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“They’re amazing.”
It had to be the same person. Stepping out of line, he walked around to the table prepared to say hello, until he remembered he didn’t know her name. Not that something like that ever stopped him from talking to a woman. “You’re a regular here, too?”
The woman’s head snapped up. “You could say that. Besides, no one makes better Italian wedding cookies than this bakery.”
“Do you mind if I sit? I promise not to spill anything on you this time.” He let his mouth curve into a smile.
The woman moved the unopened magazines on the table. “Have a seat. I already finished my coffee so it’s probably safe,” she said with a straight face despite the laughter dancing in her eyes.
“That puts my mind at ease.” Trent sat down before he continued. “I don’t think I got your name the other day.”
“My name is Addison, but my friends usually call me Addie.” Addie closed the magazine she had open and added it to her pile.
He’d given her his business card the other day but it seemed appropriate to give her his name now anyway. “It’s nice to see you again. I’m Trent.” He stuck out his hand.
Addie accepted and out of habit his eyes went to her left hand, which was bare of any rings. “You didn’t get burned the other day, did you?” The day following the incident he’d expected a phone call from a law office saying he was being sued for scalding a woman with hot coffee.
Addie shook her head, a stray piece of chestnut-colored hair falling over her forehead. “Believe it or not, I’ve spilled hotter coffee on myself before.” She tucked the hair back behind her ear.
“I’m serious about the top. Please send the bill to me.” His stomach growled when a student walked by carrying a slice of Tiramisu.
“The stains came out in the wash. I wore the top again yesterday.”
His mouth watered when he caught a glimpse of a pizza going by. “I need something to eat. Can I get you anything? Another coffee?” If he couldn’t cover the dry cleaning bill at least he could buy her a coffee today.
For a few seconds she considered his words. “If you think that’s safe,” she said with humor in her voice. “Otherwise, some water would be great, too.”
“Since we’re both seated I think we’re okay. How do you like your coffee?”
“Extra light with sugar.”
“Be right back.” Trent stood and rejoined the line at the counter.
A few minutes later, he placed a plastic tray with two mugs of coffee and a spinach pie on the table. “Maybe you should take your coffee off yourself.”
With a small chuckle she reached for the extra light coffee. “Excellent choice. I had that for lunch yesterday.”
“You do come in here a lot.” Trent wasted no time taking a bite of his food.
“My office isn’t far from here so I’m here at least once a day.” She popped another piece of her cookie in her mouth and then washed it down with her coffee. “The girl that just finished washing the tables is my cousin and the woman that waited on you is my aunt. My uncle is probably back in the kitchen.” Addie took another sip from her coffee. “I don’t remember ever seeing you in here before. And trust me, I’d remember.”
“Whenever I visit my father’s office I stop in. Now that I’m working in the city, I’ll be around more.” Trent tore his spinach pie in half.
“Thanks for the warning. I’ll make sure to pay extra attention when I’m walking around here from now on,” Addie said, her voice lighthearted.
Trent smiled and took a good look at the woman seated across from him. Thanks to his behavior over the years and his well-earned reputation, most women, especially unmarried ones, flirted with him or made outright sexual overtures. Except for perhaps his younger sister Allison, no females ever razzed him with slightly insulting jokes. And he liked it. In fact, he liked that he could just sit and enjoy coffee with a woman who didn’t seem to expect anything but perhaps a conversation from him.
“You mentioned your office isn’t far from here. Who do you work for?”
Addie wiped her hands on her napkin. “Myself now. I used to work for Ducat and Wakefield Designers in Boston, but I opened my own office here two years ago.”
“You must be talented. My stepmother hired them to redecorate their estate on the Cape. She insisted they were the best.”
A hint of pink colored Addie’s cheeks and she glanced down. “I worked on that project. It was one of the last ones I worked on before I left. It’s a gorgeous estate.”
The color on her face intrigued him. He’d never seen anyone blush from a mere compliment. “Why did you leave?” He reached for the other half of his food, content to sit and continue their conversation.
Across from him, Addie folded and unfolded the cover of a magazine. “I wanted more control. I learned a lot working for Ducat and Wakefield, but they keep all their employees on a tight leash. All ideas need to be approved by management before they can be presented to clients. Working for myself, I can work closely with my clients. Really get to know them. It makes it easier.” Addie glanced down at her wristwatch and pushed back her chair.
