Forged in Stone - Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,22
you like something about me.”
“There’s lots I like about you.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “Let me clean up and close.”
“Can I help?”
“Thanks for offering, but I’m good.” I grabbed a cloth and started wiping down the tables.
“I can do this.” He walked around behind me. I turned, only to find myself sandwiched between him and the table.
“Thanks. But I can handle it.” I tried to slip out from under his arm, but I was wedged against the table.
“Are you sure?” He breathed on my neck.
I was more than a little uncomfortable. “Can you move? I need to finish everything else.”
“Absolutely.” He stepped back with a satisfied smile on his face.
“What was that about?”
“I affected you.”
“No you didn’t.” The only effect he was having was making me angry.
“Yes I did.” He stepped toward me again.
I glanced at my watch. Two minutes till closing. Sixty two minutes until James picked me up.
Luckily he returned to his table and played with his phone while I finished cleaning up. “Ready?”
“Sure.”
We walked out into the dark night. I longed for summer when it would still be light at closing.
“Are we walking or driving?”
“Walking.”
“You sure? It’s pretty cold.”
“I’m positive. It’s a short walk.” I locked the door and double checked it twice.
“Afraid to get in a car with me?” His expression hardened.
“No.” Yes. I was. Something about Brad made me incredible uncomfortable. It’s not like I was always afraid to get into cars with guys. I’d gotten into James’.
“Whatever you say.”
We walked down the sidewalk. “I hope this place has good coffee.”
“It’s great. The owner is usually there herself.”
“Which can be good or bad.”
“Why would that be bad?”
“Because it could mean bad service. Owning a place doesn’t mean you have a knack for customer service.”
“What do you do?” He sounded elitist, and I wondered what profession he was actually in.
“I work in compliance.”
I didn’t care enough to ask what that even meant. Instead I moved on to the next question. “How old are you?”
“Full of questions suddenly.”
“I don’t know you.” And that bothered me a lot. Way more than it did with James. Everything about Brad put me on edge. If he wasn’t related to Grace I’d have run the other way.
“That’s the point of tonight. It’s to get to know each other.”
“Yeah, I know. That’s why I’m asking questions.” I resisted the urge to wrap my arms around myself. I was cold, but I didn’t want to admit that to Brad. He’d probably try to warm me up or something.
Brad held open the door to Coffee House, and I eagerly ran into the familiar store. I was hit immediately by the aroma of roasting coffee beans. It was one of my absolute favorite smells. I went right up the counter. As I suspected, the owner, Louise, was working.
“Hey, Ainsley. Should I get you your usual?” Louise was in her early forties, but she tended to talk and dress much younger. She represented what I viewed as the new generation of hippies. They were cleaner cut than their predecessors, but they held onto the past with the same nostalgia and maintained a youth the rest of their generation didn’t.
“Yes please.”
“What’s your usual?” Brad came up beside me. For a moment I’d forgotten he was there.
“Black coffee with a chocolate biscotti.”
He nodded. “I’ll have the same.”
“You don’t have to get a biscotti if you don’t want.”
“Worried I’m having too many sweets?” He patted his stomach.
“No, just letting you know.”
“I appreciate the concern.” He turned to Louise. “I’ll be getting hers as well.”
“I can pay for my own.”
“If you won’t let me drive you, I’m at least going to pay for your coffee.”
“What does one thing have to do with the other?”
Loud laughter had me turning around. My eyes locked with James’. My heart sped up. “You’re early.”
“I finished my shopping faster than planned.” He walked over. “What are you getting?”
Brad turned to James. “Excuse me, who the hell are you?”
“I’m James. You must be Brad.” James said his name with distaste.
“Is this the friend who’s driving you home?” Brad continued to glare at James.
I groaned and turned back to the counter. “Ignore them. Please get us three coffees and biscotti.”
“Coming right up. Looks like you’ve been busy.” Louise winked.
“Not by choice.”
“Still good to be out there again. You’re too young to give up after one bad apple.”
“Dale was more than a bad apple.”
“Either way, glad to see you trying again.” She placed the three cups and three pieces of the handmade decadent biscotti down