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Marcus. Gift. Marcus. Tall Hot Guy in next aisle— Gift, dammit.
Jack ducked out the aisle and moved toward the stairs. He’d try the sci-fi section.
Before leaving the nonfiction section, he glanced back once more.
Tall Hot Guy had gone.
Jack shook off the slight disappointment and charged down to the lower level, taking the stairs two at a time.
Twenty minutes later, he found the right gift. By the time he’d purchased it, he had ten minutes to spare before he had to leave to meet Brittany. The prospect of several hours in the chemistry lab left Jack in desperate need of caffeine. White Chocolate Mocha with an extra shot. Caffeine and sugar sounded good right now.
The walk to the café took him through most of the store, a frustrating trip that turned up no sight of Tall Hot Guy. At least the line was short.
Drink in hand, he headed toward the exit, but came to an abrupt stop when a young boy in a wheelchair rolled in front of him. Before the kid could pass, someone bumped him hard enough to knock him off balance. Unprepared for the contact, he watched his much needed caffeine and sugar splatter over the floor.
“Oh fuck, sorry.”
Jack twisted around, a fire in his eye that cooled off instantly. Tall Hot Guy quickly shoved his phone in his pocket, looking totally cute as he gawked wide-eyed at the mess he’d caused. The flush of red to his cheeks had Jack staring. “It’s all right.”
“Oh man, I’m so sorry.” Casting about for a place to put his bag, Tall Hot Guy settled on the counter and started snapping up napkins by the handful. He bent over to spread them on the tiles, and the waistband of his dark blue boxers peeked above his jeans. Jack’s gaze lingered a moment.
An employee came over with a mop, and Tall Hot Guy, still looking embarrassed, moved out of the guy’s way. No longer able to stare freely, Jack tossed the empty cup before getting back in line.
The guy appeared suddenly at his left hip. “Sorry again. I wasn’t paying attention.”
“It’s really okay.” Jack tried not to stare, but Tall Hot Guy had startling green eyes. Prickles skittered over Jack’s skin and heat crept to his face. This insta-attraction was far more intense than he’d experienced before. Maybe because they were standing so close and he wasn’t out drinking in a dark club.
The line moved up and Jack stepped forward with it. To his pleasant surprise, Tall Hot Guy came too. He had one hand shoved into his pocket and didn’t look like he was in any rush to leave.
The customer in front of them finished, and a teenage girl beckoned Jack forward.
“One medium White Chocolate Mocha to go.”
“Please,” Tall Hot Guy burst out from his side, “let me get this.” Jack jumped, startled. “I feel bad. It’s the least I can do.” He already had his wallet out before Jack could respond. He slid a twenty across to the girl. “Also one large cappuccino for here.”
“You really don’t have to.”
“Yeah, I do. Besides, it’s done now.” The girl handed him his change, and he dropped a dollar in the tip jar.
“Uh, thanks,” Jack said as they waited for their drinks. He tried to use the time they had to appreciate the lean, fit figure, casually resting one hand on the serving counter, but they must’ve had the fastest barista in the world, because way too soon their drinks were ready.
“You want sugar?”
Jack lifted his cup. “This is sweet enough.”
Don’t say goodbye. Let’s sit and drink together….
Jack opened his mouth to voice the thought, but only breath funneled out. Tall Hot Guy gave him a slight nod and moved off to an empty table in the corner of the café.
Using the excuse of refitting his lid, Jack watched him a moment longer, then headed out the store by way of Tall Hot Guy’s table. As he passed, their gazes connected once more, and Jack hesitated.
Stomach whipped with a flutter, he set his coffee on the table and plunked himself in the opposite chair. “I can’t let you sit by yourself after you bought my drink, now, can I?” He extended an arm over their purchases. “I’m Jackson. Jack.”
Tall Hot Guy stared at his hand a second, then gripped it firmly. A solid shake that had electricity rippling up to his shoulder. “Eddy—Ed.”
Jack’s iPhone dug uncomfortably into his hip. He took it out and put it on the table along with Marcus’s gift.
Tall Hot Guy—Ed—was probably straight and wondering why Jack was at his table. The confused look on Ed’s face told Jack it was time to go.
Ed said something Jack missed. “Sorry?”
Ed smirked over his drink. “Do you live around here?”
“Oh, sorry.” He shook his head. “Not really. I go to Harrison.”
Ed’s face scrunched slightly. “Good school.”
