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“That could work. It also might be a convenient excuse if anyone does see us together.” The fact the excuse has even crossed my mind is one more reason why this is a bad idea, but like she said, I’m not ready to give this up. Someday I’ll have to, when she realizes sneaking around isn’t the way to live, but until then I might as well be all in, and that means making sure our asses are covered. Particularly when it comes to Cade. He’d never forgive me for this, so he can never know.
“Maybe we should, like, bump into each other at the coffee shop,” Tiff suggests. “I could be working and you could offer to help. That way no one will question why I go to you with questions.”
“Makes sense.” I nod my head absently, catching a glimpse of my watch as I do. “Fuck, I better get out of here while I still can. When do you want me to meet you?”
“Umm, eleven?”
“Yeah.” I slip my shoes on and stand up to button my pants. “Eleven.”
I start toward the window then think better of it, leaning over to place a quick kiss on Tiff’s lips. I’m not sure why except that it seems like something you do with the person you’re secretly fucking behind your cousin’s back. And she tastes good.
“See you.” I slip outside, hoping like hell no one happens to be looking out their own window as I do.
Chapter 20
Tiff
Coffeesteamingonthetable, laptop open in front of me, I’m the epitome of what you’d envision a gig worker to look like.
Except I’m not working.
I’m staring at a blank document with no clue where to start, both because I literally have no clue what I’m doing, and I’m a bundle of nerves.
Deacon should be here any minute, and my whole body is on high alert. Somehow, I have to act normal despite my unrelenting desire, which has been unleashed in full since the cabin. How Cade and Lennon didn’t pick up on anything strange last night is beyond me, because I don’t think I’m that good an actress. I’m going to have to learn quickly though, if I want to keep my feelings for Deacon a secret.
Yet it’s not just Deacon’s imminent arrival that has me anxious. In a few hours I’m due at work, where I’ll have to tell Lennon not to fix me up with Andrew because I want to concentrate on my career. The career that currently doesn’t exist, and if by some miracle it does materialize, it will mean leaving Murphy’s for good. And I’m not sure how she’ll take that.
Lennon’s taken me under her wing since I started working there several years ago, and trusts me enough to put me in charge whenever she isn’t there. I know my presence enables her to take some much needed time off, time she often spends traveling to her boyfriend Axel’s dirt bike competitions, so my departure won’t just impact her business, it’ll impact her personal life, too.
My plans will probably come as a shock because I’ve never indicated I want to do anything else with my life. She has no reason to think I’m even contemplating a change, because I’ve never expressed any dissatisfaction with my job. To be fair, I’m not unhappy at Murphy’s. I just feel like it’s time to explore a career rather than a job, and while it’ll probably be months before I leave—if I leave—I’m not sure that’s enough time for her to find a replacement.
“Tiff.” Deacon’s deep voice draws my eyes from the screen to his ruggedly handsome face.
“Oh, hey.” At least I didn’t have to fake surprise. I was so lost in thought I didn’t even notice him hovering above me with his own steaming coffee.
“What are you doing?”
Though this was a planned question, my absentminded stare must have thrown him for a loop since he seems genuinely curious.
“Uh, I’m sort of brainstorming a business idea I had.”
“Can I ask how it’s going? You seem sort of… overwhelmed.”
I twist the laptop so he can see the screen. “This is what I have so far.”
He arches a thick brow in my direction. “Is it supposed to be blank?”
“No.” I spin the computer back toward me defensively. “I just don’t… I’m not sure how…”
“Notes are a good place to start.” He slides into the booth next to me, forcing me to scoot over to give his large frame enough room. “You don’t even have to use sentences. Bullet points will work just fine.”
“Okay.”
“Okay, so… Make some notes.” He nods at the computer. “What will this business do?”
“Find activities for kids.”
“Good. Type that.”
