Page 14 of Burning Obsession

But he doesn’t run in fright from my awkward attempt at flirting. He gives me a half-smile that teases so much more. "Good to know." He extends his hand across the table toward me, a crooked smile on his face. "I'm Victor."

I take his hand, shaking it. "Jake."

"So, is this normal for this place, or is it just like this today because you’re here?"

"No clue. I'm usually somewhere else."

"Oh? Cheating on your regular coffee place?" Victor asks, lifting his cup to his mouth and taking a sip of his coffee.

"Temporarily. Avoiding an uncomfortable situation."

"I won't tell." He bites his lower lip, his teeth dragging across the pink flesh.

"I appreciate your discretion in the matter."

Conversation comes surprisingly easily after that. We joke about the ridiculous number of people apparently desperate for caffeine today. He tells me how he has his own accounting business and volunteers as a big brother at the local Boys and Girls Club. I tell him I’m a firefighter, but I don’t go into much detail, wanting to know more about him.

Being with him feels comfortable, and I hate knowing it’s going to come to an end. That we’re going to walk out that door and I’ll never see him again.

Eventually, he checks his watch. "I should probably get going. I’ve got a video call that I need to get ready for."

My stomach sinks. I knew it was going to happen. And now it’s real.

He drains the last of his coffee before standing. "It was nice meeting you, Jake." He turns to head to the door.

My heart starts racing. I should say something. If I don't, I know I’m going to regret it later.

"Wait," I call out, stopping him mid step and he turns around. I stand up so quickly my chair scrapes across the floor. "So..." I stammer, rubbing my hand on the back of my neck nervously. "This is probably a long shot. I don't actually know if you're..." I laugh awkwardly. "You know."

His eyebrow lifts, and he lets out a chuckle. "I was wondering when you'd ask, because I have the same question. I just hope your answer matches mine."

Heat floods my face, and I take a breath. Here goes nothing. "Can I get your number? Maybe take you out to dinner sometime?"

For one terrifying second, there’s nothing but silence. He just looks at me, then he finally opens his mouth.

"I'd like that."

"You would?"

"I would."

I nearly drop my phone, getting it out of my pocket, then he rattles off his phone number. I type it into my contacts as fast as my shaking fingers allow, before sending him a quick text.

His phone buzzes, and he lifts it, looking at the screen.

"There. Now you have mine too."

"I do. I look forward to hearing from you."

Then he gives me another wink and strolls out the door. I watch him through the café window as he walks down the sidewalk, passing the front of the window. Halfway past the storefront, he glances back. Our eyes meet through the glass, and he smiles.

A smile that promises so much more. A chance at something between us.

A grin spreads across my face until my cheeks ache. I just had coffee with the hottest man I've ever met, and managed to ask him out. On a date.

And he said yes.

Chapter 4