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Caleb shrugged modestly. “Just a little charm and diplomacy. Works wonders in business negotiations, too.”
“Clearly,” I agreed, shaking my head in wonder.
“Phew,” I sighed, watching her settle into a seat near the window. “Mrs. Henderson always knows how to keep me on my toes.”
“Hey, at least she didn’t throw the coffee at you,” Caleb quipped, his smile taking the edge off the tension that had filled the room.
“True,” I agreed, laughing softly. “And thanks to you, we’ll be back to normal soon enough.”
“Happy to help,” he replied, a genuine warmth in his eyes that made my heart skip a beat.
Something was brewing amid the chaos and uncertainty—and it wasn’t just our signature coffee blend.
***
“Delivery!” a voice called out, interrupting our moment of understanding. We both turned toward the entrance as the delivery driver bustled in with several bags of coffee beans. “Emergency delivery, for a Mr. Masters?”
“Wow, that was fast!” I exclaimed, my gratitude bubbling forth. “Caleb, you really came through.”
He grinned, a touch of pride flickering across his features. “All in a day’s work.”
We dove into action, unloading the bags and restocking our dwindling supply. As we worked side by side, I couldn’t help noticing the way his strong hands deftly handled the heavy bags, a far cry from the delicate world of boardroom negotiations. I marveled at this new side of Caleb, a man who could charm difficult customers, navigate high-stakes business deals, and save a small-town coffee shop from disaster.
“Thank you so much for your help today, Caleb,” I told him sincerely as we finished stocking the shelves. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“Happy to help,” he replied, his eyes meeting mine with a warmth I hadn’t seen before. Maybe it was the lighting or the adrenaline of the day, but right then, Caleb Masters looked more handsome than ever.
“Who knows?” I mused as I surveyed our bustling coffee shop, the smell of freshly ground beans filling the air. “Maybe some things are worth fighting for.”
“Maybe they are,” Caleb agreed, his gaze holding mine for a beat longer than necessary.
“Triple shot cappuccino with whipped cream for Mr. Kowalski!” I called out, sliding the cup across the counter.
“Ah, you know me too well, Zoe,” Mr. Kowalski chuckled as he picked up his order, giving Caleb a nod. “And who’s this fine gentleman?”
“Mr. Kowalski, meet Caleb Masters, our temporary barista extraordinaire,” I replied, shooting Caleb a playful grin.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Kowalski,” Caleb said, extending a hand that was soon enveloped by the older man’s firm grip.
“Likewise, young man. Keep up the good work!”
As the day passed, Caleb and I fell into a rhythm, working side by side, filling orders and sharing light banter. The atmosphere in Pebble’s Brew lightened, and the customers seemed to enjoy the unusual duo behind the counter.
“Okay, let’s see if you’ve been paying attention,” I teased Caleb during a brief lull in the rush. “What’s Mrs. Thompson’s usual order?”
“Easy,” he boasted, rolling his eyes. “Iced chai latte with soy milk, no ice.”
“Very impressive, Mr. Masters,” I conceded, clapping sarcastically. “Looks like you might have a future in the coffee business, after all.”
“Who knows? Maybe I’ll trade in my tailored suits for an apron,” he mused, flashing a charming smile.
As we continued serving customer after customer, I felt strangely at ease with Caleb by my side.
I glanced over at him, watching as he expertly frothed milk for a latte, and felt a warmth that had nothing to do with the steaming machine.
“Zoe!” Caleb exclaimed suddenly, breaking me out of my reverie. “I just thought of something. Why don’t we introduce a new drink special? We could call it ‘The Masters Mocha’!”
“Really?” I raised an eyebrow, feigning disinterest. “What’s in this so-called ‘Masters Mocha’?”
