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Not that I’ve ever had good taste in men.
I fell for the wrong guys for so long that I gave up on guys entirely.
Then I met Ryan.
And I tried to get over him. Really. When I started working here, he was still with Penny. I’m a lot of things, but I’m not a home-wrecker.
I had no intentions of stealing him from her.
I have no intentions of claiming him.
He’s been single for a year now. We’ve been friends all that time. More.
But that’s all we are.
That’s all we’ll ever be.
I’m okay with that. Really, I am.
Being his friend is a lot better than being his nothing.
I slide his hoodie over my shoulders. Turn as I inhale the scent of him. Lemon soap, rubbing alcohol (the shop reeks of it), and something distinctly Ryan.
“You want coffee?” he asks.
“I can do it.”
“Sit. I’ll fix it.”
“If you tell me why you’re frowning.”
“I’m not frowning.” His lips press into a smile. It’s genuine. It lights up his eyes. Softens his brow.
God, he has a nice smile. “Okay, why you were frowning.”
He shrugs like nothing has ever bothered him before—a hard claim for anyone to make.
But for someone as broody as Ryan? There’s no way he’s selling that.
He motions to the Keurig in the lobby. “It’s happening.”
“I have to restock it.”
“Already did it.”
I bite my lip. He does this all the time—gets to the shop early or stays late, does my job for me.
It’s nice, having less to do. It frees up my time. Lets me focus on graphic design instead of busywork.
But—“That’s my job.”
He shrugs. “I was here.”
“Thanks.” I guess.
He crosses the room and fills a pod with French roast.
The smell of coffee fills the room as I set up. Purse under the counter. Computer on. Come In, We’re Awesome sign turned. Schedule printed.
