Chapter 28
ALEX
As soon as I wake up, I ache for Logan.
Last night felt like something out of a dream. I fell asleep thinking about him, and I wake up still thinking about his soft lips on mine and the calluses on his hands against my flushed cheeks.
I haven’t let myself want anyone as much as I want Logan. Deep down, I always knew Scott was going to leave.
Against all my better judgment, and despite all the walls I’ve built to keep myself safe and my life normal, I want Logan to tear them down with a sledgehammer.
My fingers brush my lips, the ghost of his mouth still lingering there, his scent still clinging to my skin.
I carry thoughts of him with me all the way to The Honeycomb Cafe. The biting October wind can’t seem to pierce the warmth surrounding me, a warmth Logan created.
But there’s a gnawing feeling in my stomach that wonders how quickly things could change.
If Logan only realized his feelings for me last night, how easily could those feelings change?
Did he really feel anything romantic for me before all this, or did he just act on a sudden impulse?
I speed-walk to the cafe and arrive just as Vicki flips the sign on the door from closed to open.
“About time,” she says with a playful smirk.
“Sorry,” I reply breathlessly.
She shrugs. “You’re on time. Nothing to be sorry for.”
Not long after, a stream of customers follows me inside—the usual morning rush.
I take my place at the register with a smile on my face, genuinely hopeful and ready to start the day.
It took some time to get used to working mornings at this new job, but I think I actually enjoy it now.
I greet every customer with a cheerful “Good morning” that doesn’t feel forced. I’ve managed to memorize almost every regular’s drink and pastry order, and by the end of the first hour, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.
Amid the flurry of customers, I don’t notice Fiona standing at the end of the line.
“Good morning, Alex,” she says, an almost-smile tugging at her lips.
“Fiona. Hi,” I say, gripping the counter as if I need something to steady myself.
“Dark roast in your thermos with a lemon square?” Vicki asks, sidling up beside me with a smile.
Fiona actually smiles back at her. “Like usual.”
I glance between them. “Like usual?”
Fiona snorts.
“I’ve been coming here every day since I found out you worked here.”
I look to Vicki first. She seems completely unperturbed by this information as she pulls a lemon square from the pastry case.
Of course, she isn’t. Apparently, she’s been seeing Fiona more often than I have, and she didn’t even think to tell me.
“And why is that?” I ask, turning my attention back to Fiona.
Fiona shrugs. “The coffee here is good, and Vicki is a fast learner when it comes to what I want. I appreciate people who adapt quickly.”
I glance at Vicki, who presses her lips together like she’s hiding a smile.
What the hell is going on here?
“So you’ve come to some kind of truce?” I ask.
Fiona snorts as though I’ve said something ridiculous. “We were never feuding, Alex. Come on.”
I squint at Vicki, who is still avoiding my gaze. If she thinks she asks a lot of questions about Logan, she’s about to get a lot more questions from me about her newfound friendship with Fiona.
“Anyway, how’s your piece coming along for this week?” Fiona asks.
I tilt my head and glance past her. There are no dishes waiting to be washed and no customers about to walk in.
“It’s going fine. I learned a lot from leading the meeting about honing my craft.”
Fiona nods. “You did a good job.”
I almost flinch at the compliment. Coming from Fiona, it feels more shocking than flattering.
“Actually, I was wondering if you’d be willing to look over everyone’s submissions this week, too. Not to lead the meeting, just to give me your thoughts.”
“Yes,” I say immediately.
Any opportunity to take on some of an editor’s responsibilities, I’ll take.
I’ve always wanted to be the one giving feedback, and I have to seize the chance. I might end up with no free time after adding this to everything else on my plate, but I don’t care.
Fiona smiles at me like we’re friends, and I still have the urge to check whether she’s hiding crossed fingers behind her back, ready to double-cross me.
“Good. I’ll CC you on all the emails I receive.”
Vicki hands her coffee over the counter.
“Thanks, Vic,” Fiona says with a smile, which is honestly uncanny to witness.
“Bye, coffee slingers,” Fiona calls as she turns on her heel and leaves the cafe.
I look over at Vicki.
She has a lot of explaining to do.
“Hey, would either of you mind taking over for me? I have to answer a call,” one of my coworkers asks.
“Alex will,” Vicki answers, stepping aside so I can take her place at the espresso bar.
Just as I’m about to ask how she managed to crack Fiona’s icy exterior, my phone buzzes.
Logan
Hey, would you want to go out for a walk along the canal tonight? No pressure. Just let me know :)
My knees go weak at the thought of Logan thinking about me and wanting to see me again.
Oh God, I need to get a grip. I sound like some kind of hormonal teenager.
I guess going for a walk technically counts as taking things slowly. It’s not like it’s dinner or a marriage proposal. I have no reason to be anxious about something so simple.
So why does my heart race at the thought of being next to Logan again?
“Alex!”
I jolt out of my thoughts and look up at Vicki.
Somehow, a horde of people has already made its way into the cafe, and Vicki has already taken several of their orders.
She gestures to the growing line of receipts scattered across the counter and the crowd of customers snaking away from the register.
I grab a milk pitcher, sling a towel over my shoulder, start grinding coffee beans, and get to work.
Even if I have to be patient and wait until tonight, one thing that won’t wait is the mountain of drinks I need to make.