"Noted, but next time throw someone else under the bus." Joe's lips twitched. He leaned closer. "You sure that's it?"
"All good." She tipped her head toward the shop's door. "I better go break Callie."
Even though he nodded and opened the door, his furrowed brow remained in place.
The sounds of murmuring mixed with coffee beans grinding greeted her. She inhaled the rich aroma. It was as stimulating as if she had sipped a cup of cappuccino herself. Waning sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows lining the front of the cafe. She walked past the chest-high walls on each side of the hallway. Game rooms were behind the walls. There were gathering areas with charge zones for electronics and gaming consoles hooked up to big-screen TVs.
"Do you do anything but play this game, Ryan?" An irritated voice drifted over the wall.
"Not my problem you guys suck. Are you going to play again or whine, Ethan?" Ryan's condescension hung in the air.
Olivia spied Ryan's copper hair when his pudgy body stood. Ethan and his buddy got up from the oversized tan couch, tossing their controllers on the cup-ring-stained wooden table. Ryan bumped Ethan's shoulder as they walked past him.
"Quitter."
Ethan shoved him, knocking him back a few steps. Ryan lunged forward, grabbing a handful of Ethan's shirt.
"Hey, knock it off! No fighting, you two." Joe slammed his fist on the wall, startling a few kids.
Ryan let go, snickering as he plopped back on the couch. Ethan glared at him as they stalked out of the game room. Ryan stared around the room. "Who's next?" A few boys shrugged and snagged the controllers.
Olivia ignored the boys and entered the main shop, the heartbeat of Cuppa Joe's. She swung right and shoved open the waist-high door, stepping behind the long counter. The space was narrow but efficient, while the front L-shaped counter gleamed with burnished steel and glass cases. She stashed her purse inside one of the cabinets lining the back wall. Above, a chalkboard covered the entire wall. The menu items were written in white chalk; the words flowed in a scrolling script. She washed her hands in the sink next to a shelf stocked with specialty beans, to-go mugs, and gear with mottoes like: Cuppa Joes: Rise and Grind; Life happens~ Coffee helps; and her favorite, Adulting begins after Coffee.
"Enjoy." Callie placed a big chocolate cookie into an eager outstretched palm. Neat rows of cookies, brownies, and cupcakes enticed patrons with a perfect match for a cup of java.
The teenager took a bite and walked toward the simple steel bar-like counters facing the front windows. Kids lounged on barstools gabbing while their phones charged next to them. A couple sat in colorful chairs across from each other at one table. A sagging love seat and two stuffed loungers covered in bright gypsy fabric softened the opposite wall. Another pair cuddled on a gray sofa. Her blond bob fell over her face when she drifted over, whispering in his ear. His mischievous grin grew as his letterman jacket stretched while pulling her closer.
"Hey." The cash register dinged as Callie finished ringing up a purchase.
"Hi. How was your day?" Olivia asked.
Callie's jet-black hair swung in a ponytail, showing off her sharp cheekbones, pointed jaw, and crystal-blue eyes. Her shoulders sagged when she rested her hip against the counter. Black yoga pants and a small work shirt enhanced her petite shape.
"Holiday shoppers kept the drive-thru busy, and kids piled in right on cue." She pushed off, untying her apron. "I better get going. I have to pick up Chloe from preschool." Chloe was her two-year-old daughter, who mirrored her mom in attitude and all.
Olivia raised her hand, not letting her off the hook. "Okay, but what about you? Any news?"
When Callie exhaled, tears glistened, threatening to fall as she hugged herself.
"Divorce papers are final. It's such a relief, but overwhelming thinking about how I will juggle work, classes, and Chloe on my own." She shook her head, staring over Olivia's shoulder. "I also don't like how he rolled over at the end, considering his endless tirades on never letting me or Chloe go. Makes me nervous."
She scrubbed her arms, then swiped at her tears. "But we're free now, and he's not worth my time or tears." A spark lit in her eyes as her jaw set with determination.
"Now that's what I want to hear!" Olivia gave her a big hug. Since she understood the difficult road of a single parent, she promised to do whatever she could to support them.
"So glad you're rid of that psycho. You know I'm here to help, right?"
When Callie pulled away, she planted a quick kiss on her cheek. "I do. You've been so awesome through all this... watching Chloe... listening to me rant... like the kid sister I never had." They both chuckled, but Callie turned serious. "Thank you, Olivia."
"Anytime."
"Can you come in an hour early tomorrow? I have a test I need to cram for on Monday."
"Sure." Olivia nodded and waved bye. Since her social calendar was a big fat zero, she might as well make a few extra bucks.
"Great. Have a good night." Callie walked away from the counter, waving at Joe as she made her way to the back exit. He nodded, but his eyes lingered on the hallway. When the rear door clicked closed, he returned to wiping the empty tables.
Interesting.
A steady flow of customers kept Olivia busy for the next few hours. The front door bells jingled. Sergio strutted in with his big lopsided smile, showing off the cleft in his chin. A mop of thick, straight black hair tumbled over his forehead. His wiry body weaved through the tables, turning a few girls' heads along the way. Jake followed him in but headed for the game room.
"Hey. Want a coffee?" Olivia returned an easy smile back at her best friend.
"Nah. Jake and I were hanging out and he decided he wants to try out a new video game he's thinking about for Christmas. Thought I'd ride with him and say hi before Manny picks me up. My big bro got a new hot rod and wants to show it off." Concern clouded his golden-rimmed brown eyes. "How are you doing?"
"You're the third person to ask me that today." She huffed, glancing at Joe. "I'm fine... I guess. Although, I'm thrilled for the break from school." Olivia pulled an elastic band from her pocket. She smoothed her hair back, securing it into a messy bun.
"Thought school would never end." He reached up and wiggled her knotted mass. "Your hair is getting long. Ready for a change?"
Her mouth opened, but the sharp reply dissolved on her tongue. Instead, she shifted away before he noticed the painful jolt of an old memory.
"Hey, I'm sorry, Olivia." He caught her arm before she could walk away. "It's an awful time of the year for you. I wish you had good memories of Christmas, not sucky ones filled with your dad." She wanted to pull away, but he leaned in, not letting her run away.
"Keep your hair long because you love it, not because your dad did," he pleaded with her.
"That's not why−"
"You were only five, Olivia. Whatever happened wasn't your fault. Let go and move on with your life."
She bit her bottom lip. "Easy for you to say. You have an amazing family. And I have moved on, but sometimes those flashbacks catch me by surprise and take hold... and I've trimmed my hair." Sergio rolled his eyes, making her smile. "Besides, my hair is what I like most about me. I'm not keeping it long because my dad liked it." She narrowed her eyes, daring him to disagree.
"Well, personally, I think your eyes are the best." His playful smile beamed as he batted his eyes at her. She snickered, nudging his arm.
"Thanks for the pep talk. I needed it."
"I get you, girl." He winked, pushing away from the counter.
"Best feature, huh?" She fluttered her eyelids like butterfly wings. He threw up his hands in feigned defeat.
"Moment's gone." They both chuckled, easing the knot in her belly. Even though she knew Sergio was right, a few memories had deep, painful roots.
Amy sauntered up behind Sergio. Her yellow polka-dotted cup's handle dangled from her finger while interest bloomed across her face.
"I'm goin
g back to check up on Jake. See ya." When Amy stepped in his way, he walked around her, oblivious to her blatant tactic. She and Olivia both watched him disappear into the game room.
"He got a girlfriend?" Amy cocked her head, handing Olivia her cup.
"No, Amy. He says he's too maxed out with school for dating. What can I get you?" Olivia didn't mask her impatience, grabbing the cup.
"Skinny vanilla latte."
Olivia placed the cup under the coffee machine. She inhaled the earthy smell of the ground beans as she pulled the shot of espresso.
Amy peered at the game room with a gleam in her eyes. "Hum, have to work on that," she mumbled. Olivia frowned as the whirr of the froth machine ended. Vanilla-scented steam rose as she added the frothy milk. When she lifted the cup, the door jingled, signaling another arrival. She peeked up and gasped.
What's he doing here?
The hot liquid sloshed over the edge. As Olivia stifled her yelp, the cup tipped and spilled, running like a river over her hand and onto the counter. Her seared hand shook as she watched it go from pink to an angry red, clanking on the counter as she almost dropped it.
"Hey!" Amy hopped backward, avoiding the splatter. Olivia's cheeks felt as scorched as her burn. She snagged a towel, ignoring the rush of pain and embarrassment.
"Give me the rag."
Olivia's stomach dropped when she looked up at the emerald eyes that belonged to only one guy.
Zach.
Chapter Two
Olivia
"Ouch! Are you okay?" Amy grimaced at Olivia's burn.
Fourth time... argh.
Already embarrassed, Olivia relinquished the cloth to Zach and hurried to the sink. She sighed as cool running spray soothed the angry splotch. She scooped a handful of water with her other hand and took a sip. What was it about this guy that flustered her? Besides the obvious fact he was cute, it was more than just his good looks. It was an instant pull to him that excited yet angered her because she had no control over it. She knew what happened when someone had an emotional hold over another person. They hurt you, crushed you, changed your life forever. Olivia had no intention of letting it happen to her... ever. Before she made a bigger fool of herself, she needed to reel in her emotions.
Good luck with that.
"Yeah, no worries. Sorry I spilled your drink. Let me make you a fresh one."
She shut the water off, patting it dry with a towel. It felt raw, but no signs of blisters. She took extra care folding the cloth, giving her another moment to collect herself. She turned and faced the stares of Zach and Amy, one concerned and one apathetic.
"Perfect. And I'll make a new friend." Amy shifted her attention to Zach. She flipped her hair in front of her, mirroring a cascading blond waterfall. But Zach's gaze held little interest. Even as Olivia worked on the latte, her curiosity dictated a few stolen glances.
"Hi. I'm Amy. Haven't I seen you at school?" Amy turned on a megawatt smile, offering her hand.
"Zach. Yep, we moved here a few months ago." He shook her hand but stepped backward.
She perked up on her tiptoes. "Hey, I'll show you my favorite places around town during the break. It'll be—"
"My folks have made family plans, so−"
How pathetic. Olivia stifled a snort.
"Here you go." Amy reached out, not taking her eyes off of Zach. It took all of Olivia's willpower not to drop the cup. But she'd just have to clean up the mess, keeping Amy at the counter even longer.
"Thanks." Amy took a sip but didn't leave. "We could—" But she didn't finish, because Zach turned his back on her and faced Olivia, kicking her pulse up a notch. Amy closed her mouth, forming a pout.
"Maybe you should have your burn looked at?" His grin showed off a dimple in his right cheek.
This guy is trouble.
"Uhhhh, no... it's fine." She wiped her sweaty palms on her apron. "But thanks." When she glimpsed her hands shaking, she snatched another towel and wiped the espresso machine to hide her body's betrayal.
"Hope to bump into you again." Amy brushed her fingertips against his forearm. Her smile slipped as Zach nodded, holding Olivia's gaze. Amy took off in a huff, but not before she gave Olivia a scathing glare.
Whatever...
Zach surprised her when he reached across the counter and placed his hand over hers. His long fingers encircled her wrist and tugged it toward him. Although she pulled back, he didn't let go.
"I need to look for myself." His determined eyes held hers, drawing her closer until she was precariously near him.
Lord, a girl could lose herself in those emerald pools.
Heart hammering, she broke eye contact and peered at her fair-skinned hand being examined inside his tan one. A strand of his hair spilled forward as he scrutinized her injury, turning it toward the light. "Olivia, right?" She nodded, cringing at her moist palm inside his warm touch. But he didn't seem to notice as his thumb skimmed over the red skin, creating a tingling sensation not stimulated by the wound. "I'm Zach."
"Yeah, I overheard. What..." She tugged again. "Are you a boy scout or a doctor-in-training?" She shifted her weight as a tingle zipped up her arm. "Really... it's fine." He smiled as he stole a sidelong glance.
"The skin will be tender, but it won't blister." When he released it, she tucked both hands into her apron pocket. "And yes, I'm an Eagle Scout."
Cute and a do-gooder... Too good to be true.
Run away while there's still a chance.
"How 'bout that." She smiled, struggling to sound nonchalant as she waved at the machinery. "Can I make you a cup of coffee?"
He scanned the wall behind her. His brow scrunched as he pointed at the chalkboard.
"That's quite a list of drink options, but I just drink black coffee."
And a no-frills kinda guy... figures.
"Sure, I can do that." She pointed to the shelves on the next wall. "Choose a mug, and I'll fill it with coffee."
"That's a cool idea." He walked over and faced three long shelves stocked with eclectic mugs. He slipped his hands into his pockets, taking his time exploring his choices. Olivia watched with interest. To her, each mug told a story and gave a peek into the customer's personality when they singled it out. After considering a few, he stretched to the top shelf and picked a speckled gray enamel mug with a glazed black handle. The corners of her lips twitched. She had always imagined a dusty cowboy at campfire after a long day on the trail enjoying his hot coffee from that mug.
Eagle Scout with a dash of cowboy... gulp.
He strode over, handing her the modest mug. "Here you go."
She tilted her head, filling it with rich dark brew. "Why this one?"
"I don't know." Rocking back on his feet, a smile appeared. "I like how it's different from the others... Uncomplicated in look and unassuming by nature. I guess that's what attracts me." A darker green flashed in his eyes as he lifted his brow. "Which mug would you pick?"
A warmth spread across Olivia's chest. She got the distinct impression he was comparing her to his cup choice, an insult to most girls. But his straightforward response exposed how he dug deeper, past the superficial to what lay beneath the surface. Just as she did. A customer showed up behind Zach, saving her from stammering out her reply.
"Sorry, how much do I owe you?" He reached for his wallet, giving his head a brief shake.
"On the house." She shooed him away with a wave of her hands. "For checking me out... I mean my burn."
Face-palm...
"You're welcome." He chuckled as he raised his mug to her. Her heart did a flip, while her hands wanted to strangle herself.
Yep, I'm in big trouble.
He stepped aside and took a sip. "Mmm, that's good." He spotted an empty stool by the windows. Hooking his trail boot on the stool's leg, he had another sip while looking out the window. She wondered what he was thinking as she accepted a frilly cup from an animated girl talking into her sparkled-pink phone.
Angry shouts rose from the game room
. Heads turned; cups paused mid-air. Olivia did a double-take when a copper-haired boy and a black-haired boy, locked together, stumbled into view. They wrestled while moving into the center of the shop. Chairs scraped, and nervous chatter grew as people cleared a path for the scuffling boys, not wanting to become part of the melee. A few guys tried to separate them, but haymakers flew as they each grappled for the upper hand.
"No one beats me. No one!" Ryan fought against the arms trying to hold him back.
"It's just a stupid game!" Sergio shoved Ryan’s heaving chest.
Ryan grabbed Sergio's shirt and rammed him against a table, but he lost his footing, falling sideways, bringing Sergio with him. Sergio's shirt ripped as they crashed to the floor in front of Zach. Olivia couldn't see Ryan, but Sergio had his fist raised high, a snarl on his face.
Joe pressed his way through the crowd. "Stop fighting! Hey!"
Shocked, Olivia charged out from behind the counter to break up the fight, only to find Joe and Zach had separated them. Joe hauled Ryan up off the floor while Zach helped Sergio. He put himself between the pair. Ryan's face was as red as his hair, baring his teeth as if he'd loved to take a bite out of Sergio.
"Get out! I've had it with you. And don't come back here again!" The muscles twitched in Joe's jaw as he pointed to the door.
Ryan yanked his arms out of the restraining grips, sneering at the crowd. "Don't worry. I won't be back to play with this bunch of losers." He swiped at the blood trickling from his lip.
But something else caught Olivia’s attention. Out of the corner of her eye, a dark shape materialized. Olivia stilled as the shadow emerged behind the crowd and floated toward Ryan. She blinked a few times as dread prickled at the base of her spine. As much as her brain wanted to believe it was Ryan's shadow, her eyes told her otherwise. A body of thick dark smoke with wispy arms and legs came to a stop and hovered near him.
"We're not finished here, amigo." Ryan pointed at Sergio. Before Sergio could reply, he straightened his shirt and shoved open the front door, disappearing into the dusky night.
Mark of Orion Page 3