Page 54 of Love Like Lightning

Just as the words leave my mouth, I hear the door open. Glancing to my left, Gia's striding in from the cold, already unwrapping her purple scarf from her neck.

“Hi, Henry.” She greets me with a wide smile.

My heart stirs in my chest, and my own smile grows on my face.

“Hey, I was just getting some coffee and snacks. Do you want anything?”

She looks from the plate in my hand to the display case. “That muffin looks amazing. Hi, Leah, could I grab one of those?” She reaches for her wallet, but I stop her.

“Here, take this one. I’ll grab another one and meet you at a table.”

Thanking me quietly, she takes the muffin and goes to find a free table for us to work at.

Leah’s got the muffin plated and waiting for me by the time I manage to tear my eyes from watching Gia walk away.

She slides the plate across the counter with an arched brow and a smirk. “You two would make for a pretty picture.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Isn’t it?” She leaves me with that cryptic comment and turns to wipe down the counter behind her.

Ignoring her, I take my coffee and muffin toward the back where Gia found an open table. Shrugging off my backpack, I slide into the booth next to her and place everything down before grabbing my laptop.

“You just missed my mom. She’s the one who baked these muffins.”

Gia freezes mid bite, eyes going wide. After she swallows hard, she looks at me. “Oh? She did?”

Sensing that maybe that wasn’t the right thing to say, I backpedal. “I didn’t mean that I wanted you to meet her or anything. It was just a coincidence that she was here.”

Only that’s a lie because I’d love it if Gia met my mom. She can be a pain, but I love her, and she’d get along with Gia great. That would make me happier than I have any right to be.

Honestly, Gia would fit in just fine with my family. Friends spend time with their friends' families. That could be a thing. Maybe.

“That’s not—the muffin’s as good as it looks. You should make sure to tell her.”

“I will. Thanks again for meeting with me.” My eyes catch on her lips. They’re curved up into a smile, and there’s a crumb just below her bottom lip.

I reach out lightly with my thumb to brush it away. I let my hand linger, wanting to push my fingers through her hair but not allowing myself to.

Her cheeks turn pink, and her eyes widen. For a moment, there’s something like panic in her eyes, and that’s when I pull my hand back.

“Sorry. Let me pull up my financials.”

She takes my laptop from me and spends the next twenty minutes or so combing through everything while I try to enjoy my coffee and muffin.

Of course, she was right. The muffin is as good as it always is.

“Hey, I was going to ask the front desk, but do you have a laundromat or something in Ever Lake? I’ve somehow made it through every single item that I packed for this trip and desperately need to get some laundry done.” She doesn’t take her eyes off the screen, continuing to scroll as she asks.

“There’s one a couple of towns over, but you can just come use my washer and dryer, if you want. Anytime.”

“Really?” Pulling her eyes from the computer, she looks at me with furrowed eyebrows.

“Yeah, of course. That’s what a friend would do. Right?”

“Yeah…I guess you’re right. That would be really great.”

“Just come by whenever. I’m usually out most afternoons, but feel free to come in the evening too. Whatever works for you. I’ve got a spare key hidden in a little fake rock at the foot of the steps, so if I’m not home, you can still get in.”

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