He leans back slightly in his chair, studying me like I’ve just given him something interesting to think about. “That depends.”
“On what?”
“On how much you’ve been thinking about me.”
My breath catches. Then I let out a small, shaky laugh, trying to play it off. “I work here. I think about all my regular customers.”
“Hmm. I have to assume I’m different,” he says quietly.
There’s no teasing in his voice now. And the way he says it sets my heart racing all over again. I open my mouth, but no words come out. Because he’s right. I swallow the lump sitting in my throat. My thoughts feel tangled. Caught somewhere between embarrassment and something far more dangerous.
“You seem very sure of yourself,” I manage finally, lifting my chin just a little as I meet his gaze.
His lips tilt slightly, making my stomach flip. “I am.”
Silence follows, but it doesn’t feel awkward. If anything, it feels…charged. Like something is building between us,somethingthat I’m not sure how—and am too afraid—to name quite yet.
“Order up, Nora. Table three is waiting.”
I turn to see Debby standing near the espresso machine. I frown at her crossed arms. She’s watching me with an expression I can’t quite read.
I turn back to Asher, shifting my weight slightly. Suddenly aware of how long I’ve been standing there. “I should…go,” I say reluctantly.
“Yeah,” he replies.
I hesitate for half a second longer, then turn and walk back to the counter, my pulse still racing. The second I’m out of his direct line of sight, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I look up to find Freddie’s knowing gaze on me.
“Don’t start,” I warn, my lips twitching at his disappointed look.
“At least, tell me what he said to you,” he whines.
I smile, shaking my head at him. “Isn’t your shift over?” I ask.
“Yeah, but I saw you talking to Mr. Dangerous, and I couldn’t stop staring.”
I open my mouth to respond, but before I can say anything, a voice cuts in from behind me. “We are here to work, not chitchat.” It’s Debby.
Then I remember the tray. “I’ve got it,” I say quickly, lifting the tray slightly.
Her eyes flick to it, then back to my face. “You seem…busy.”
“It’s my job,” I reply, trying to keep my tone neutral.
She lets out a small, humorless laugh. “Right. Just don’t get distracted. Some customers like to take advantage of that.”
The words land strangely. I blink at her, confused. “I’m not…”
“I’m just saying,” she cuts in, shrugging like it’s nothing. “Guys like him? They’re not looking for anything serious. They come in, flirt a little, have their fun, then move on. Don’t read too much into it.”
I stare at her for a second, caught off guard. Debby and I barely talk. We’ve worked together for weeks, and the most we’ve exchanged is the occasional shift-related comment. So, this warning feels out of place.
“Okay…” I say slowly, unsure how else to respond.
She watches me for another moment, then turns away like the conversation never happened. “Just do your job, Nora.”
I stand there for a second, tray in hand, trying to make sense of what just happened. The whole conversation just seems plain weird.
Freddie leans in closer, lowering his voice. “Ignore her.”
