Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
“What am I doing?” Hands shoved in my pockets, I stand outside my jeep waiting for Phil to leave the house.
Friends go to town events. There’s nothing romantic about Midnight Mochas.
It doesn’t matter that I don’t want to be just friends, and she initiated a kiss the other day.
She made it clear this trip was strictly a friend thing.
There’s nothing platonic about the way I’m drawn to her, or how my body responds when she smiles.
I never knew my insides could melt like ice cream on a hot summer’s day.
There’s a delicate vulnerability hidden under those layers of armor she wears.
Each glimpse she allows me shows her growing trust.
It’s a new drug I’m addicted to. The front door opens.
She steps outside, and I know she’s trying to kill me.
The black sweater dress skims the tops of her thighs, cinches in at the waist, and grazes her breasts with its square cut.
Her bobbing headband makes me burst into laughter. Coffee cups serve as antennas.
“I found this in my closet. I couldn’t resist.” Her smile fades. “Is it too much?”
“It’s perfect. But now I feel underdressed.” I gesture to my pullover and jeans.
“I’m so glad you said that.” Reaching into her black purse, she pulls out a matching headband. “Brie isn’t here to wear it, so here you are.”
“I see. Is this why you invited me?” I hold the garish adornment between two fingers.
“No. It’s something every new townie has to experience.”
“You know that excuse will only last for so long.”
“Mmhmm.” She smiles at batting her long lashes like she knows I’ll always cave. Giving her a mock scowl, I put the headband on. She giggles. I place my hand on the small of her back and guide her to my jeep. I open the door, and she climbs up.
“Such a gentleman.”
“That’s the bare minimum of what you deserve.”
“Smooth talker.”
Gripping the top of the door, I crowd her space. “Facts.”
Her eyes are round.
“I want you to realize how incredible your mind is, Pepper. You’re a visionary with the talent to bring the images you see to life. Anyone who can’t see that has a problem.”
Her lower lip trembles. The pain in her eyes makes my heart hurt. I cup her jaw.
“I mean that.”
“Okay, Mr. Sunshine.” She sniffles, trying to look away.
I tighten my hold, tilting her head up. “I’m not the type of man who wastes his time lying. You believe me, right?”
Her watery gaze meets mine. “I’ve had a lot of false starts. Things always start off strong, and then just kind of peter out without going anywhere. I started to think it was the universe’s way of telling me motherhood wasn’t in the cards.” Her voice breaks.
I hiss, blowing air out from between my teeth. She flinches. “No. You would be a wonderful mother. The way you care for others tells me that. And I’ve seen how you light up when you talk to your goddaughter. Didn’t you tell me you helped raise her?”
Body trembling, she bobs her head. “I know it’s not true logically, but there are times I wonder, what if they were right?” I’ve never heard her sound so broken.
Pulling her into my arms, I kiss her forehead. She buries her face into my chest.
“My words won’t fix everything, but I like you exactly how you are. I love your drive and intensity. There’s nothing wrong with being passionate about what you do. And if you go a little hard in the paint sometimes, it’s a thing you can adjust.”
“So easy,” she croaks.
“No. But when things are worth it, you do what it takes. And make no mistake, you’re worth it, Philomena Joiner.”
She shudders, sucking in huge gulps of air. I rock her back and forth, allowing her to gather herself.
“I’m sorry about this.”
I pull back. “It’s okay. Whatever you need, I’m here.” I wipe away the tears.
“Why are you being so nice to me?”
“Haven’t you figured it out by now? I like you, Pepper. Why else would we spend all this time hanging out?”
She laughs. “Because you’re a glutton for punishment.”
“Nah.” I smile.
Inhaling, she straightens, wiping her face. “I’m okay now.”
No, you’re not. But you will be. I make the promise silently.
“Ready to go do…” I pause. “Um. Whatever one does at Midnight Mochas.”
She laughs. “Drink special coffees, eat all the snacks, and catch up with everyone in town you don’t get to see enough.”
“Well, let me get us there to join the merriment.”
“Big words, Mr. Sunshine.” She snickers.
“There’s my Pepper.” I kiss her temple, buckle her in, and walk around to the driver’s side. Climbing behind the wheel, I watch her cast nervous looks at me. I can tell she’s feeling raw.
Share with her.
I start the car and pull away from her driveway. “Remember talking about the investigation into the trial for mishandling flight plans when I was an air traffic controller?”
“Yes.”
“When it all went down, my fiancée, Kat, left and never looked back. We were engaged for a year and dating for two. I thought she was the one.” My voice becomes strained.
She places a warm hand on my thigh. “I’m sorry, Korren.”
I gulped. “I was engaged before, straight out of college. We had no clue who we really were or what the real world was like. She’s a wonderful lady, but we weren’t right for each other in the end.”
“Does she hate you?”
I laugh. “No. We still talk from time to time. She’s been happily married for six or seven years now.
They have two children. I like the guy. But I also envy her for already having the life we both dreamed of.
It made me wonder if I was the problem for a while, so I understand where you’re coming from. ”
“Do you think it’s too late now?” she whispers. “For a marriage and family, I mean.”
I catch the hopeful note in her words. “No. Not at all.”
I let her sit with my words. For a moment, I allow myself to imagine us finding that dream in each other; it’s dangerous territory.
I shove the images of curly-haired babies with hazel-colored, wide eyes away.
Dreams are fine, but they aren’t reality.
Turning on the radio, I recognize the strains of Savage Garden.
The universe is making it hard for me to remain rational.
She hums along, and I relax in my seat, lighter for what I did share.
Pulling onto Main Street fifteen minutes later, I’m stunned by the crowds gathered in front of Honey Moon Café.
“Holy crap.”
“I told you, Midnight Mochas is a big deal.”
“And here I thought you wanted to spend extra time with me.”
She glances at me. “Both things can be true.”
My heart leaps. Driving two streets over, I find a spot. Parking, I shut off the engine and hurried to the passenger side to open her door. I hold her hand, helping her step down. When she makes no move to drop my hand, I let it be.
“Tell me more about tonight.”
“Every year is a little different. They pick a theme for the drinks and snacks.”
“Do we know this year’s theme?”
“Oh no. It’s always top secret. The most popular items will join the menu for the next couple of months.”
“Smart marketing, I approve,” I say.
“Now that you mention it, yes, it is.” When we reach Main St., she releases my hand. I push away the disappointment. Last thing we need is questions about our dating status. We step behind a tall, burly redhead in a brown jacket with a leather cuff who towers over the smaller woman he’s with.
“Hey, Gus. Good to see you away from the farm for once,” Phil says brightly.
He laughs. “Glad to be out. Besides. This one forced me out.” He jerks a thumb toward the dark-skinned woman with curly tresses that graze her collarbone.
“Novi, how are the little boogers at the school?”
Novi laughs. “Driving me crazy and stealing my heart all at the same time.”
Phil cackles. “That’s how they get you. Novi is a fifth-grade teacher.” Phil explains.
“Gus, Novi, this is Korren Stormbourne. He’s taking over Reel Haven.”
“Just the person we were looking for,” Gus says.
“Should I be worried?” I have to look up at the guy. I can see his muscles moving beneath the jacket. Whatever he does, it involves manual labor.
“Not at all. Stop being so scary, Gus,” Novi chides.
“We wanted to ask you about the princess cutouts in Reel Haven. My daughter, Amelia Jane, has a birthday coming up, and she wants a princess theme.”
“Aaah. That was all Phil.” People continue to line up, stretching the line behind us down around the street.
“Really? You up for a project for the end of next month, Phil?” Gus turns to her. The pleading expression on the large man’s face is amusing.
Phil sighs. “I know how big your family is, Gus. Are you having it on the farm?”
“Of course.” He stands straighter. I hear the pride in his voice.
“How many are we talking?” Phil places her hands on her hips.
“Three?” His shoulder rise.
“You asking or telling me, Gus?” Phil asks with a laugh.
Gus glances at Novi, who rolls her eyes.
“Four. Three Princesses and at least one Prince,” Novi says.
“What she said. Prices aren’t an option.” Gus grins, changing his appearance from scary to kind.
“It’s a big job in a short time for one person.” Phil bites her bottom lip.
I can see that she wants to do it.
“I can help,” I add.
Phil turns to me. “Are you sure?”
“Sure. Let me use that minor I earned in the Arts.”
“Alright, Gus, you’ve got yourself a deal. When you figure out which characters shoot me the info, so we can get started.” She comes to life, talking things over with the couple and exchanging numbers. I’ll never tire of seeing her like this.
The church clock chimes at midnight, and the doors to the cafe open. The line moves. Inside, the shop is dimly lit. Black and silver candles flicker in candelabras on the tables covered in black lace tablecloths. Large silver chargers catch the wax runoff while adding to the gothic atmosphere.
People are reading tarot cards at tables lined up in the back.
The servers wear black velvet gowns with long bell sleeves that make them look straight out of the seventies.
Walking the room with silver trays full of different snack-sized treats, it feels more like a movie set than a cafe.
I read the labels next to the treats. Midnight Mocha éclairs are a masterpiece with their swirled white frosting worked onto the thin layer of chocolate coating.
“They shimmer.” Phil points to a Moonstone Macaroon done in black and silver. The Midnight Biscotti tempts me. Dipped in dark chocolate with silver sprinkles, it makes my mouth water.
“Looks like this year’s theme is literal.”
“We should taste-test everything.” She licks her lips.
“I’m good with that. Coffee first?”
“Of course, we have to wash all this goodness down.”
Grabbing my hand, she tugs me into the line forming in front of the coffee counter. We read over the temporary menu while we wait for our turn. A few moments later, we place our order.
“I think I’ll do the Starlight Mocha Affogato,” she says dreamily.
“Iced Silver Cloud Latte for me—same bill.”
“Korren.” She huffs.
“My treat, Pepper.” I insist, ignoring her as I wave the card I already pulled from my pocket in front of her face.
The blonde clerk laughs. “Got it. 10.45 please.”
I hand over my card, ignoring Phil’s glare.
“Next trip, I’m paying, Mr. Sunshine,” she mumbles, pouting.
“Deal.”
“Tonight, we have a special treat for everyone. Pay close attention to your garnishing.”
“What does that mean?” I whisper.
“I don’t know?” she whispers back.
Moving down the line, I watch as they pour an earthy-smelling espresso over vanilla gelato.
“You’re never sleeping again,” I mumble.
“Wow. I didn’t realize you were caffeine-conscious.”
“They drank it by the gallon at my old job, and the withdrawal could be horrendous. I learned from their overconsumption.” I grimace, remembering how jittery some of my coworkers were in the tower. Air traffic control is a tough job on a good day. Adding snappiness made for a bad day for everyone.
“Jesus, with that high-pressure job I don’t think they’d need it. Adding espresso to that situation is not a good idea.” She shakes her head emphatically.
I wait for further questions. When they don’t come, I breathe a small sigh of relief. Having my boundaries respected makes her even sexier.
“Oh,” the barista says, handing our coffees over with a wink.
I smile at the tiny arrow in the foam pointing to the left.
“Hey. I got the same one,” Phil says.
“It means there’s attraction. Funny how they’re pointed to each other.”
“Not funny at all,” I say.
“No.” A wide smile spreads across her lips.
We’re building slowly. This time I aim to make it last.