Page 31 of Where Roads Lead

“You were?”

“Yup.” He pushed the door open. “After you.”

Shrugging, I stepped inside, welcomed by the aroma of coffee beans and pastries.

I turned to Will, who was still staring at me.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

“Why are you wearing a sweater with shorts?” He peered down at my outfit. Red gingham shorts paired with a maroon sweater. I thought it was whimsical.

I clicked my tongue in offense. “Why are you wearing like a bazillion keys on your pants?” I looked pointedly at the ring of keys attached to his belt loop.

“Because people trust me to take care of their business when they need help,” he said, arching a brow as if to say, Now you?

“I’m wearing a sweater because the mornings are chilly, and shorts because the afternoons are warm.” I clasped my hands on the counter, staring up at him with daring eyes. “Happy?”

He frowned.

“So, you’ve just contented yourself with having one half of your body being uncomfortable for the whole day?”

“I’m not uncomfortable,” I told him. “Thanks for the concern, though.”

“I’m not concerned.” He bristled. “I’m confused.”

“And here I thought a guy like you didn’t get confused about anything.” I smirked at him, finding great entertainment in the easy banter we always seemed to fall into.

He could keep up. I appreciated that about him. There was nothing worse than making a funny comment and being met with a blank stare.

It was then that I noticed Ava behind the counter, staring at Will. As a writer, I’d made a habit of studying people. Their behaviors, their mannerisms, their expressions.

Which is why it stuck out to me like a sore thumb the way her face lit up when she noticed him.

“You’re back already?” she said before finally landing on me. Her expression dropped almost instantly. “Oh. Hi, Elsie.”

Ouch.

If I hadn’t met her that first day, I could’ve written it off as her not being naturally open to new people. But there was a distinct difference in the way she’d interacted with me that morning and the icy way she was staring at me now.

And considering I was decently certain I hadn’t done anything to piss her off since then, I could only assume that maybe she was keeping me at arm’s length on account of Will’s former reluctance toward me.

But we were past that, weren’t we?

“Good morning.” I smiled warmly at her, hoping it might counteract her coldness.

“What can I get for you?” she deadpanned.

Annnnd, to no avail.

“I got it,” Will told her, sliding around the counter.

“I thought you ran out to do an errand?” she asked pointedly.

“I decided to go later,” he responded in the same clipped tone that invited no further comment.

Apparently, Ava didn’t care.

“You can go now,” she told him. “It’s not going to get busy again for a few hours.”