MADISON
Chapter Three
I’m staring at the foam as I froth up a huge jug of milk for two grande lattes with all the trimmings. Gingerbread has a reputation for OTT coffee orders - Zuri calls it the Go Big or Go Home principle - and it takes a while to make enough frothy milk to fill the cups.
She bought this place when it was the Gingerbread Palace, after the guy who ran it did everything he could to put off customers by raising the prices and ruining the gingerbread.
Zuri’s given it a complete makeover, replacing the bright strip lights with softer pink ones, making the chairs comfortable, and concentrating on the quality of the food and drink.
Both the Snowflake regulars and the tourist crowd appear to appreciate this; business is brisk.
I should be concentrating but my mind keeps wandering back to what happened yesterday.
Wolf Tyler.
In the shower.
Here in Snowflake Falls.
I haven’t told anyone, because I’m meant to be pretending I don’t have any idea who he is. It felt like we had a connection. Or maybe he just gets this with every woman he comes into contact with, since he’s so hot and rich and famous and...
“I’ll be back in a sec, Mads, we’re out of cream.
” Zuri waves and heads out the door. She does everything super efficiently and fast, and I always feel like I’m a couple of steps behind her.
She’s been great since my Mom died, one of the few people who isn’t scared of asking me how I feel in case they get it wrong.
I finish the coffees, adding the signature miniature gingerbread men to the whipped cream and sprinkles. Months of practice means I’ve got the Magnificent Mini Gingerbread Mega Lattes down to a fine art.
I set the orders down in front of the couple who ordered them.
They both let out a little “ooh’ of surprise.
The bell above the door tinkles as they leave and I’m alone.
It’s just before three o’clock, the quiet time before the post-school crowd arrives, so I clean the machine and replenish our cupcake display.
The bell over the door rings as I’m wiping off the back counter.
A tall guy wearing one of those snood things and a beanie hat is standing there.
For a second I wonder if he’s come to rob the place, since he’s so covered up.
But he’s smiling and his eyes are crinkly at the corners.
A criminal wouldn’t be so friendly - would he?
“Hey…” That voice. Unforgettable, like pure sex bathed in honey and coated in chocolate.
He walks closer to the counter and pulls down the scarf.
Sculpted cheekbones, olive skin, stubble, full lips…
it’s him. Wolf Tyler is in the building.
I have a sudden urge to let out a little fangirl scream, but I repress it and smile instead. “Hey. What can I get you?”
“Uh…do you have oat milk? Regular milk is fine too. I’m not allergic or anything. I got into the habit in L.A. I’ll have a latte, please.” He takes his hat off and runs his hands over his glossy dark hair.
“Is it hot under there?” I tease as I walk forward to the counter, smoothing my apron down. Thank goodness I washed my hair and put on some makeup today.
“Not hot enough! This town is cold, Madison. It’s sunny in L.A. I just checked. How do you survive?” He puts his hands on the counter and gazes at me. His eyes are incredible, an amber brown that reminds me of afternoon sunlight.
I need to get it together and reply. Pretend he’s just some guy.
“Ah, they make us tough here in Snowflake. And you get used to it. My Mom used to say we get the seasons on steroids. So the holidays are extra special, because there’s always snow, and then the summer is extra beautiful… ” I’m rambling, but I can’t help it.
“Your Mom’s passed? I’m sorry.” His eyes are kind and that almost sends me over the edge. Wolf Tyler is nice, as well as hot and insanely talented.
“Yes, last year. I’m living here above the coffee shop while I sell my Mom’s house.
It’s right next door to where you’re staying.
” I look away to concentrate on his drink.
For some reason I want to make it well. To prove that Snowflake is just as good as L.A.
, or to impress him with my barista skills, I’m not sure which.
“Do you want to take me to have a look? I’m in the market for housing right now.” He smiles. That grin is dynamite.
“Uh…I don’t think it’s your style. It’s very cozy. Meaning tiny. No underfloor heating or open plan living room like Mr. Slate’s properties.” I finish the latte and hand it to him. My fingers brush his as I hand him the coffee and a tingle runs up my arm. His eyes are twinkling.
“I like cozy. I grew up in a small house.” He takes a sip of coffee. “Madison, this is amazing. I’ll definitely be coming back here for my regular coffee order. When are you next cleaning the house?”
“Tomorrow, I guess. Have you made a mess?” I can’t quite believe I’m using my rusty flirting skills on this utter god.
“Ha! I’m house trained. It’s not too bad.
I have a proposition for you.” We both stare at each other.
“I mean, a business proposition. We can talk tomorrow. Oh, I nearly forgot. You left your hat at the house.” He hands me my red hat and his fingers brush mine again.
My nipples harden, imagining them stroking my naked skin.
It must be obvious the effect he’s having on me and my cheeks flush bright red.
The doorbell clangs and Zuri backs into the store with a tray of cream.
“Got it, Mads! I cleared out the whole damn store.” She swoops past me to the back of the store and starts loading the refrigerator.
Wolf puts on his hat, pulls up his scarf, winks at me and leaves.
As the doorbell sounds, Zuri pauses, a carton of cream in her hand and whips her head round.
“Wait a second. Madison, that was Wolf Fucking Tyler!” Her voice is squeaky and I think she’s going to drop the cream.
“Correct, boss. He’s in Snowflake looking at properties. He doesn’t want to be recognized… he’s living up at the Taggart place.” I take the cream from her hand and put it in the fridge.
“But…you cleaned there yesterday. You dark horse, Mads. I would have blabbed the first thing!” She’s still gazing at the door with her mouth open.
“Um…I kind of walked in on him in the shower.” My cheeks flush again.
“You did what? That’s like something out of most girls’ fantasies…” Zuri’s eyebrows arch as far up her forehead as they’ll go.
‘Yeah, but then I was so freaked out that I pretended I didn’t know who he was. So I couldn’t talk about it. And then he made me a coffee, and now he brought back the hat I left at the house…” I put the hat on, happy that it’s been in Wolf’s pocket.
“He brought you your hat? He likes you Mads…it isn’t fair! Can I join the groupie queue?” Zuri shakes her head and starts loading the cream in the fridge again.
“He doesn’t know I know who he is. Maybe that’s why he likes me? I think he’s hiding out here. So let’s keep it between us.” I put my hands on my hips. Zuri likes to gossip.
She mimes zipping her mouth shut. “Okay. But word is going to get out sooner or later. And I’m extremely jealous. And also really excited. Who would have thought someone like Wolf Tyler would be living here in Snowflake Falls?”
The doorbell rings and two groups of tourists crowd into the shop. As I start with their orders, I can’t help but imagine Wolf’s hands touching me again. Maybe Zuri’s got the right idea. I’d be just another groupie to him, one in a long line of many.
I sigh and start frothing the milk. I need to get out of my head and back into real life. Sell Mom’s house, pay off the debts, then try to focus on my career. Get back in the game.
An idea for a song springs into my head.
I can turn this crush on Wolf into something real. Something creative. Translate these feelings into a song. Make something for myself out of all this turmoil.
I start humming the melody under my breath.