“You’re the lawyer!” She gasped, loudly. A few people sitting near the counter turned toward us. “Oh my gosh! He left out how hot you are when he told me about you!”
I let out another nervous chuckle before sending apologetic smiles to the customers around us.
“Yeah, the lawyer,” I murmured. “Is he around?”
“Oh, yeah! I’ll grab him. Do you want something to drink while you wait?”
I nodded, appreciative of the segue into neutral territory, and ordered a London Fog along with a sandwich the menu called a ‘Brie Mine’. It was touted as being satisfyingly fancy with thick-sliced ham, melted brie, fig jam, and arugula on toasted sourdough.
Chris flitted off once I’d paid, presumably to get my order ready and grab Colton, while I found my way into a seat near a window in the back. The view of the clear blue river with massive trees overarching it definitely wasn’t hard to look at. The building was sitting on prime real estate, which had me once again wondering how Colton had managed to pull all this off.
I was scrolling on my phone a little bit later when a plate was set down before me on the table. Lifting my gaze, I found Colton grinning smugly, my drink being offered to me like a consolation prize for a bet I hadn’t known I’d lost.
“Missed me so much already that you’re playing hooky?” He tutted, shaking his head. “You just started, Derek.”
I took the warm drink, rolling my eyes. “Just couldn’t stay away, my dear.”
Colton slid into the chair across from me. “Well, welcome to my second mortgage.” He spread his arms wide.
“Yeah, I was wondering how you could afford all this.” I took a bite of the sandwich, a groan escaping me before I could stop it.
Colton looked like the cat who ate the canary. “Say it louder for the people in the back.”
I gave a short laugh, scooping the jam I could feel at the corner of my mouth with my thumb.
“Don’t flatter yourself. I didn’t eat lunch. At this point,anything above McDonald's would send me to heaven.” I licked my finger, fully aware it wasn’t the most elegant move, but hunger trumped manners right now.
Colton’s gaze flicked to my mouth before meeting my eyes, his brow furrowing. “You missed lunch? Is Dad working you that hard already?”
I glanced at him, shaking my head, before leaning in for another bite. “Nah, just trying to get the lay of the land. Skipped lunch on accident.”
That answer didn’t seem to appease Colton as his face twisted up, but instead of lecturing me he just sighed.
“Well, I’m off in a little bit. We can go get dinner if you’re still hungry after that.” He motioned toward my mostly consumed sandwich.
“When do you get off?” I asked, shooting a quick glance at the watch on my wrist. It was nearly five o’clock.
“In thirty minutes,” he replied.
“Oh, yeah. I’ll be hungry again by then.” I leaned back, taking a sip of my drink and savoring the sweet undertones.
“Cool.” He rapped his knuckles against the table lightly as he stood. “Let me know if you need anything.”
I watched him make his way back to the counter before trading off with Chris at the register. Taking another sip of my drink, I let my mind wander as I continued to follow Colton with my eyes as he finished out his shift.
I still couldn’t believe he had come out to me—someone he’d basically just met.
The memory of the smile he wore when he told me came drifting back. How the corners of his eyes had crinkled despite his grin feeling just a little too practiced. Something had been swimming behind those green orbs, too. Something that had looked suspiciously like steeling oneself.
Colton hadn’t struck me as someone that liked men. I mean, I knew you couldn’t tell just by looking at someone… or at least you shouldn’t assume. But, my exposure to the gay community had been limited. I had heard my fair share of gay slurs thrown around in locker rooms, though. I chewed on the inside of my cheek. Had Colton had people talk to him like that? I couldn’t imagine how it’d feel to know they were speaking aboutyouwhen those words came up. And the hostility that some people expressed toward that community? It made staying closeted so understandable—especially in a state like Texas.
The more I thought about it, the more in awe of Colton I was. Would I be able to be that open and proud if I were in his shoes? Would I really say I was into men, out loud, especially if I knew I was also into women?
Sucking in a sharp breath, I shook my head. No point in stressing about it, given I was straight.
The rest of Colton’s shift, I watched him manage the counter. Greeting customers, making drinks, bouncing back and forth through the swinging door to the kitchen. His smile was bright but it was the one he reserved for customers. I didn’t know how I knew that, but I did. His real smile was different.
When a lanky guy with a mess of platinum blond curls came into the cafe and swapped out with Colton, I gathered my things to leave. He met me by the door, and as we walked out of the cafe together, the early evening sun hit us with full force. Colton groaned dramatically.
