Chapter 4 Decaf Betrayal #2
“Thanks, gorgeous.” He flashes another grin, lifting the mug without looking closely.
I linger, pretending to straighten the salt and pepper shakers, watching him take that first sip.
He sips and lets out a moan—a low, appreciative sound that does absolutely nothing helpful to my blood pressure or the situation between my thighs. His eyes closing briefly in apparent satisfaction. “Perfect,” he sighs, opening his eyes and giving me that megawatt smile again. “You’re a lifesaver.”
Urgh! I want to dump the entire pot of coffee over his perfectly styled head.
The sheer, oblivious audacity of it is staggering. He thinks I’m being nice. He thinks this is service with a smile, not a declaration of war served in a ceramic mug.
He chuckles and stretches, the sound rich and warm. My eyes noticing his Henley pulling tight across those strong shoulders.
Memories flood back in vivid detail: His hands fisting in my shirt, the rough brick scraping my back as he pressed me against the wall.
The way he groaned when I rolled my hips—low and desperate like I was killing him slowly.
The thick, hard length of him grinding against me, making me forget every reason why it was a bad idea.
And now? Nothing. Just charming indifference.
I return to the pass with a huff.
"Everything okay, hon?" Mrs. Whitmore pauses beside me, her sharp eyes missing nothing. She follows my gaze to Cam's booth. "Ah. The hockey star. Levi said he was coming to town. Causing a stir already, I see."
"He's just a customer, Mrs. W," I say, feigning nonchalance. "Like any other."
She snorts softly, wiping her hands on her ever-present apron. "Honey, that man is not like any other. But if he gives you any trouble, you let me know. We run a respectable establishment."
Then she whispers with a knowing look. "And if he doesn't give you trouble... well, you let me know that too."
I stick out my tongue at her.
But I’m still feeling hot. The endearment. The easy charm. The absolute gall of him lounging like a smug cat, while my insides knot like over-spun taffy.
I need to take him down a notch.
Time for a reality check, waitress-style.
So, I stroll back to his table, lean in, lowering my voice to a conspiratorial whisper laced with venomous sweetness. "Actually, it's decaf." I watch the smile freeze on his face. "With three sugars. And I added a splash of lukewarm water for good measure. Enjoy."
I straighten, giving him my brightest, most innocent waitress smile. "Can I get you anything else? A side of disappointment? Some toast with regret?"
His eyes widen, genuine confusion warring with startled amusement in their depths. "Decaf? Why would—"
But I am already turning away, the satisfying clatter of dishes from a nearby table giving me the perfect excuse to escape. I hear him sputter slightly behind me, but I don't look back. Let him choke on his betrayal-flavored coffee.
I'm halfway across the restaurant when the bell chimes again, and Levi Johansen walks through the door carrying what looks like the world's most high-tech baby carrier.
My heart does a little flip of genuine affection. If Cam is chaos incarnate, Levi is the steady center of any room he enters. Quiet strength wrapped in hometown hero packaging, with the kind of smile that makes you believe in happy endings.
Lily follows him, glowing with the kind of radiant exhaustion that comes from new motherhood. Her red hair is pulled back in a messy bun, there are what look like spit-up stains on her cardigan, and she's absolutely beautiful.
My mood lifts despite everything. Levi and Lily are impossible not to love—the kind of couple that makes you believe in fairy-tale endings even when you're too cynical for your own good.
And their baby...the undisputed prince of Cedar Falls.
"Linden!" I coo, abandoning the syrup dispenser to hurry over. "Look how much you've grown!"
Three-month-old Linden Johansen blinks up at me with the kind of sea-glass eyes that suggest he's already plotting world domination.
He's got Lily's delicate features and Levi's stubborn chin, and he's absolutely perfect in that way that makes even baby-ambivalent people like me want to start a family.
“Tara!” Lily beams and half-screams, pulling me into a one-armed hug that smells like baby lotion and pure contentment.
“He’s perfect,” I breathe, reaching out to brush one tiny fist. “And those eyelashes? This kid’s going to be a heartbreaker.”
“Just like his dad,” Levi crows, puffing up.
Lily promptly elbows him in the ribs. “Please. I am not dealing with teenage girls lining up at our door.”
Levi leans down, pressing a kiss to Linden’s downy head. “Don’t worry, buddy. Daddy will protect you. We’ll install a moat if we have to.”
This is what I want.
This easy intimacy, this comfortable banter that comes from really knowing someone and choosing them anyway. Not the desperate, hungry thing that happened in the alley last night but the deep, steady kind of love that builds a life.
“Johansen! Over here!”
Behind me, a familiar boom rattles the bistro.
Cam Wilder is half-standing in his booth, waving both arms like he’s signaling down a plane. Heads turn, chatter ripples, and of course he soaks it in, grinning like he just scored the game-winner in overtime.
Levi groans, already dragging a hand down his face. “Subtle as ever.”
Lily just giggles, shaking her head as she steers Linden’s carrier toward him.
I watch Cam’s face transforms instantly. The charming performer facade drops, replaced by open warmth and affection as he gets out of the booth.
“Levi! Lily! Hey, man!” He strides towards them, pulling Levi into one of those complicated man-hugs that involves back-slapping and general mayhem. Then he leans down to kiss Lily’s cheek with practiced ease. “Hey, Sugar Queen.”
He squats to peer into the carrier. “And look who we’ve got—Linden, our future MVP.” He brushes a finger across the baby’s cheek, unexpectedly gentle. “Strong name. Suits him.”
Cam shoots Levi a grin. “You holding up, old man? Fatherhood stealing your beauty sleep?”
Levi chuckles, draping an arm back around Lily. “Wouldn’t trade the bags under my eyes for anything. He’s worth every sleepless night.” He looks down at his son, his expression so tender it makes my own chest ache. “Little man runs the show now.”
Looking back at his friend, Levi claps Cam on the shoulder. “You’re looking better than a week before, Wilder. You get settled in at the Lofts? Lily worked her magic.”
“Place is exactly what I need,” Cam says with sincere appreciation in his voice.
Then he glances back at me, mischief sparking in his eyes. He gestures toward me. “And Tara here is already proving herself to be Cedar Falls’s finest barista.”
And I have the decency to blush at his sarcastic burn.
Levi follows his gaze, a knowing glint in his eyes. “Oh, Tara’s more than just a barista. She’s the town’s secret weapon. Remembers everyone’s order after one visit. Keeps this place running smoother than my glove hand on a good night.”
Lily nods emphatically. “Seriously, Cam. It’s uncanny. She just… knows. Soon as she remembers yours, you’re officially Cedar Falls approved.”
He tips his head, voice pitched low enough that only I catch it. “Really? No kidding. Well… I’m honored you pranked me with decaf, then.”
The nerve. He takes my petty revenge and turns it into a joke we’re sharing. My chest tightens, traitorously, because it almost feels like flirting.
He looks at me again, his gaze more assessing now. “Must make life easier… having a memory like that.”
I ignore the wistful note in his voice and keep my smile plastered on. “Just part of the service. For instance, I remember exactly who likes their coffee strong and who can’t tell the difference between premium roast and dishwater.”
The three of them laugh, but Cam winks at me, like we’re in on an inside joke. It’s unfair, really. He gets to be charming and wonderful while forgetting the steamiest ten minutes of my recent life.
“Speaking of… Team Johansen-Wilder, what’ll it be? Fuel for the new dad, the sleep-deprived mom, and the tourist?”
Levi grins. “You know me, Tara. The lumberjack special. Eggs over hard, bacon extra crispy, hash browns well done, wheat toast.”
“Got it,” I say, scribbling without looking. “Levi: cardiac arrest on a plate, coming right up.”
Lily snickers. “I’ll be sensible. Veggie omelet with feta, side of fruit, wheat toast dry. And a large orange juice.”
“Sensible and delicious,” I confirm. My gaze slides to Cam. He’s watching me, that thoughtful look back in his eyes. It’s unnerving. “And for you, Mr. Wilder? Ready to tempt fate with Levi, or joining Lily in the land of responsible choices?”
He leans forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. “What do you recommend, Tara?” His voice is softer now, less performative. Almost… probing.
Is he flirting? Testing me? The uncertainty grates. So, I keep my tone light, breezy.
“Depends. Are you feeling brave or bruised? The kitchen’s special is ‘The Hangover Helper’ – three eggs, sausage gravy over biscuits, fried potatoes. It’s legendary. And potentially lethal.”
His laugh is boyish, unfiltered, the kind that sneaks past defenses. “Tempting. But maybe something a little less… commitment-heavy for my first Cedar Falls breakfast. How about pancakes? Blueberry, if you’ve got ‘em.”
“Commitment-free blueberry pancakes it is,” I say, writing it down, just for show. “Syrup on the side?”
“Always.” He holds my gaze a beat longer than necessary. “Thanks, Tara.”
The way he says my name, now that he’s heard it from Lily… it’s different. Not “sweetheart.” Not generic. Deliberate. As if he’s tasting it. My traitorous pulse skips.
Stop it. He doesn’t remember. This is just charm. Standard issue.
I force a nod and turn away before I do something stupid. Like demanding he explain why he kissed me like the world was ending—and then forgot about it.