AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I decided to order something new and daring this time, my eyes lighting up when the barista places a cinnamon macadamia nut latte and pineapple coconut muffin in front of me.
“Good choice,” she says with a wink before walking back behind the counter.
Pulling out my notepad, I begin to make my grocery list for the week as I pick at my muffin and sip my coffee—both extremely good. Lost in my thoughts of what to make for dinner this week that kids will actually eat, I hear him, and everything stops.
I look up and, sure enough, the man from last week is at the counter ordering. He looks back at me when the barista asks for here or to go. “Here,” he replies with a slight tilt to his lips before turning back to her to pay.
Dipping my head, I try to hide my smile, going back to my menial task. Popping the last bite of muffin in my mouth, I reach for a napkin and wipe my fingers. I watch as this man sits at the same table as before, right next to me. Facing me. Watching me.
I try to mind my own business and not stare back. His drink is delivered, and I can’t help but peek up to see if he’s going to burn himself again. Lifting the steaming mug to his lips, he purses them slightly to blow on the hot liquid. He takes a sip, and I find myself swallowing with him as I watch his own throat bob with the same motion, the muscles of his neck contracting as he swallows.
My teeth sink into my bottom lip, raking across the soft flesh as I lean in to watch him a little closer. It’s not until I hear someone else enter the shop that it breaks the trance I’m in. Blinking, I clear my throat and gulp down the remaining coffee in my cup. Quickly, I gather my things to leave before I make an even bigger fool of myself.
This is crazy. What am I doing? Why am I so transfixed with him? I’ve hardly spoken to him, unable to stop myself from looking, staring, wanting.
“Can I buy you a refill?” I hear him ask as I stand to leave.
Slowly, I turn to look at him but only halfway. “I should probably go. I have a lot to get done.”
One side of his mouth lifts as he tries to hold in his smile that’s threatening to break. “It’s only coffee.” He shrugs. “It’ll only take a little bit out of your day to join me. Please?”
I watch him for a beat. He’s relaxed and seems like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Lifting his cup to his lips again, he looks at me over the rim. How does he make this seem so easy and natural? Adult interaction. I did say I was lacking it.
Licking my lips, I bite them together, thinking about it. “Okay.”
“Okay?” he repeats, his eyes widening in shock that I said yes.
I nod. “I’d like another cinnamon macadamia latte please,” I tell him as I pull out the chair in front of him instead of at my table and sit down.
Without another word, he stands and orders my drink as I sit there questioning everything at this moment. What the hell is this? What am I doing? What is he doing?
I give my head a little shake and let out a breath.
“It’s only coffee,” he says again, sitting down in front of me. “I’m James, by the way.” He smiles brightly, holding out a hand for me to shake.
My brows pull together slightly as I take his hand. “Ray,” I tell him my middle name.
His smile widens. “Ray. I like that.”
“Thank you.” I don’t know what to say now that I’m sitting here in front of him.
“Tell me about yourself.”
“I, uh, I have three kids who are my life,” I start and smile down at my hands, playing with my wedding ring. “I’m married to a wonderful man. He, unfortunately, works a lot though, so life can get a little crazy sometimes,” I chuckle.
“Sounds like you have a wonderful family.” He smiles kindly. “But I asked about you.”
My eyes snap up to meet his, and it feels like they’re boring into me. “I don’t know who I am anymore,” I whisper before I think about what I’m saying. Looking back down, I shake my head. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”
“Because it’s true,” he says, sympathy laced in his words.
I look up to meet his eyes again, mine filling with tears as I nod. “Yeah, I guess so,” I chuckle nervously. “Obviously, I’m a mess.”
“You’re a beautiful mess,” he says softly. My cheeks flame red in embarrassment from his kind, complimenting words.
“What about you?” I change the subject.
“I’m called a lot of things. I wear a lot of different hats.”
