Chapter 10
Matt
Having picked up a few items to provide temporary security for Mom until I can talk to Harry about setting up an alarm system, I go in search of coffee. Okay, I’m in search of Ellie. Let’s just call it like it is.
Pulling into a parking space, I acknowledge I’m both nervous and excited. Jesus. I can’t remember the last time I felt this way about anything. I quickly look in the rearview mirror to ensure I don’t look as anxious as I feel. Good Lord, this morning has given my nerves a workout. And it’s not even eight o’clock. Stepping out of the truck, I wipe my hands on my pants as I make my way to the entrance. Should I walk around, pretend I’m looking for something? I’ve never been in the place in my life, and now I’m here twice in less than twenty-four hours. Like anyone would believe, I was simply looking for something. Just keep your head down and get a cup of coffee, you nimrod.
I barely have both feet in the door when the overhead chime reveals my arrival, and I’m greeted with a robust welcome. “Well, good mornin’. Welcome back, Matt,” Jo announces from his perch behind the counter.
My eyes instantly flick to the counter where Ellie stands with her mouth shaped like an O. So much for keeping my head down. “Good morning, Jo. I was in the area and wanted to see if your coffee was as good as your chicken.” I look back in Ellie’s direction and give her a wink.
She frowns before quickly spinning in the opposite direction and making herself busy.
Well, that went well.
“I doubt the coffee will ever get the rave reviews of Elliot’s chicken. It’s just run-of-the-mill gas station coffee. Nothing special.”
“Ah. Well, I missed my morning cup before heading to work. So my standards are pretty low.” I chuckle nervously.
Jo lowers his paper and leans forward, dropping his voice to almost a whisper. “I have it on good authority, Ellie has some mighty fine chicken biscuits over there.” Jo gives me a wink, similar to the one I shot Ellie, letting me know he’s on to why I’m here.
“Good to know.” Giving him a thankful nod, I head toward the coffee station to make myself a cup before stopping by Ellie’s hot food counter. I need to at least try and make this whole coffee rouse seem real.
After pouring a cup of a dark Columbian blend, I place a to-go top on my cup and head over to where Ellie’s standing. She narrows her eyes, giving me a curious glance, which causes my throat to feel tight. Taking a sip of coffee to hopefully relax my vocal cords, I practically choke on the bitter taste.
A slight snicker escapes Ellie as she watches me, which makes me smile. What is it about this girl?
“Jo said you have a chicken biscuit over here with my name on it.”
“Oh, I do?” She teases. She’s wearing a deep emerald top that brings out the vibrant green in her eyes. There are little flecks of gold in her irises I hadn’t noticed before. But I’ve never been this close to her. While she’s matured, the heart shape of her face remains. And the cinnamon-colored tresses under her hair net have me wanting to pull the tie loose to see how it’d look tumbling down her back. “Is this for you or the crew?”
“Me,” I utter a little more boldly than intended. I hope she thinks this hunger in my eyes is for the biscuit and not her. But fuck it. What’s the point in pretending?
The doorbell chimes, and I instinctively turn to see a tall man with a thick beard walk in. Wait. Does he have ornaments hanging from that thing?
“Mornin’, Milo!” Ellie and Jo greet simultaneously. Must be a regular.
Turning back to her, I watch as the corners of her sweet red lips curl as she grabs a pair of translucent gloves and leans forward to open the food case.
I instinctively bend forward as if she needs me to direct her on exactly which breakfast sandwich I’d like. Yet as I look forward, the soft mounds of her creamy tits nearly spill out of her tantalizing green top. My mouth goes dry, and my dick acts like he just took a hit of that Columbian roast. I rub my hand down my face, trying to get my shit together so I don’t come off as a creepy perv.
“One or two?”
“Yes.”
Suddenly, Ellie is standing at her full height, giving me a questioning glare over the case.
Good grief. Am I having a stroke? “I’m sorry. It’s been a rough morning.” I lift my cup for added effect. “I haven’t had enough coffee yet.” Taking a sip, I wince. God, this stuff is really bad.
“Would you like one biscuit or two?” She says each word clearly and deliberately as if speaking to a child.
Biscuits. Not tits. How many biscuits would you like, asshole?
“Heck, give me everything you’ve got.” Yeah, that didn’t come off pervy at all. “I’ll try to bribe the crew to forgive my tardiness.”
She giggles, and my dick jumps to life again. Seriously?
“Oh. My. God. Is that you, Matthew Hightower?” The familiar high-pitched voice behind me equates to having a bucket of ice water poured over my body.
My eyes land on Ellie’s. They’re trained over my shoulder, and the playful expression from moments ago is now replaced with a death glare.
Rotating to face the uninvited female, I try to keep my cool. We don’t need a scene in the middle of Salty Jo’s. “Hey, Jenn. How’ve you been?”
“I’ve been good. It’s been forever,” she says as she comes in for a hug. She’s dressed to the nines in a navy and white pantsuit and shiny stilettos.
“You’re awful fancy for this time of day.”
“I’m a realtor. We have to be fancy whenever the phone rings.” She tries to giggle flirtatiously, placing her hand on my bicep, but it just comes out like a witch’s cackle. “I had no idea you’d come back to town. We need to catch up.”
Why? She’s overly dramatic about the entire interaction. But then again, she always was over the top. But I can’t help wondering if she’s putting on a show. Does she realize this is Ellie? I glance back at Ellie and realize she’s retreated to the far corner, busying herself. What am I thinking? Of course, she does. By the looks of it, neither girl has left Candy Cane Key since graduation. I only hope Jennifer hasn’t continued to torture Ellie as an adult.
I try to come up with a way to get rid of Jenn so I can return to Ellie when Jo steps up with a large paper sack.
“Tell the guys it’s on the house.” He smiles.
Wait. What? I try to get Ellie’s attention so I can at least say goodbye, but she’s gone.
What the hell just happened?