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It felt like an invisible wall stood between her and Caleb. Like she didn’t exist to him anymore. He’d hit the reset button on their relationship and gone back to ignoring her.
Malik shook his head. “Must have been scary.”
Penny nodded, trying not to remember it. “It was.”
“George is doing okay though, right?”
“Yeah. I talked to his son this morning. He says they’re moving him out of the CCU and into a regular room today.”
Caleb did turn around at that. His eyes found Penny’s and held them for a moment before skating away again. He set the coffee he’d made on the counter, called out the customer’s name, and went to make the next drink.
“You want the usual?” Malik asked Penny, already keying it into the register.
“Yep.” She really wanted a lavender latte, but she was too chicken to ask for it. Malik probably wouldn’t know what it was anyway.
She paid for her plain nonfat latte and went to take her usual seat at the counter. As she sat down, her gaze lingered on George’s empty stool, two over from hers, and her chest squeezed.
He was going to be fine. No need to get all teary again.
When she tore her gaze away, she caught Caleb watching her with a frown on his face. As soon as their eyes met, he turned away again.
What? The heck?
This was getting stupid. She needed to talk to him. But how? Not in front of Malik. She’d have to wait until he went into the back. Or maybe Caleb would go into the back and she could follow him.
She tried to think of ways to get him alone while she watched him work the espresso machine, but she kept getting distracted by how attractive he was. She couldn’t believe she’d actually kissed him yesterday. Those hands had been on her body. Those hips had pressed against her hips. That mouth had been on her mouth.
Focus. She needed to figure out how she was going to get him alone, and more importantly, what she was going to say to him once she did. She was torn between wanting to yell at him and wanting to ask him out on a date, neither of which seemed like the best course of action.
He was wearing a soft gray T-shirt, and tantalizing glimpses of his tattoo kept peeking out from under the sleeve. She’d had her hand on that biceps yesterday. She could have pulled his sleeve up and explored that tattoo up close, if only she’d thought to do it. Would she get another chance?
Her longing grew as she watched him, making it impossible to think of anything else. Lust scrambled her brain. She didn’t know what she was going to do, but she knew what she wanted to do. She wanted to do Caleb.
She was still daydreaming when he finally brought her drink over and set it in front of her. “Hey,” he said without meeting her eye.
At least he’d said something. He hadn’t tried to skulk away. Yet.
“Hello.” Penny stared at his mouth. She couldn’t help herself. Her mind flashed back to kissing him. To the sweet softness of his lips. The prickle of his stubble on her skin. His tongue exploring her mouth.
Nope. Stop. She pushed the image away and opened her mouth to speak—
The shop bell rang as a trio of businessmen came in, talking loudly. Caleb gave her an apologetic look and moved away to help them.
Sighing in defeat, Penny looked down at her latte. It had three hearts in the foam and lavender sprinkled on top. She lifted the mug to her lips and sipped. He’d made her a lavender latte without being asked.
What did that mean? Was it a sign he still wanted to be friends? A peace offering? Or an apology?
She didn’t want him to apologize. She wanted him to want to kiss her again. That wasn’t too much to ask, was it?
She drank her latte while Caleb made the businessmen’s drinks. Two Americanos and a flat white. They carried them to a table by the window where they began arguing about the Dodgers’ pitching staff. Malik was leaning against the counter staring at his phone, and Caleb was slicing lemons with his back to her.
Penny got up and went to the register. Malik glanced up at her and she shook her head. “Caleb,” she said, trying not to let her voice shake.
He set the knife down and turned around. His expression was as blank as stone.
“Can we talk?” Penny tilted her head toward the back. “Privately.” Was it her imagination, or did his eyes widen momentarily in fear?
He wiped his hands on a dishtowel and nodded. “Sure.”
