Page 14 of Coffee Break with the Billionaire

And then Silas appears. “Uh—hi,” he greets me. Today’s flannel is black and blue, the sleeves rolled up to show strong forearms with a faint dusting of reddish hair.

I pull my gaze away from those arms. “Your employee just made me a drink I didn’t order.”

There’s no masking the expression of resignation and he doesn’t even ask who I’m talking about. “What did she make?”

“I have no idea but there’s lavender and caramel in this.” I give a sniff and grimace. “I would never want lavender in a latte. I ordered a pumpkin spice latte with vanilla.”

“I’ll make you another. I’m sorry about Nathalia. She—”

“Shouldn’t be working here if she can’t take a simple order.”

There’s no one waiting in line after me, and the bustle of the shop seems to have relaxed. Or maybe it’s just Silas who is relaxed.

Distressed, but still relaxed. He sighs. “It’s not that simple. I really needed to cover shifts and I felt bad—she’s my parents’ neighbours’ daughter, and just got divorced—”

“That’s aherproblem, not ayouproblem.”

Silas frowns. “I’m helping her out and—”

“Does she need the money?”

He glances over his shoulder to where the short girl is gesturing to the jug of steamed milk that has been left on the counter. “I don’t think so.”

“Then there’s no reason for her to work here if she’s incompetent.” A voice rises—something about beans—and I look at Silas expectantly.

“I know.” He lowers his voice. “I haven’t been able to bring myself to tell her.” He shrugs with a sheepish smile.

Huh. I didn’t expect this. He’s…huh.

Maybe I should revisit nice guys. Especially ones from Laandia.

“Of course I’m right.” I cock my head.“Are you…” I drop my voice. “Aniceguy?”

“What?”

“You can’t fire her because you’re too nice.”

“That’s not… maybe? Is that bad?” He gives me a smile that is half confused, half apologetic, and all the way adorable.

Oh no. My stomach flips at the sight of his smile. Slightly crooked, teeth not perfect but wow, that dimple is deep enough for me to stick my finger in it. The whole package is makingmesmile.

“It’s rare. I only know a few of the species.” I give him my camera-ready smile and his eyes glaze over for a moment. “Because of that, I’m going to help you out.”

Chapter six

Silas

Idon’t understand what’sgoing on, probably because I seem to be blinded by Fenella.

Snow-blinded, maybe. She’s wearing all white today— pants tight at the hips with twin rows of buttons running diagonally to her waist and a loose sweater cropped at her belly button. Her coat might be denim and falls just below her knees.

How much luggage did she bring?

I watched her through the tiny window in the back storage room when she was ordering and I could tell Nathalia was making her the wrong drink but couldn’t bring myself to intervene.

Nathalia has only been working here for a little over a week, but I’m already exhausted from telling her what she’s doing wrong.

Earlier today, she dropped a bag of our most expensive beans and all she could say was a gigglyoopsas they skittered all over the floor.

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