Page 22 of Too Delicious

I tug a twenty dollar bill out of my money clip and toss it onto the counter.

“Cooper, that’s too much.”

“Sorry, my brother is the numbers guy. I don’t know any better,” I say, winking at Harmony before taking up my usual spot at the booth in the corner, where I can see people come in and out, so I can keep an eye on other customers.

“Geez, this guy,” she says under her breath.

But it’s the tiny, irresistible smile that pulls at Harmony’s lip that gives me hope.

I try not to stare at her while I enjoy my coffee dessert.

After some time, she sidles over to the table and hands me the paper. “If you stay here all day, you’ll need something to read.”

She bounces away, her ruffled skirt swishing back and forth with the swing of her hips.

I don’t tear my gaze away until she disappears into the kitchen.

With nothing else to look at, I flip through the ads section of the paper.

Three-bedroom, two-bathroom house for sale on Ivy Street.

Huh. Interesting.

Maybe the universe doesn’t hate me after all.

chapter

ten

Harmony

Cooper thinks he’s so slick.

There he sits, in the corner booth, eating his free frozen yogurt, looking so pleased with himself.

Maybe that’s not the right word.

It’s just plain confidence that I’ve never possessed.

The man behaves like a bodyguard trying to blend into the background. But if he thinks he blends in, he’s delusional. Cooper would make a terrible bodyguard because he’s more obsessed with the subject he’s guarding than with potential dangers all around.

I wipe down the countertops and all surfaces with disinfectant for the second time since Cooper showed up this morning.

The sneeze guard over the toppings bar is pristine, as I’ve rubbed it three times while Cooper pretends to read the newspaper.

I would wipe down the tabletops again, but I don’t trust myself to get close to him. I’ll get lost in his brown eyes, square jaw, and sexy crow’s feet.

For an ordinary girl that would be fine. For a girl looking for a relationship. Which I am not.

I scan the room for something else to do and pray for someone else to come in and buy some frozen yogurt.

As I stare longingly at the front door, Cooper makes eye contact. The dreamiest, dreamiest eye contact. Dammit.

He says nothing, just smiles in that friendly, laid-back way. Eating his yogurt at the speed of a comatose sloth. I tell you, it’s inhuman to eat a dessert so slowly.

Please, Little Spoon, give me something to do.

He catches my eye, and his smile makes my breath catch in my throat.

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