The energy of that terror hits me hard, like ice-cold lead in my stomach.
I take his hands mine, gently kissing his fingers until I feel his energy settle. Then, with a soft grin, I say, “Do you know what Jessa calls you?”
His brow furrows, a tiny smile quirking his lips. “Do Iwantto know what Jessa calls me?”
“Mr. Cinnamon Buns.”
“Mr. Cinnamon… what? I’m not sure that’s…” He clears his throat, his cheeks darkening.
“In all the years I’ve known her, my best friend has never given another guy a nickname on my behalf. Let alone one as cute and sexy as Mr. Cinnamon—”
“Buns, yes, I’ve got it.” He laughs, nudging my nose with his. “So what was your point again?”
“The point, Kirin, is that I’ve been crushing on you forever. You once told me that the hours you spent with me every morning at Kettle Black were the best part of your day.”
“They were.”
“It was the same for me. Every day I opened the café, I couldn’t wait for you to show up, to inspire some crazy new tea blend. Just seeing you, talking to you, it made me feel seen and connected in ways I never had before, and we didn’t even know each other that well. There was just something about you.”
“There was something about you too.”
We watch each other for a moment, smiling like a couple of dopey kids. Finally, Kirin cracks up.
I give him a playful smack. “What on earth is so funny, Mr. Cinnamon Buns?”
“It’s not funny, but… I don’t know. Ridiculous? We both had such big crushes on each other, and it took you literally going to prison, me and Cass breaking you out and dragging you here, me kissing you, medreamingabout kissing you, all the time we spent together in the library, teaching you how to fly on a bicycle, and so many near-death experiences I’ve lost count before we could finally have this conversation.”
I return his easy laughter. “That should tell you something.What, I’m not sure. But something.”
He brushes my hair over my shoulder, dropping a kiss on my collarbone. “And to think, it all started with a cup of tea.”
“Well, my mom always said there’s no problem a perfect cup of the stuff can’t fix.” I smile, wondering what Mom would say now, what advice she’d have about my guys. She’d love them all, I’m certain of it, just as much as I do. And she’d wink and smile and tell me I must have a big heart to have so much room for them.
And then she’d tell me to go put the kettle on.
I smile even brighter, a new idea taking shape in my mind.
“Okay, what’s that look all about.” Kirin swirls his finger in front of my face. “You’re plotting.”
“Believe it or not, I actually have an idea.” I try to get out of bed, but Kirin grabs my hand and pulls me back.
“Not that I don’t love your brilliant mind, but any idea that has you leaving this bed sounds like theworst.”
“I will only be gone a few minutes.” I manage to wriggle free. “Just long enough to make tea.”
“Wait, what?” Kirin laughs, his eyes shining with love and amusement.
“Tea brought us together. And like Mom said, it can fix anything.”
“Even this?”
“Worth a shot.”
“So tell me, Queen of Leaves,” Kirin says, just like he did dozens of times at Kettle Black. “What do I need today?”
“I’msoglad you asked, Kirin Weber. I’ve got just the thing.”
His smile falters, turning into a pout. “This is the part where you leave the bed, isn’t it?”
