“Yes, the mocha and …” I set down my purse and my laptop case and stepped to him in my black, figure-hugging sheath dress and peep-toe heels.“Listen, you don’t know anything about me or what I’m going through, and I don’t know anything about you—”
“I do know something about you,” he interrupted, meeting me until we stood toe-to-toe. “I know you are sexy and beautiful and you like coffee. I know you don’t hook up with strange men often.”
“Ever. I don’t hook up with strange men ever,” I corrected him.“And how do you know?”
He reached down and touched the fluttering vein pulsing at the base of my neck, caressing the area in soft strokes.“Be-cause you’re nervous and unsure. It’s cute, sexy.”
Cute. Sexy. I nodded, with no clue what to say next. Should I, shouldn’t I? I had reengaged my brain and it was getting in the way of what the rest of me wanted.
He grinned at me.“Let me get you that coffee.”
Coffee. Yes. That is what I came in here for. I stood there and continued to argue with myself. Was I really going to make a move on some strange guy at the coffee house? I mean, really? I sighed. I was bold, but I wasn’t that bold. Tonight, the only craving I was going to assuage was for flavored, expensive caffeine. I watched while he measured beans, steamed milk, and mixed syrups in a cup. I could watch him all day and feel it was twenty-four hours spent productively. I sighed again.
He looked over at me with a look that sizzled.“So … just the coffee?” He was giving me every opportunity to make a move.
Wimpy Jayla beat Wanton Jayla down. I shrugged.“Just the coffee.”
With a final stir, he capped the beverage and handed me the cup.“Tell me what you think.”
I took a sip, my eyes slid shut, and I moaned. It was the best white mocha on the face of the planet: sweet, fragrant, hot, rich, and strong. The chocolate flavor didn’t battle the coffee; it was a heavenly marriage of taste, texture, and spice. I took another sip and enjoyed the flavor of it exploding on my tongue and sliding down the back of my throat.“Oh my God.”When I reopened my eyes, his face had taken on a predatory gleam. “What?” I asked him.
“Your face when you drank the coffee … that was a look I’d like to see again. And again.”
I took a shaky breath and vowed to maintain some semblance of control.
“It’s okay, you know.”
“What’s okay?”
“I’m not going to do anything you don’t want.”
Ha! If he only knew … “Thanks.”
“Do you work around here?”
“Across the street. Are you new here? I haven’t seen you before.”
“I’m just helping to close tonight. I’m usually at one of the other stores.”
I nodded. “This is the best white mocha I’ve ever had. There’s something different about it. It’s not like the others I’ve had here.”
“I added a little something extra. It’s my own private formula.”
“Is that right?”
“Indeed.”
“What would a girl have to do to get the formula?”
“What would a girl be willing to do to get it?”
I let a slow smile spread across my face. This guy was trouble. In all caps and bolded. I liked it. I took a final sip of the brew and set the cup down.“What do I owe you?”
“It’s on the house.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
“Come back and see me.That’s payment enough.”
I flashed a grateful smile and gathered up my things. Nothing like stellar coffee and harmless flirting with a good-looking man to reinvigorate you. He came around the counter to unlock the door for me. As I walked past I said,“Thanks. For everything.”
“You’re welcome.” He took a step toward me and leaned down to whisper in my ear.“Just so you know … I would’ve given you anything you asked for.”
I paused midstep and shifted toward him a little. “Anything?”
“Absolutely.”
I lifted my eyes to his and we shared a smile as though we knew far more about each other than we really did. I nodded. “Good to know.” I moved forward.
“Have a nice night.”
“You do the same.” I strolled out into the night, wondering if I’d just dodged a bullet or missed out on something potentially great. Only time would tell.
Sweet Little Lies Page 25