Page 41 of Broken: Taylor

Annoyed, she huffed, “We make breakfast and lunch sandwiches. On Wednesdays, we make quiche. It’s what we do. Is there anything on the menu you’d like?”

This time he met her gaze. His hazel eyes lingered on hers and then trailed to her lips. “Actually, no I don’t see what I really want on the menu.”

Someone seated giggled and Eric turned to the older woman and winked. When he looked back to her, Mindy was sure her face was bright red.

“So, coffee and a sausage and cheese croissant as usual then.” She didn’t ask, but stated what he usually ate and turned to the small window where her employee was slicing meat. “Sausage and cheese croissant please Jenny.”

She took longer than necessary to pour his coffee into the insulated mug he always carried since her hand was shaking. Then before facing him, she took a slow breath hoping he didn’t notice.

Eric was speaking to the woman when she turned. “So you see, I think Miss Mindy here doesn’t like me much. So I try to annoy her as much as possible.”

“That’s not true. I don’t dislike you.” Mindy rolled her eyes.

“She’s lying,” he told the delighted woman. “She’s being nice because you’re here.”

Unable to figure out what exactly was happening, Mindy could only remain transfixed as he bent to look at a picture the woman showed him on her phone. The woman explained that her now deceased husband had been a police officer.

Mindy had to admit that Eric was mouthwateringly attractive. His rear pointed to her, she allowed her gaze to linger before trailing it up past his slender waist to the broad back. In his gear, the man could stop traffic without moving a finger.

“Up!” Jenny screamed more than said and plopped the sandwich on the counter.

“Do you want this to go?” Mindy asked Eric’s back.

He neared and picked up the coffee cup. “Yep. Thanks.”

Although she wanted him to leave so her breathing would normalize, she’d hoped not to have to wrap up the meal and bag it.

Thankfully a couple walked in and engaged Eric in a conversation and she was distracted enough to get his food bagged.

When he reached for the bag, his fingers touched the back of her hand and Eric met her gaze. “See you tomorrow.”

“If only I was twenty years younger,” the older woman said with a sigh. “He’s a cutie, isn’t he?” She smiled at Mindy.

“Yes ma’am. He is.”

And he was a flirt who enjoyed making her uncomfortable.