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“They look great,” I said with a nod. “You all always do a good job.”
The lights on the trees were somewhat haphazard but festive. The small porch in the front where customers enjoyed their coffee and food in the warmer months had lights strung up above and dangling down. Instead of a wreath, a cluster of sleigh bells had spruce tied around it with a big red velvet bow mounted to the door.
The bells jingled as we opened it, heralding our arrival. Warmth enveloped us as we entered, with the almost-winter air following us into the café in a swirl. Phyllis let out a satisfied sigh as she squeezed my elbow before sliding her arm out.
I stopped at the back of the line, and she looked up at me. “Are you okay?” she asked.
It was early yet, and a few customers were over in the corner, but Hazel was busy talking quietly with the one customer in front of us, so we had a moment of privacy.
I considered her question before nodding. “I am. Sometimes life gets me overthinking.”
Her perceptive gaze held mine as her lips curled into an understanding smile. “That it does. Thinking too much really is like chasing your tail. If you had one, that is.”
With that, she winked and hurried behind the counter, pushing through the waist-high swinging door into the back. When I got to the counter, Hazel beamed when she saw me. “Good morning, Quinn. I always love seeing you.”
“The feeling’s mutual,” I said lightly.
As she prepped my coffee a moment later, she asked, “Do you want anything to eat?”
Just then, the door opened with another gust of winter air blowing in. I reflexively glanced back to see Tessa Hensen walking in with Fiona and Blake Cannon. I smiled at them before replying, “I’ll take one of those orange cranberry muffins.”
Tessa stopped beside me. “Hey there, Quinn. I’m assuming you’re like me. You’re here early because you’re going to work early.”
“You know it,” I returned as I stepped to the side.
“I always feel smarter when I see you,” she added.
“Smarter?” I prompted
She smiled. “Absolutely. You were the smartest girl in our class. Valedictorian and everything.”
Fiona, who was newer to town, glanced over, her brows rising. “Wow.”
I shifted my shoulders before shrugging. “Not really. I was a rule follower. Research shows that valedictorians actually don’t end up being the most successful in life. We’re just good at following rules and doing what we think others want.”
Tessa’s eyes narrowed. “You’re smart as hell, and you should be proud of that.”
Blake grinned over at me. “You should. You raise the bar for everyone. One of these days, you’ll rub off on Kenan.”
Blake’s comment elicited a surge of protectiveness for Kenan. He was loyal, bright, and creative. Even though he never spoke of it, I sensed he often felt lost in the shuffle of his crowded family. “Kenan doesn’t need me to rub off on him. What would you guys do without him? Whenever you have some weird, complicated situation and need someone to straighten it out, he’s your guy.”
Blake’s brows rose as he nodded. “True.”
They were busy ordering when the door to the café opened again. This time, Adam and Kenan came walking in. Even though they were twins, they were fraternal, so they weren’t identical. Their features were similar, although Kenan had dark hair and blue eyes to Adam’s dark blond hair and slate gray eyes.
The mere sight of Kenan sent a jolt of visceral electricity through me. Heat struck me in a wave, blasting me from head to toe. My pulse shot into the stratosphere, racing so fast my breath felt short instantly.
“Quinn?” Tessa’s voice snapped my attention away from Kenan. I hadn’t even realized I’d been staring in his direction.
“Yeah?” I brought my attention to her as we stepped to the side together.
“I was just saying we should get together for dinner soon.”
“How about tonight?” I asked quickly.
I was desperate not to think about Kenan, and that would give me something to do other than obsess over him.
Tessa nodded. “Sure. I’ll text Haven.”
