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“Good,” I replied softly, my heart fluttering like a hummingbird’s wings. “I feel the same.”
The silence that followed held a newfound tenderness, a delicate thread weaving us together in a moment of shared vulnerability. Our hands remained entwined, fingers laced together as if afraid to let go. Caleb’s stormy blue eyes bore into mine, reflecting the flickering candlelight and something far more profound.
“Zoe,” he murmured, his voice a gentle caress on my name. “I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”
“Needed what?” I asked softly, my heart hammering against my ribcage.
“Someone who truly sees me,” he admitted, a shy smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Not just the CEO or the heir to a fortune, but me. All of me.”
“Likewise,” I replied, feeling the intimacy of the moment wrap around us like a warm embrace. “You’ve shown me there’s more to life than just running Pebble’s Brew.”
“Speaking of which,” he said, raising our entwined hands and gesturing at the coffee mugs with the other, “I think we might be breaking some kind of wine-drinking rule by using these.”
“Rules were made to be broken,” I quipped, sipping the rich red liquid. “Besides, it’s not every day you get to drink fancy wine from a coffee mug, right?”
“True,” he chuckled, joining me in savoring the unconventional pairing. “I must say, it adds charm to the experience.”
We continued sipping our wine; the laughter bubbling between us like a sparkling brook. The world outside the windows of Pebble’s Brew seemed to fade away, leaving only the comforting presence of Caleb and the knowledge that something real and meaningful had begun to take root between us.
Chapter 24
ThelightnessIfeltthe following day made the hours zip by, and everything just worked. No drinks were spilled, and every customer was full of smiles and happiness. Heck, I even got a $100 bill tip from a wealthy tourist who was over the moon with his latte.
I felt creative, so I thought I’d start on a new recipe and was gathering potential beans on the counter. But try as I might, I couldn’t find the right combination.
Caleb had a busy day with his work but promised to stop by after closing so we could spend a little more time together, and just as I was thinking back to last night’s kiss, the door chimed, and there he was.
“Watcha doing, boss lady?” he announced as he flipped the sign to ‘Closed’ behind him and bolted the door.
“Our mission, should you choose to accept it, is to create an all-new signature blend… together?” I said.
“I’m your man!” Caleb replied and rolled up the sleeves of his button-down shirt with swift, precise movements. I admired the lean muscles of his forearms as he reached for various bags of beans. “Let’s start with a nice medium roast as the base,” he suggested.
“Oh my! Someone’s been doing their research. Yep, good idea. That will provide a solid foundation before adding more nuanced flavors.”
We worked in sync, focusing intently as we carefully measured and combined the components for our blend.
Caleb added a spoonful of lighter roast. “This will lend some brightness,” he remarked. His stormy blue eyes locked with mine, and my heart fluttered.
“Perfect.” I bit my lip to hide my smile. “Now for some depth.” I selected a small amount of dark French roast. The rich scent filled the air between us as I leaned in close to add it to the mixture.
We took turns adjusting our creation, each time brewing up a small batch. With each sip, the flavors married and transformed, taking on their own life.
After several attempts, Caleb suggested a touch of cocoa powder. I quirked an eyebrow at him in playful skepticism but agreed to try it. The addition smoothed and rounded out the blend, perfectly encapsulating the essence of our collaboration.
I lifted my mug to his. “To our legacy blend.”
His mouth curved into a crooked grin. “To our future together.”
Our mugs met with a resonant clink. As we shared celebratory sips and mugs, the rich flavors mingling on my tongue, I knew this was just the beginning.
But the hour grew late, the cozy cafe now cast in shadow.
“Hey, messy, you’ve got cocoa powder on your cheek,” Caleb said softly, wiping it away, his finger trailing down my jawline and leaving a shiver in their wake. “I should get going. Early day tomorrow.”
I nodded, suddenly hesitant to escape the bubble we’d created tonight.
As he gathered his things, I busied myself tidying up, hyperaware of his movements. I swept up the coffee grounds we’d spilled in our creative flurry, wiping down the counters until they gleamed once more.
