Chapter 5 #2
It occurred to me once again that Callum was sitting in the office that his mother had worked in. But it had been over two decades since that moment. Would Callum even think about that? Would it matter?
He was right. I didn’t know his secrets, though part of me craved to.
And that part of me needed to shut the hell up.
“Anyway, let’s get started on your paperwork.”
“Yippee.”
“Excuse me, but my mother taught me spreadsheets for a reason.”
His lips quirked. “Whatever you say, little flower.”
And this time, I didn’t correct him. Even though I should have.
* * *
Later that afternoon, I swiped the correct way and was headed to the Flicked Bean, the local coffee shop that made headlines when our town council had approved the name without knowing what it meant.
They made fantastic coffee, and I always held back a giggle whenever I came through the doors.
It was a typical Colorado coffee shop, complete with comfy chairs, oversized mugs, and multiple baristas with nose piercings, full tattoos, and amazing hair.
I loved it.
A late evening coffee and Danish was probably going to be an awkward date, but Landon seemed really nice online, and I wanted to be in a public place. My phone buzzed, and I smiled at the screen.
Keely: Are you sure you don’t want me to come down there?
Me: I’m going to stay in the coffee shop where everyone can see me. Don’t worry!
Keely: I’ll always worry. It’s something you’ll learn about me. LOL
Me: I already love it.
Keely: Tell me how it goes and good luck! Hopefully, it’s better than the last one. And the one who ghosted me. Now, back to work! Promise and I are going to add a lunch menu soon!
Me: Crossing my fingers on both!
“Hey Felicity, what can I get you?” Lorenzo said from the counter, and I grinned.
“Maybe just a vanilla latte? I’ll figure out if I want a snack soon.”
“Date?” he asked, wiggling that pierced brow.
“Yes. From an app. So if you could just ensure this guy doesn’t drag me out the back door, that would be wonderful.”
“I hate the fact that you’re only kidding there, but not really kidding. Don’t worry, we’ve got you.”
He pressed his right fist into his left palm and glared.
“I love you, Lorenzo.”
“I love you too. And if I loved women that way, we could just go and get married and run off and not have to deal with apps.”
“Those are the dreams,” I teased.
I took a seat in the back corner so I could watch the door and see if a curly-haired blond walked towards me. The last time I had been on a date with a blond man had ended in one of the worst evenings of my life, but then I remembered I had fought back, and I hadn’t been alone in the end.
I didn’t think about Bradley often, and I wasn’t planning to tonight. Right now was a late coffee date, and it was going to go wonderfully.
When Landon walked towards me and looked exactly like his profile picture, I smiled and stood up. “Hi there. I’m Felicity.”
“Hi Felicity, I’m Landon. I’m so glad that you look like your profile photo.”
I laughed softly. “I was just thinking the same thing.”
“Felicity, babe, have your coffee here.” Lorenzo gave Landon the once-over and then smiled at me. “Anything else?”
“I’m sorry, I already ordered. I’m a regular here.”
“I like it. I’ll take a flat white, and what do you say to sharing a cheese Danish?”
My stomach rumbled because I wanted my own Danish, but I’d share one. Why not?
“Sounds good.”
“On it. I’ve got you.” Lorenzo winked, and Landon and I went to our seats.
“So…” Landon said and didn’t continue.
“So… how long are you in town for?” I asked, feeling awkward.
“A couple of days. Not too long. I’m a business analyst. And I’m on a break just to see the mountains. Get that mountain air. You know?”
“I do know. I love it here for that reason.”
The bell over the door jingled again, and a familiar, far too built, far too alluring presence walked in, and Callum strolled towards the counter. He gave me one look and glared over at Landon before turning to Lorenzo.
“I’m here for Teagan’s order. Because apparently, she needs caffeine after five pm.”
Lorenzo laughed. “Okay, old man. I guess once you reach a certain age, caffeine is a problem.”
“You’re lucky I like you, Lorenzo.” Callum shook his head, his lips twitching.
“Felicity. Did you hear what I was saying? Do you know him?”
I whirled towards Landon, nearly spilling my drink. “Oh, sorry. Got distracted. Long day. I’m sorry.”
“Oh.” Landon frowned and looked over at Callum before turning back to me.
Landon was slender, probably far slenderer than any man I’d ever dated, a runner’s build, if anything.
He had long, curly blond hair but had pulled it back into a ponytail.
He had one of those soul patches and wore suspenders.
I didn’t mind the look, considering all my friends dressed however they wanted.
But he did not give off the same aura as Callum.
That was probably why I had swiped the way I had.
“Anyway. I’ve been married for about four years now, and when I go to different towns, my wife and I like it when I hook up with someone. That way, she can watch over the stream, and we can spice up our marriage.”
I finally clued in to what he was saying and continued to blink. “Excuse me?”
That time, my voice had gone high pitched.
“What? I thought I was pretty clear in my texts to you, right? This is just for the evening?”
“No. That’s not at all what you said.”
He frowned, looked at his phone, and his eyes widened. “Oh shit. I told that to someone else. You. Well. I mean. Same goes. You know?”
“I think I’m going to go now. Excuse me.” I stood up, coffee sloshing over the rim. Landon stood up quickly and looked down at the coffee now staining his pants.
“Are you fucking kidding me? Just because you’re not into an open relationship doesn’t mean you had to burn me.”
“Something wrong here?” Callum asked as he strolled over, that glare on his face too alluring. Damn that man.
“Nothing. Landon was just leaving.”
“I thought you were? But you know what, maybe I don’t understand small-town girls. My wife and I can find someone else.” He gave a two-finger salute, didn’t bother to get his drink or pay for it, and just walked out.
I looked around the other tables, filled with people I knew, and glared up at Callum.
“If you say a word to my brother about this.”
“About what? The fact that you just went on a date with a married man who was looking for a third for the evening?”
“Dating is hard. And apparently, I don’t know what all of the acronyms mean on apps. Or maybe I do, and he lied. Either way. I’m going to go eat that entire Danish and then head home. To live with my parents. Because there’s no other place I can live.”
“I might have a line on something for you,” Callum said softly.
I turned my gaze up to him. “Really? You’re not just saying that because I’ve had a bad night?”
“Oh, you’ve had a bad night. Hilarious. And by the way, you do realize that one of the busboys at Summit Grill is over in the corner, right? He’s going to tell Rune.”
Before I could glare at the kid, he was already out the door, probably to be the town crier of my bad date.
“Yeah. At least this beats the whole laughing-at-me thing.”
“What?” Callum asked.
I waved him off. “Anyway. I’d love to hear about the whole house thing, and I will. But I’m going to eat this Danish and cry.”
“Felicity. Don’t cry. He’s not worth it. No man is worth your tears.” Callum took my chin and met my gaze. “Nobody is worth your tears,” he repeated.
I swallowed hard and took a step back, forcing him to let me go.
“You’re right. But some days are just worth a Danish.”
“It’s on the house,” Lorenzo whispered, and that time I nearly did cry. Instead, I took my Danish, went back to my table, and calmly had myself a solo date.
That was all I was good for at this moment. And I ignored Callum’s pitying gaze until he finally left with his sister’s coffee, and I could finally breathe. Getting over Callum Ashford was going to be harder than I thought.