smiled back. “Good, Rox. How are you?”
“I’m great. Got that new apartment I was telling you about.”
“Did you? I’m glad to hear that.”
Roxanne hesitated, then finally glanced in Carmen’s direction. “So, what would you like to drink?”
They both ordered coffee, and Roxanne scurried off.
“She has a crush on you,” Carmen said.
Rafe frowned. “What? No, she doesn’t.”
Carmen’s lips curved. “Oh, she does.”
He shook his head. “She’s just a kid. Barely nineteen. She’s been working here for a couple of years, so she knows me.”
“Kid or not, she likes you. I’m surprised you didn’t see the emoji hearts falling from her eyes.”
He laughed. “Knock it off. I have never encouraged her.”
“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, Rafe, but you’re good-looking and friendly. Women probably fall all over themselves around you.”
“No, they don’t. I’m just nice.”
She arched a brow. “Uh-huh.”
Roxanne brought their coffee, set Carmen’s down with barely a look in her direction, and kept her gaze firmly fixed on Rafe.
“Could I get some cream, please?” Carmen asked.
Her attention still fixed on Rafe, Roxanne nodded. “Oh, sure.”
She skirted over to an empty table, grabbed the bowl with the cream containers, then brought it over to their table, smiling at Rafe as she did.
“Thanks,” Carmen said, smirking at Rafe.
“So, Carmen,” Rafe said, turning his attention on her. “You ready to order?”
“Absolutely.”
Roxanne took her pad and pen out of her apron pocket. “What would you like, Rafe?”
“How about we let Carmen order first?” Rafe asked.
“Of course,” Roxanne said, reluctantly dragging her gaze away from Rafe. “What would you like, ma’am?”
Carmen ordered, and then Rafe did as well. It was obvious to Rafe at that point that Roxanne paid way more attention to him. Like, all the attention.
“Well. Damn,” Rafe said after Roxanne left to put their order in. “She is a little infatuated.”
Carmen’s brows rose. “A little?”
Rafe held his hands up. “Like I said, I’ve never encouraged her.”
“I believe you. Not that I can blame her. You’re kind of irresistible.”
“See, I knew I was growing on you.”
“Yeah. Like a fungus.”
He laughed. “I’m wearing you down. Soon you’ll be knocking on my door at all hours, just begging for my attention.”
She took a sip of coffee, smiling over her cup. “You are a dreamer, Rafe.”
“No, I’m a realist. And you and me, Carmen? We’re meant to be.”
“Surely you aren’t telling me you believe in that whole soulmate thing.”
“I don’t know about soulmates, but there’s chemistry between us.”
He waited for her to deny it. Instead, she took another swallow of her coffee and stared out the window of the restaurant.
Yeah, that’s what he thought. No way could she deny the spark between them.
He noticed Roxanne coming toward them with their tray of food. He grabbed Carmen’s hand.
She gave him a curious look.
“Just go with it.”
As soon as Roxanne arrived at their table, he started in. “And then I thought we’d hit the Keys next weekend when I have extra time off. We could reserve the penthouse suite at your favorite hotel—the one right on the water. Dance all night at the club, then take a cruise.”
He gave her an intense look and rubbed his thumb over the top of her hand while Roxanne gaped at him.
Carmen must have noticed, because she immediately smoothed her hand over his forearm in a slow, sensual way.
“Oh, babe, that sounds fantastic. You know how much I love spending time alone with you.”
“Perfect. I can’t wait for us to be alone, too.” Rafe lifted his gaze to Roxanne. “Oh, breakfast. Thanks, Roxanne, I’m starving.”
Roxanne laid their plates down and walked away without a word.
Carmen’s lips lifted. “A little harsh.”
“But necessary. I think she’s grabbed a clue that I’m not available.”
Carmen looked down at their entwined hands and extricated hers. “Right. Good call. Now we can eat.”
Rafe had to admit that it felt good to touch her, to feel her fingernails raking over his forearm. He wanted a lot more of that.
Breakfast was great. Rafe scarfed down his waffles and sausages and eggs, then snatched a piece of Carmen’s bacon and a bite of her pancakes.
Carmen arched a brow.
“What?” he asked.
“You’re done already.”
“Yeah?”
She looked down at her plate, then at his empty one. “Did you even taste your food?”
“Sure, I did.”
She laughed. “Uh-huh.”
He wasn’t sure what she was getting at, but he definitely liked the sound of her laugh. He wanted to hear it again. “What do you mean?”
“You eat fast.”
“Oh. Yeah. When you grow up homeless, you never know where your next meal is going to come from. Or when.