A Frosty Flirtation (Havenport #2)

Chapter 1

GINGER

The soft hum of the coffee machine is music to my ears as I wipe down the stainless steel counter.

The rich aroma of dark roast mixed with the warm fragrance of pastries filling the air is comforting.

If I could bottle that scent, I’d be a billionaire.

But for now, I’m content being the proud owner of Laugh A Latte, the coziest coffee shop in Havenport, Maine.

Morning sunlight filters through the large front window, glowing with the promise of another beautiful day.

I glance out at the endless blue-green expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, a wave of nostalgia settling over me.

With fall fading fast and the long, cold winter stretching ahead, the month of November always causes a mix of sadness and excitement for me.

But with it comes the magic of the holidays, the first snowfall, and the scents of gingerbread and pine.

I head to the kitchen in the back, pull two pans of freshly baked muffins from the oven, and set them on the counter to cool. When I return to the front, my friend Nina’s standing at the counter, her face lighting up when she sees me.

“Hey! I was wondering where you were.”

“Like I’d ever be somewhere else,” I tease. She knows this place is my heart and soul. “Do you want your usual?”

She shakes her head dramatically, widening her eyes. “It’s that time of year when I change up my order. I want a gingerbread coffee and a muffin too, please.”

“Oh, you’re a fan of special seasonal-flavored drinks?”

“Who isn’t?” she replies, then holds up a hand. “Actually, Travis isn’t a fan.”

I roll my eyes. “How shocking. The Thorne brothers would rather eat gravel than admit they like flavored coffee.”

She bursts out laughing. “Seriously. We should come up with a bet or something to force them to try it. One little sip and they’ll be hooked.”

“You haven’t even tried mine yet. What if it’s terrible?”

“Please,” she scoffs. “I’ve been having breakfast here months now. Everything you have is to die for.”

I shake my head and smile as I move over to prepare her coffee. “Well, I’m glad I haven’t let you down yet. Are you eating here?”

“Yep, I want some girl time.”

“Perfect.” I add a muffin to a plate and pass it over to Nina before setting her steaming coffee on the counter. “This one’s on me.”

She shakes her head before I can even finish speaking. “No, thanks. You should stop offering.”

“That’s not going to happen. One of these days you’ll accept,” I say, even though I know she won’t.

She slaps money down, her usual stubbornness in full swing. “Not gonna happen.” She flashes me a grin, takes her breakfast, and heads to her usual corner table near the window.

I turn to my employee, Alex, and ask, “You got this for a bit?”

“Yep, I’m all set,” she responds, offering a quick smile.

With a nod, I wander out from behind the counter and join Nina at her table.

She’s already sipping the hot brew with her eyes half closed in bliss.

“This is heaven in a cup,” she says with a sigh.

She tears off a piece of the muffin and takes a bite, letting out a groan.

“Oh my God. This is incredible. Where have you been all my life?”

“Are you speaking to me or the muffin?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

She waves her hand in the air like it’s a no brainer. “Both.”

I laugh, leaning back in my chair. “They don’t have good muffins in New York City?”

“No, they do. The food in the city is amazing, with so many options, but I still think yours are superior. This is next level.” She takes another bite, the enjoyment clear on her face.

“Wow, thank you. That’s high praise coming from you.” I smile.

“Don’t act like you don’t know you’re a baking goddess. Your muffins are one of the reasons I stayed in Havenport. Right below my grumpy harbormaster boyfriend.”

“Ah, yes. The grump who’s turning into a gooey marshmallow.”

Her smile says it all. “It seems I might have that effect on him.”

She’s not wrong. Travis Thorne has been a human thundercloud since his divorce ten years ago, but once Nina came to town, his permanent scowl disappeared.

“You definitely do,” I agree.

Nina leans in, eyes glinting. “Speaking of the Thorne brothers.” She leans closer, lowering her voice. “Travis and I are meeting them at The Sand Bar tonight for drinks. I told him I’d invite you and Willow,” she says, mentioning another close friend of mine.

My heart skips, but I keep my face neutral at the mention of the Thorne brothers, specifically, Jordan.

He’s the one brother I can’t seem to get out of my head.

I’ve known him my entire life, and watched him flirt with every woman in this town—even me on occasion—without a second thought.

But I know with me, it’s not intentional.

Flirting is as easy and automatic as breathing is for him.

I force myself to pause for a beat and play it cool.

“What time?” I ask, keeping my voice steady.

“Eight-ish,” she replies casually, but I can tell she’s studying me, looking for something in my expression.

I nod like it’s no big deal. “I’ll be there.”

I take one last look in the mirror. I’m wearing a new pair of jeans, my favorite suede clogs, and a light-blue sweater that makes my eyes seem brighter.

It’s not fancy, but this is about as dressed up as I get these days.

I remember in college, my friends and I spent hours preparing for a night out.

Oh, to be young and naive again, with no responsibilities beyond getting good grades.

And even that felt like the weight of the world on my shoulders. Boy, was I clueless.

I flip off the light as I leave my room and walk down the hallway. The television volume grows increasingly louder as I approach the living room. “Pops, I’m going to The Sand Bar with some friends. I’ll have my phone on me if you need me for anything,” I shout.

He swats my words away like they’re a fly, and picks up the remote, turning the volume down. “I’ll be fine. Have fun, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He waggles his eyebrows.

“Pfft. You’re all talk. I know you and Nan met when you were in high school and you—”

“Never looked at another woman again,” he finishes before I can.

I smile. “I can only hope to have the kind of love you two shared.” But unless Mr. Right moves to Havenport, I don’t see it happening.

He sobers. “Even though she’s gone, I still feel her. Seventy years together… that just doesn’t disappear.”

“I know, Pops. I think about her every day.” It’s been two years since she passed away, and I still miss her desperately.

He nods. “That’s the sign of a fulfilling life, when your loved ones continue to feel your absence like a presence. I hope you miss me half as much when I’m gone.” He grins.

“Don’t get sentimental on me. You’ve still got plenty of shenanigans left in you.”

He grins. “Damn right.”

I blow him a kiss. “Don’t wait up.”

“Be safe,” he calls out as I head toward the door.

“I will.” Plucking my jacket from a hook, I slip it on and step outside.

I double check the knob to make sure it’s locked up tightly.

I’m descending the stairs to the driveway when Willow pulls in.

The Jeep’s headlights are blindingly bright as I pass in front of them and then slip into the passenger seat.

“Hey, girlie,” she says, smiling.

“Hey! How was your day?” I fasten my seat belt.

She backs from the driveway and peels off down the street, the force pushing me back in my seat. “Not bad.”

“Are you sure about that?” I ask.

Her gaze briefly flicks my way. “Yeah, why?”

“Your driving seems more aggressive than usual.” And that’s saying something.

“Nope. But I did do some work on this baby.” She caresses the steering wheel.

“Did you add a rocket booster?”

She laughs. “Something like that.”

“Oh, jeez.” I shake my head. “It’s a good thing you know all the police officers in this town.”

She shrugs. “If they ticket me, I’ll just get the money back from them. I work on all their personal vehicles.”

I snort. “Nice plan. I didn’t think of that.”

A minute later, she turns into The Sand Bar’s lot and finds a parking space right near the entrance.

It’s uncanny how often this happens when Willow is driving.

I’ve learned not to cast doubt on her front-row-parking abilities.

She’s clearly got some mojo going on that I lack.

If I’d driven us here, we’d be circling the lot, looking for a space, for ten minutes straight.

As we walk to the entrance, the scent of salt water combined with seaweed is strong in the air. I hear the sound of the high tide pounding against the shore.

“Sounds like a rough one,” Willow says.

“Smells like it too.” I wonder what the beach will look like in the morning.

Sometimes the powerful current stirs up the rocks and pebbles on the ocean floor, and they get left behind on the sand.

I like to think of them as a reminder the beach belongs to the sea, and while we get to enjoy it, it’ll never truly be ours.

When we enter the bar, Nina raises her hand, flagging us down. She’s at a table with the four Thorne brothers. My eyes immediately zero in on Jordan. Dammit. Why does he have to look so good?

Nina slips from her stool to hug Willow and me. “I’m glad you two are here. I’ve been drowning in an overload of Thorne testosterone.”

“You should try being the only female mechanic in a garage full of men,” Willow says.

“I don’t know how you do it. All those strong, handsome men around you all day,” I tease.

She rolls her eyes. “Please. They think of me as one of the guys. And they talk like I’m one too. You don’t want to know some of the gross things I’ve learned.”

I tap my lips. “Color me intrigued.”

Nina titters. “Right?”

Willow shakes her head vehemently. “If I could erase them from my mind, I would.”

“Let’s sit,” I suggest. “I’ve been on my feet all day.”

Nina settles back on her stool while Willow and I take the unoccupied ones.

Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, depending on how I look at it, I end up next to Jordan.

He smells like a fantasy come to life, all rugged masculinity with a hint of something softer.

I can’t tell if it’s his soap, his cologne, or the mix of both, but much like a dog would, my nose recognizes it as distinctly his. And I’m doing my best not to drool.

Jordan turns to me, a slow smile spreading across his lips, making my stomach flutter. “Hey, G.”

“Hey, yourself.” I slip off my jacket and hang it on the back of my stool.

“What’s new?” he asks.

“Not much. Work’s been occupying most of my time. How about you?”

“Same. Business is booming at the dispensary, so I can’t complain.” My nose wrinkles before I can stop it. “What’s that look for?” he asks, calling me out.

“Oh.” A nervous laugh slips out. “I didn’t realize I was making a face. I guess I don’t understand the appeal of weed. I know so many people who enjoy it, but it’s not my thing.”

He leans closer, his arm brushing against mine. “So what is your thing?”

You? No. No. No. Bad Ginger. I mustn’t let his deep chocolate eyes derail me.

“Laugh A Latte is.”

“No, that’s your work.”

“It’s my dream come to life,” I say with pride.

“Right. Just like Thorne Buds is mine. But I’m asking, what do you do to unwind?”

One of my eyebrows arches. “Why do you care?”

“I’m making conversation.”

I glance around the room, buying time. “Have you finally run through all the women in town?”

He grins. “It’s like you don’t know me at all, G. I prefer the ones who are only here for vacation.”

“Of course you do.”

He shrugs. “At least I’m honest about it.”

“Oh, look at you owning your manwhore status.” I clap softly, tapping my fingertips against my palm.

“Don’t slut shame me. I’m single and I like to mingle.”

I roll my eyes. “Like you’ve ever felt shame a day in your life.”

Under the table, his thigh nudges mine. My pulse jumps. “You know I’d give up all the other women for you, G.”

My heart starts to race, even though I know Jordan doesn’t mean a word he’s saying. Prettily disguised bullshit flows from his lips whenever a single woman is in his proximity.

I pat his cheek. “Good thing you’ll never have to.”

No matter how much I wish he meant those words, I can’t let myself believe them. Letting myself fall for Jordan would be like handing him a handwritten invitation to break my heart.