Chapter 22 Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn
My attention splits between watching my phone, watching the clock, and watching the front door all morning. I couldn’t even tell you what orders came through or the customers, I just hope I didn’t mess anything up.
My thoughts are currently preoccupied with images of Logan and what we did in my kitchen last night.
Nothing else happened beyond that final kiss, though I have to admit I found myself trying to rub against him like a dog in heat again.
And if he didn’t put an end to it, pulling away with a pained expression I know mirrored my own, I can’t help wondering how far I would have taken that slip up.
“Mom wants to go into the city to look for dresses. Their thrift stores have to be better stocked than Vinnie’s Vintage.”
“Sounds good,” I mumble in response to Piper.
“I think we should splurge on the masks, though. But we can determine if it’s in the budget after we find the perfect dress.”
“Whatever you say.”
“I think I’m going to dye my hair bright pink for it.”
“Sure thing, Pipes.”
A bundled up napkin bounces off my cheek and bounces down the counter. I jolt upright, whirling on my best friend . “What was that for?”
“Just making sure you are still with me. You didn’t hear a word I just said, did you?”
I nod, racking my brain for what she could have brought up, until I give it up on a sigh. “Sorry, Pipes. What were you saying?”
“That Mom wants to go dress shopping in the city for the ball and that I was going to dye my hair pink, which you gave the green light so–-hey now!” She giggles as I lob the balled up napkin back at her.
“I wasn’t the one with the thousand-yard stare, cleaning the same spot on the counter for the last five minutes. ”
I look down to where my hand rested on the cleaning rag, poised for one more swipe around the espresso machine which was already spotless.
Releasing the rag back into it’s hidden spot under the counter, I wipe my hands on my apron.
“Yes, to the dress shopping and the masks. See, I was listening. Kind of.”
“Perfect. And I was joking about the pink hair.”
I roll my eyes, but grin at my friend.
“Now tell me what’s got you sidetracked before we get busy again.”
I sigh, leaning against the back counter to keep an eye on the dining room and the front door.
I didn’t need anyone overhearing what I was about to tell Piper.
A couple sat in the far corner, pouring over a trail map with excited expressions.
We had talked to them when they ordered and they said it was their first anniversary trip, they would be in town for the next few days hitting up all the local trails.
Piper and I were taking bets to see if they got engaged before they left.
I said no, they were enjoying their still blossoming relationship.
Piper thinks yes thanks to the fresh manicure the girl was sporting.
“It’s OPI Bubble Bath. I clocked it the second she walked in,” Piper told me matter of factly.
She could spot a nail color from a mile away and tell you exactly why they picked it.
A gift she has picked up over the years of practically living in her mother’s salon.
I absently pick at my Lincoln Park After Dark, wondering what they meant for the season of life I’m in.
Definitely not engagement, that’s for sure.
The other patrons that had been lingering left a few minutes ago, so the coast was clear to spill the beans.
“Logan stopped by last night.”
“And that has you spacey because you stayed up all night thinking about what you want to do to him?” She laughs as she straightens the tower of cold cups next to her.
“Actually…”
“Oh my god, did you actually do something?!” Piper shrieks loud enough that the couple pops their heads up to look at the commotion. I wave toward them with a smile before turning back to Piper who is practically vibrating like an overexcited puppy that just heard the word walk.
“Um…We may have kissed,” I say as nonchalantly as possible.
“You definitely kissed. Please tell me everything! How was it? Was it amazing?” She gasps with wide eyes. “Oh my God, don’t tell me it was awful. Why is it the hot ones are the ones that are shit kissers?”
“He most definitely is not a shit kisser.” I can feel the blush blooming over my cheeks. I know it’s overtaking me as Piper’s eyes glisten with mischief and her jaw drops.
She snaps her fingers, pointing at me with a “Gotcha” expression. “It was more than a kiss.”
“Psh,” I roll my eyes. “It was not.”
I fidget with the strings of my apron. Tying and retying to keep my best friend from seeing my fingers tremble at just the thought of what happened.
She slaps my upper arm with excitement. “You dirty dog! Tell me right now!”
I grab at her hands to stop the assault. “Stop hitting me and I will.”
Piper drops her hands immediately, placing them behind her back while she bounces on her toes in her sneakers. Her maxi skirt flounced to the beat of her excitement.
We stare at each other. Her lips turned in, fighting a grin. Me biting the inside of my cheek to keep from doing the same. Because it’s taking everything in me not to start giggling like a schoolgirl.
“We kissed.”
“And…”
“I dry humped him like I’ve never gotten any action in my life and he told me it was the hottest thing he’s ever experienced.
” The words come out in a rush but I know she heard everything I said as she jumps up and down with pure joy.
A squeal releases so loudly I’m afraid the front windows might break.
“And?” She encourages me to continue.
“And that was it.”
She stops all movement; her smile faltering slightly before it picks back up. “Oh my God, Gwenny. You kissed Logan Spencer.”
This time I do release the giggle bubbling up within me.
“I did. Teenage me would absolutely die if she knew this.”
“What does this mean?”
I shrug, insecurity weaving through my mind as all the possibilities. “I can’t afford to worry about it right now. Which he agreed to, by the way. It was a blip. A slip up.”
Piper squints at me, confusion swirling in her dark blue eyes. “A slip up? Who came to that conclusion?”
I take a deep breath, squaring up my shoulders to admit to my best friend I cockblocked myself. “I did.”
“Why would you do that?”
I toss my head back and groan. “Because that’s all it can be, Pipes. It’s the forced proximity and you know it. Besides, he has enough girl problems right now. Camila is spreading around lies that they are engaged. Or about to be.”
Piper scrunches her nose in disgust. “She’s a parasite.”
The bell over the front door dings and Piper’s smiling face looks over my shoulder, ready to greet whoever is coming in. But her face falls as soon as she registers who it is.
“And she just walked in.”
My eyes grow wide, my back is turned towards the door, so I have a moment to school my features.
Doesn’t this town have anywhere else she can haunt?
“With Logan.” Piper looks quickly back to me, whispering for just me to hear, “Breathe, I got this,” as she edges me to the side and meets them at the register.
I pretend to be completely focused on the syrup inventory on the back counter. My fingers turn each one to face the front without actually seeing them in front of me. My ears strain to pick up what’s said between them.
“Welcome to The Willow Whisk. What can I get started for y’all?”
“My usual, Piper. You know this,” Camila scoffs. But she’s messing with the wrong barista.
“Actually, Camila, I don’t know this. What can I get started for you? Or should I just pull something out of my ass?” Her words are sharp, but I can hear the sugary sweet smile she’s layering it with.
I look over my shoulder, keeping my gaze on Piper as I say “I got it, Pipes. Ring her up for a skinny iced white mocha, extra shot.” I’m already starting it before the words are out of my mouth.
“I’ll take whatever Gwen recommends today.”
He’s a few feet away, with a counter between us, but the way his words slide across my skin feels like he is right next to me. Whispering those words directly into my ear. His warmth seeping into my skin and reminders of his labored breathing and moans fill my head again.
The plastic cup in my hand drops to the countertop, bouncing once then twice until it rolls to the floor making even more noise. I squeeze my eyes shut at the noise, knowing it sent all eyes in my direction. Grabbing a new cup, I restart the drink and push thoughts of last night out of my mind.
“What’s wrong with her?” Camila scoffs.
“Late night,” Piper replies. Another smirk laced within her words. “What do you recommend today, Gwen?”
“He loved the apple drink the other day. Didn’t you, babe?”
I take my eyes off the espresso filling up the bottom of the cup as soon as she uses the pet name.
My gaze goes directly to Logan, curiosity at his reaction getting the best of me.
It pleases me to no end to see him pull away from where her hand landed on his arm, a move way too similar to how she treated his father—her boss—when they were in here together.
Especially since his hazel eyes are on me.
The smirk on his lips sends a thrill to my core, but when I watch his eyes slide down to my lips before coming back up to meet mine I have to resist the urge to squeeze my thighs together to look for friction.
“What do you recommend today, Gwen?”
My name in his gruff voice reminds me of the way he said it in the quiet of my apartment.
I clear my throat against the thickening emotion I’m feeling at the memories trying to come to the forefront of my mind again.
“Ring him up for Christmas in a Cup, Pipes.” I turn back to the machine to continue crafting their drinks before I do something ridiculous like reach across the bakery case Logan is standing in front of now and planting one on him.
One quick little rendezvous and the man has me acting like a horny teenager.
“And a vanilla latte, too, please. For my father.” His voice calls out to my friend manning the register as he steps up to the register.
“We’ve got a meeting to get to, so if you could make this quick, that would be appreciated.” Camila tosses my way.
I pass Camila’s drink over to Piper silently, though we have a full conversation just with our eyes.
Can you believe this bitch? Piper’s say.
Hurry up and get her out of here, mine scream.
I expertly layer the flavors for Logan’s latte while I whip together his dad’s easily.
When I place them on the counter, finally getting closer to the two of them, I see how Camila continues to angle herself toward him and he keeps sidestepping her.
I’d laugh if it didn’t send a twinge of sadness through my heart.
Not an uncommon feeling when seeing them together, but there is an extra pang to it now after sharing the moments Logan and I have recently.
Before I have a chance to remove my hands from his cup, Logan’s fingers slide against mine. Tingles travel from where we touch. My eyes jump up and I stay watching him while he takes his first sip, waiting with baited breath to gauge his reaction.
Camila is saying something snarky, telling by the tone of her grating voice, but I can’t make it out as my vision tunnels on Logan.
“Mmm.” He pulls the cup down to show the tilt of his lips that sends a flutter through my stomach. “Is that mint and chocolate?”
His eyes lock onto mine, and I can practically feel the flames coming from them. Licking across my skin.
“Delicious,” he mutters.
The spell is broken when tugs on his sleeve. “We need to get going, Lo.”
I drop my gaze, turning back to the espresso machine to start cleaning it. Giving myself an excuse not to watch them walk away together.
“Have a great day,” Piper calls out. But under her breath I can hear her mutter “brat” and I can’t help but laugh.
“Actually, I need to talk to Gwen real quick.”
My head pops up so fast, I’m surprised it doesn’t fly off. “Me?” I squeak out.
“Festival updates. It’ll only take a minute.” He nods toward the hallway leading to my office, a step already taking him that direction.
“O-okay. Yeah. Piper, I’ll be right back.”
I keep myself from looking in Camila’s vicinity, though I can feel the daggers she’s mentally throwing my way as I follow Logan down the hallway. He doesn’t wait for me, just steps right into my office and sets his cup of coffee on my desk.