Which is when a young man with white skin and a worried smile rushes behind the counter. “Sorry about that. Needed a new battery.”
He grabs an apron with the Grind logo embroidered on it. And while he’s putting it on, he sees me and his eyes light up. This must be who Grandma said was watching me at the bar. It’s nice to be noticed now and then, but he’s way too young for me. I doubt he’s more than twenty.
“Hey.” His smile is flirty as can be. “What can I get you?”
“Nothing,” says Nash, as the smile falls off his face.
“But I can—”
“No.”
“Well, how about—”
“No!”
The young man just blinks as Nash works the coffee machine. He looks like an expert and has the order ready in no time. Which again raises the question of what’s going on here?
“Thanks again for your help,” says Isa.
“Anytime.” Nash wanders out from behind the counter with my cardboard cup and food container thingy in hand. “Let’s walk.”
We head out into the sunshine. I, of course, take the coffee first. Neither of us says a word, until we’ve passed the hair salon next door. Sabrina is busy inside with a customer. Which reminds me, I need to get my bangs straightened. It’s a miracle Nash’s hair wound up okay. And it likely has more to do with how thick and gravity defying it is than any talent on my part. He’s wearing the same pair of jeans, boots, and a matching black tee. Very country slash rockstar.
“Can you believe that kid?” he asks in a disgruntled tone.
“You haven’t forgotten we’re actually fake, right?”
“Of course not. But hitting on you right in front of me like that…the balls on him.”
“Okay,” I say. “I was wondering if varying your wardrobe might be helpful as part of your disguise.”
He looks over his clothes. “Could be a good idea. Let’s do it.”
“So you have barista skills.” And it’s the truth—there’s no taste of bitterness. He didn’t scald the beans. This is an excellent cup of coffee. “Tell me about that.”
“Having a proper coffee machine was on my rider,” he says. “That’s the list of demands you give the place where you’reperforming. I didn’t want another person following me around but I did want fresh coffee, so I learned how to work it. Though I really don’t know how to cook. Your ex and I have that in common. Caffeine just always seemed more important than food. That and trying different restaurants is one of the highlights of touring.”
“Did you really go to morning meditation?”
“I really did. We sat in a circle around this big maple in the park and pondered our existence.”
“That actually sounds relaxing.”
“Yeah. Then I went in search of coffee and they needed a hand, so…” He pauses outside the art gallery. And his gaze goes discreetly up and down the street. “People keep staring at me.”
“Thought you were used to that sort of thing.”
“I am,” he says. “But I don’t like it.”
“It may not be what you’re thinking. We caused a lot of gossip last night. And, not to objectify you, but you’re a handsome specimen.”
He gasps. “June, are you hitting on me?”
“Not even a little.”
“Thank goodness for that. Your grandma would be outraged and I’d get the stick.”
“Nash, my friend, I’m simply stating a fact. We can’t help any fans from thinking you look familiar. You’re just going to have to do your best to act ordinary.”
