AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Memories of my parents unfold in my mind. They were the most remarkable people and the love they had for each other was something you don’t see often. My father was a mechanic and my mother owned a bookshop.
My father was loud, funny, and loved being the center of attention. My mother was quite the opposite. She was shy, timid, and was always happy to just blend into the background. They were everyone’s favorite couple.
My father cooked for my mother on their first date. The rest was history.
I jerk my head up and grab my phone.
Me: The loser, judged by our employees, has to make dinner for the winner.
Either way, I’m winning because I’ll be having dinner with her.
February: Deal.
Well shit, I didn’t expect her to actually want to do this.
Me: I like steak and potatoes.
February: Shouldn’t be so cocky, Harrison. I’m good at what I do.
Me: Oh, I’m good at what I do too, February, and it’s not limited to lattes.
I smirk, enjoying this back-and-forth.
February: I have no doubt, Prom King.
I laugh out loud, shaking my head. She’s a confusing woman, that's for sure. I try to kiss her and she rejects me, yet she’s into the side bet and this flirty conversation.
“I’ll figure you out, gorgeous.”
Me: Just proves I always win, sweetheart.
February: You just haven’t been up against any worthy competition.
Me: Tomorrow afternoon be at Mug Life and we’ll settle this.
February: See you then.
I pace the tiled floors of my shop, waiting for February to get here. To say I’m highly anticipating seeing her is an understatement. This will be our first interaction without one of us catching the other peeking through the window like a peeping Tom. I feel like a kid waiting for my first date to show up. I’m excited, nervous, and I hate to admit it, but I’m kind of horny.
I scrub my face, letting out a moan. “Get it together, Harrison.”
“You always talk to yourself?”
I spin around and find February standing there with a beautiful smile on her face. My heart beats faster at the sight of her as I take a step closer. “Only when I want the advice of someone smart and talented.”
“But you didn’t even know I was here,” she says with a laugh.
The sweet sound echoes around me and instead of pushing her against the wall and taking a kiss, I nod for her to follow me into the back of the shop.
“How’s your shop?” I ask her, worried about her. I press the on button on the espresso machine.
She shrugs as it hisses to life. “It’s going. The extent of the damage is worse than we thought. Jack got some numbers together, so after this I need to go see if I can afford it all.”
“This shouldn’t be out of your pocket. Have you spoken to Mitch? He doesn’t screw people over. His reputation as a business owner is far too important to him.”
She glances around. She takes in the stainless steel prep tables next to the storage area. “Your shop is bigger than mine.”
“So, are you telling me sizedoesmatter?” I lift an eyebrow and she blushes. Damn, the way the pink runs up her neck and onto her cheeks is sexy as hell. She turns away from me and I grin.
