AllFreeNovel
Share Us
What was the harm?
We’d been talking for a few days, still with no date in sight. I fought against my frustration, especially because, instead of ghosting me, he was considerate enough to tell me he needed to be away for a few days, dealing with his job. Which I’d yet to find out what it was.
I was at Beans, trying new recipes as April managed the customers. She was a local godsend. She’d handle the selling as I focused on my baking, and she was amazing at it. Her vivid personality made us fall in love with her. Even the grumpiest of patrons couldn’t resist her welcoming smile.
I was lost in my process when she poked her head into the kitchen. “There’s a customer here wanting to talk to you. He says he has a private request.”
“I’ll be right outside.”
I left the dough resting and washed my hands. I tried to fix my hair and check for any flour spots on my clothes until I looked presentable. As presentable as I could after standing for almost ten hours.
I joined April behind the counter, looking for the man who was looking for me. I was met withhishazel eyes and crooked smile.
“What are you doing here?” Despite my words, my voice carried a wonder I couldn’t hide. “I thought you were away at work.”
“I was. I just got back and decided to come here. Forgive me for my rumpled clothes,” he said sheepishly, opening his arms at his side to show me.
They were indeed creased, and looking at him more intently, I noticed he looked exhausted. “Is everything okay?”
He nodded, his cocky smile still showing, but his eyes softened at my question. “I’m just a little tired. Thank you for asking.”
“Speaking of asking. I was told someone had a private request for me. Any idea what that means?”
Benjamin leaned on the counter, his eyes glinting despite his serious face. “That would be me. I have a very serious request that I couldn’t make over a text. It’s too important a plea to be made so informally.”
I leaned over as well, putting our faces closer together. “That sounds serious.”
“You have no idea. You see, I’m planning on going out tomorrow night for dinner. But I can’t do that alone. You know how small-towners are ruthless. I’m in desperate need of someone to go with me to save face. Then I remembered you owe me one.”
I rested my face on my right hand. “How do you figure that?”
“Well, you did leave me hanging for days without telling me your name. I didn’t even learn it from you. Then the whole coffee on my shirt debacle.”
I clicked my tongue. “I remember giving you another cup after that.”
“Yeah, that wasn’t enough. I’m sorry, it’s not up to me.” He raised one shoulder, keeping his forearms placed on the counter, almost touching mine. “The thing is, you owe me, and I need a date for my dinner tomorrow night; otherwise, I’d be the laughingstock of Holy Water.”
“We can’t let that happen.” I sighed in mock distress. “I guess I could lend you a hand and go out with you tomorrow. Just to save face.”
“It’s the right thing to do,” he said solemnly. “So now you just need to give me your address, so I can pick you up.” His devilish, flirting gaze was back.
“You already have it.” He looked at me in confusion, and I pointed my index finger up. “I live upstairs. It was cheaper and easier this way.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll pick you up at seven—” Before he could finish, someone opened the door to the shop, swinging the wind chimes and making me remember we weren’t alone. But what froze me was who was coming in.
Mia was startled when she looked at us—and how close we were. Feeling misplaced guilt, I stepped back, breaking my connection with Benjamin. He looked at her and shifted his weight on his legs, mirroring her awkwardness.
“I decided I wanted something different,” she explained, almost apologetically.
“Damn it. Sorry. I forgot—” She waved her hand, dismissing his...worry?
“Don’t worry.” So I was right. “I’m feeling fine, I just changed my mind about my order.” She pointed at April. “I’ll just ask her.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Take your time. I’ll get everything.”
The three of us stood awkwardly until she waved timidly at me and stepped away to the other end of the counter, giving me and Benjamin some privacy. That seemed mindful of her, but the discomfort was already settled.
