’re practically besties.” I shake my head as I take a bite. “What?” he asks.
“Besties just sounds funny coming out of the mouth of a guy like you.”
He just grins at me. “You didn’t deny it. Admit it, we’re besties now.” I can’t keep the smile off my face, even as I take another bite.
“This is really good,” I say after another bite. “Like really good. Where’d you get it?”
“My mom made them,” he says without an ounce of embarrassment.
“Well, please thank her for me. These are the best blueberry muffins I’ve ever had.”
“She’ll be happy to hear such high praise. What’s your favorite food?”
I finish my bite. “What? Why?”
He shrugs. “For next time, so you can eat more than a muffin.”
That sobers me up because I’m not really sure what I’m doing. I’m supposed to be going on a date with Jace this week. I keep it easy. “I don’t know if we’re those kind of besties yet.”
“Sure, we are,” he says right away.
“Evie!” I turn at the sound of Sam’s voice. “We need you back on register.”
I stare at her. “But I just started my—”
“It doesn’t matter. Let’s go.” I wait for her to turn around and go back inside, but she stands there, still scowling at me. I wrap up the leftover muffin.
“Okay.” I turn back to Zane when I realize she’s not going to leave.
He stares down at me with a look that’s much more intense than it was a few minutes ago.
The easiness that was between us just seconds ago is gone.
“Thanks for the muffin.” He nods but doesn’t say anything.
I turn and walk over to the back door to follow Sam inside.
She walks inside, and I follow her. Without overthinking it, I turn back right before the door closes and hold it open. “Orange chicken.”
His eyes snap to mine, and a slow smile fills his face. I don’t wait for him to say anything; I simply let the door close behind me. But there’s a smile on my face as I walk back onto the floor a few minutes later.