Molly’s face heated. She pressed a lid onto the to-go latte she had made and handed it to a customer. “Uh, no. I don’t even know him. Plus, he’s kind of my boss. That would be weird.”
Katie laughed before passing another coffee to a customer and thanking them for coming in. “I’m your boss, actually. I run the cafe. But you’re right. I’d hate for you two to have a falling out and for you to leave me.”
Molly’s stomach sank. She couldn’t date a co-worker. That was just asking for trouble. Especially one who was her supervisor. But somehow having it spoken out loud felt like a door slamming shut.
But she knew it was for the best. She had only been in town for a few weeks. Had only known Eli for a week. The last thing that should ever be on her mind was dating someone. She hadtoo much baggage to deal with first, like figuring out what she wanted to do with her life.
“I won’t be leaving anytime soon,” Molly said.
“Good.” Katie tossed an arm around Molly’s shoulders. “I have a feeling we’re going to be great friends.”
They quickly got back to work, helping everyone who came in, and when the lunch rush finally ended, Katie and Molly leaned against the counter.
“I’m surprised how busy it gets in here. I thought being a small town meant there wouldn’t be a lot of customers,” Molly said.
Katie laughed. “You’d think so, huh? But it helps that we’re one of the few places that serve more than drip coffee.”
A woman with bright blue glasses walked through the door and up to the counter. She tapped her nails on the countertop while peering around the store as if she was looking for someone.
Katie stifled a giggle, and Molly looked at her curiously before stepping up to the counter. “Hi, welcome in. What can I get you?”
She continued to look around before looking at Molly. “Oh, um, just a latte. Oh wait. What’s Eli’s favorite drink?”
Molly furrowed her eyebrows. She didn’t know what Eli preferred since Katie usually made his drink before she arrived in the morning. But a customer asking was weird. “Um. I’m not sure.” She looked behind her to where Katie was standing. “What’s Eli’s favorite drink?”
Katie still had a ridiculous smile on her face. “He loves vanilla lattes.”
The woman’s smile widened. “I’ll take two, please.”
Molly rang her up and took her payment while Katie made the drinks. Once Katie passed them off, the woman eagerlyrushed away toward the bookshelves, still craning her neck and looking around.
“What was that about?” Molly asked.
Katie laughed. “Just watch.”
Eli walked through the store, looking down at a book in hand. Then the lady with the blue glasses rushed up behind him, calling his name. He stopped walking, and the look on his face was pure torture, but he schooled his features before turning to face her. The woman handed him a drink and said a few things before batting her eyelashes.
A moment later, Eli turned around and his eyes shot straight to Katie. If looks could kill. He stormed their way, and Molly took a step back with her eyes wide. She wanted no part of that angry man. Katie laughed gleefully and only waved with a wiggle of her fingers.
Molly watched, half amused and half terrified of what he would do. He stopped in front of Katie and narrowed his eyes. “Did you encourage that?”
“Of course not. She only asked what your favorite drink was, and I answered,” Katie said before laughing again and then batting her eyelashes like the other woman did.
His eyes shot to Molly, and she widened her eyes with her hands raised in surrender. “She’s telling the truth.”
He looked between them and then frowned before taking a sip. “I guess if she’s going to stalk me, at least I get a free coffee out of the deal.”
“You get free coffee anyway.”
He shrugged. “Semantics.”
Molly watched the exchange between them and furrowed her eyebrows before speaking softly. “She’s stalking you?”
“Basically.” He looked over his shoulder. The woman was on the far side of the store, but she waved when she spotted him.Eli turned back to face them. “Her name is Lauren. She’s been showing up daily for a while now. Always runs into me.”
“Literally,” Katie said while giggling.
Molly looked over to where Lauren still stood at the far end of the store, not even attempting to hide that she was staring at Eli. When she spotted Molly looking at her, she glared.
