Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
JOSIE
As I stood in the kitchen in the back of Firehouse Café, nostalgia rolled over me with the delightful scent of cheese rolls in the oven. I opened the door to the oven, peering inside. I couldn’t help but take a nice deep breath.
Janet came bustling in from the storage area, chuckling when she saw me. “Smells pretty good, huh?”
Casting her a smile, I closed the oven. “They’re almost done. Do you still have the same policy for food?”
“You mean, if you work here, you can have two of anything we make? Of course! And as much coffee as you’d like.” She waggled her brows. “Now, do you need a refresher on how this place works?” She set a few things on the counter just as Casey walked in through the back door.
Casey’s smile was wide when she saw me. “Hey!” She slipped out of her jacket, hanging it on the hooks by the door and switching out from a pair of winter boots into practical tennis shoes.
“Hey!” I returned. “Are we both on duty today?” I glanced at Janet.
“Yes, please.” She nodded vigorously. “I usually have two people on duty in the morning. We’ve been floating by for a whole month with just one.” Janet let out a sigh. “It’s the middle of winter.”
“It’s almost spring,” I pointed out. “Technically, it’s next month.”
Janet gave me a strong side-eye. “It’s February. We get the most snow this time of year, and it’s usually the coldest.”
Casey was tying an apron around her waist. “It is cold.”
“Where are you from?” I asked as I went to fetch an apron. The aprons were bright red with a cute little Firehouse Café logo on one side.
“Coastal North Carolina, right near the Outer Banks. I’ve gone to the mountains in the winter there, but snow is extremely rare where I grew up. Like seriously. The whole world stops if even a single snowflake floats from the sky,” she teased.
“How are you handling winter here?” I asked.
“I’m handling it. I love it! It’s a novelty for me, so that makes it fun. Though I’m not sure I’d be the best driver in the snow, so it’s handy that I live next door.”
Janet chuckled as she began prepping to make something on the baking table.
“Okay, girls, I’m going to be busy back here.
You two handle the front.” Her eyes landed on me.
“Everything’s pretty much the same, although the prices have increased, and we have a new register.
We have one of those touchscreen pads. I feel very modern, but if you have any questions, ask away.
At some point today, the donut lady might be here, but I’m not sure.
I can tell she already came by because—” Janet gestured toward one of the proofing cases.
“There are ten trays ready to go in the oven. As soon as the cheese pinwheels come out, those are going in. The donuts will be gone before you know it.”
My mouth started watering. “Oh wow, those look so good.”
“They are.” Janet waggled her brows.
“They sure are. Luna takes what’s left from her batch and makes a few small ones so we can eat off those,” Casey said, her auburn ponytail bouncing as she nodded. “Come out front with me!”
It was remarkable how quickly I slipped back into the rhythm here. With it being February in Alaska, it wasn’t even close to daylight yet. I loved the way it felt to be here while it was dark out as we turned on the lights and got the tables ready. It felt cozy.
I loved how it felt so good to simply be home in Alaska. Willow Brook would always be home for me, and I was so grateful to be back. Money would be tight for a little while, but it would be okay. My mind spun back to my conversation with Tate last night.
Even at the height of my career, I’d known skiing was a short career.
Once you got seriously injured, that was it.
I always knew I needed to have other plans.
I just needed a little cushion of time to sort the details out.
I loved Firehouse Café. It would give me the time I needed.
I would always be happy to cover shifts here.
Janet was my first boss and still my favorite.
Casey was easy to work with. We quickly settled into a rhythm of switching off as customers came in, taking turns handling the register, prepping coffees, and heating baked goods.
I was busy enough that I didn’t dwell too much on Tate.
Although since the moment I’d woken up, our kiss last night played on a loop in my brain. I blushed just thinking about him.
It was all good until Casey went in the back for a bathroom break.
The bell chimed over the door as I finished wiping down the counter between customers.
I reflexively glanced toward the door to see Tate walking in.
My pulse kicked up his heels and took off like a happy little pony let out to pasture after days of being cooped up.
My lungs seized, and butterflies amassed in my belly.
I couldn’t have looked away from Tate if my life depended on it.
I blinked. “Hi,” I squeaked when he stopped in front of the counter.
“Good morning, Josie.”
The counter was the only thing between us, and it felt like nothing. I actually had to curl my hands on its edges to keep my knees from buckling.
“How are you?” he asked.
My brain felt like an engine that needed a jump-start.
I’d never noticed that Tate had this almost growly voice.
It was sexy. Since when was Tate’s voice sexy?
But then, apparently, every detail about him was sexy now.
The way he rested a hip against the edge of the counter, and the way his jacket hung open, and I could see the subtle flexion of his muscles.
His muscled chest when he shifted his shoulders slightly.
The way his lips kicked up at one corner before his smile stretched over to the other.
His straight dark hair was a little shaggy around the edges of his jacket collar, and his lips had a sensual curve.
I’d never noticed any man’s lips. They just weren’t something I paid attention to.
But now, I knew how Tate’s lips felt over mine.
I experienced how he commanded a kiss. And I knew what it felt like to climax with his name on a whisper.
I had no idea how long I stood there staring at him until he prompted, “Josie?”
I jumped a little. My knees were still wobbly, and it was amazing I didn’t lose my balance. Thank God for the counter in front of me. “Hey!” I repeated
Tate’s eyes held a gleam. It was a little sly, and my belly flipped at the need banked there. “Good to see you again,” he said.
My brain finally stopped sputtering, and I let out a quick sigh. “You too. Where’s Kara?” I asked.
He tipped his head to the side. “School.”
“Oh! That makes sense,” I replied, feeling flustered. “What can I get you?” I asked just as Casey returned from the back.
“Good morning, Casey,” he said.
Casey smiled back at him before glancing back and forth between us. “Do y’all know each other?”
At my nod, Tate offered, “We grew up together. Josie’s an old friend.”
I was pretty sure old friends didn’t kiss the way we had last night. Heat bloomed on my cheeks, suffusing me from head to toe. I imagined this was what a hot flash felt like. I cleared my throat.
Casey slapped her palm to her forehead. “Of course y’all know each other! You’re both from here.”
I cleared my throat. “We are.” Good lord, my voice sounded all breathy. “Tate likes the rich house coffee,” I added.
“No sugar and no cream. I call that the tough coffee,” Casey teased.
Tate chuckled. “I keep it simple.”
Just then, a cluster of customers came in. Casey began waiting on them while I got Tate’s coffee ready. “Do you want anything to eat?” I asked.
“Are the donuts ready yet?”
“They are,” I replied with a grin.
“Those are amazing. I’ll take two, please.”
I was relieved by the distraction of other customers talking around us and the necessity of doing my job.
I got Tate’s coffee ready and bagged up his donuts.
When I handed everything to him, I felt hot and tingly all over.
When his fingers brushed mine as he took the coffee and donuts from me, it felt like flames leaping up my arm.
“Good to see you!” I sounded squeaky and breathless. It was embarrassing.
When he left, I was both disappointed and relieved. Trying to keep my shit together around him would take a little work. I told myself it would pass.
I walked into the back to check on something in the oven. Something was always in the oven, especially in the mornings. But more than that, I needed to cool off. At the giant stainless-steel sink, I blasted the cold water and held my hands underneath.
I was drying my hands on the towel as I turned. Janet happened to be unloading a tray of dishes she’d collected from the front into the dishwasher. She smiled over at me with a sly glint in her eyes.
“Tate’s sure happy to see you,” she teased.
Heat blasted into my cheeks. “What do you mean?” I hedged.
Janet pressed her lips together, barely restraining her smile.
“I know Tate very well. Just like I know you very well.” She must have seen the distress on my face.
She set the empty tray down and crossed over to me.
“Sweetie,” she said, placing both hands on my shoulders and squeezing, “I’m just teasing.
I do think he’s happy to see you, and that maybe you both…
” She paused. “I’ll save that for later.
Let me say this. Why are you so worried if Tate’s happy to see you? ”
I stepped back, twisting the towel in my hands.
“We’ve been friends for as long as I can remember.
But things were awkward when it all fell apart.
It was high school gossip hell. His ex and my ex screwed around on us and got married.
Tate and I can’t be crushing on each other.
Talk about gossip.” I rolled my eyes as I let out a huff.
Janet twisted her lips to the side. “Sweetie, that is seriously old news. I realize it probably doesn’t feel like it to you.
Not that I assume you’ve been obsessing over Kayla and Lyle.
But you just moved back to town, and they’re in the middle of a nasty divorce.
I remember the four of you when you were younger.
I don’t go around bashing people, and I’m the first to say we all get a chance to do better in life.
But they hurt you both, and that kind of betrayal stings because they were supposed to be your friends.
Maybe Kayla will figure it out now, but she always seems to want what others have.
She’s learning her lessons now, and that’s okay.
No one’s keeping score. If you and Tate end up together, half of the town won’t even remember that your high school sweethearts screwed you two over. Trust me, it won’t matter.”
I took a breath, considering her words. “I know. You’re right, I haven’t been thinking about it because I haven’t been here. Things like that tend to shape a person. Trust doesn’t come easy for me in friendships or in relationships. It’s nice to see Tate, and he’s a friend. That’s it.”
I started wondering if there was a fan nearby. I was burning up all over again.
A smile teased at the corners of Janet’s lips as she studied me. “He’s a good man.”