Page 14 of Blush Crush

A silent shudder runs through my body. I’m certain he does this on purpose. He wants me to feel uncomfortable. Though I can’t for the life of me figure out why he even bothers. It’s been nearly five years.

“That everything?”

He nods. “That’ll do it.”

I direct him to tap his card so I don’t have to accidentally brush hands with him.

While he does that, the bell above the door jingles, and when I turn to greet the customer, I see it’s Cole, and for whatever reason the tension coiling tightly inside me unravels.

Cole might annoy me on occasion and try to push my buttons, but he’s nothing like Marcus. Cole isn’t someone women have to protect their drinks from at the Jackalope. Marcus, on the other hand, has a reputation for being creepy. He’s never been caught, but rumors like that don’t usually appear out of thin air.

“Can I have some ice?” Cole cuts in, practically pushing Marcus out of the way, clearly in a rush.

And for once I’m thankful for his lack of spatial awareness. Or at least his lack of it when it comes to being in my coffee shop.

“What’s wrong with your ice?”

“Machine’s not working,” he says, his breath short like he ran over here.

“Do you mind?” Marcus sneers. “I’m trying to pay.”

“Oh.” Cole’s face twists. “Sorry, man.”

He sounds about as sincere as a used car salesman.

Marcus’s expression twists, but that’s the extent of his reaction. I guess even he knows better than to try and take someone like Cole on. Where Marcus tops out at about five-nine on a good day, with a soft stomach and flabby arms, Cole towers over him. Not to mention the muscle cording Cole’s thick arms, prominent veins over tan, rugged skin. His bulging biceps alone are enough to intimidate most men.

Cole shoves past Marcus, checking him into a barstool as he moves to my side to grab some ice. I’m not sure if it was an accident or not, but I’m forced to stifle a laugh.

“Some Karen is demanding ice for her red wine,” Cole says. “Fucking sacrilegious, but I’m not going to risk pissing her off and getting our first nasty review.”

“Can I get a receipt?” Marcus asks.

“Sure,” I tell him absentmindedly. I don’t want to give him any more attention than necessary, and with Cole literally in the way, it’s the perfect excuse to brush him off. “Here you go.” I slide the receipt across the counter and spin on my heel before he can engage me in another stupid exchange.

Once Sadie finishes making his drink, he takes off, and the breath I was holding releases. Marcus doesn’t come in often, but when he does, he makes sure to not go unnoticed.

“You okay?” Cole asks, attention on my sagged shoulders.

“Yeah.” I sigh.

His brows pull together. “Don’t tell me you’re into that guy too?”

My head rears back. “No. Never again.” I shake my head, pushing the memories from the forefront of my mind.

“Again?” he nearly yells. “As in there’s a history there?”

He sounds oddly disappointed in me, and it makes me feel like a deflated balloon. My skin reddens, heat spreading across my chest.

“It was a long time ago. I’m not sure why he comes in here and basically taunts me about it.”

I didn’t mean for that last part to slip out, but it’s too late to take it back now. Based on the look on his face, I can see that Cole didn’t miss it.

“What do you mean he taunts you? You know you can refuse him service? That’s your right as a business owner.”

I’m not used to seeing Cole act serious—I almost think he’s joking.

Shrugging, I try to downplay it. “It’s not that big a deal.”