Page 17 of Coffee Break with the Billionaire

“I haven’t known too many of them,” she admits.

“Gunnar is a nice guy.” Mentioning an old boyfriend—what am I doing?

“He’s a prince. And I’m not princess material.”

“I don’t know about that.”

Fenella’s face lights up at that. It’s like there’s a glow emanating from behind her, illuminating her every feature and making her simply breathtaking.

Seriously. Seeing a happy Fenella takes my breath away.

There’s a smile on her face—at least there is until she takes a sip of her drink and winces. “Ew.”

I laugh because me just standing here staring at her like she’s bewitched me is getting old. “I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry about. That just shows that the person who thought the combo was a good idea has no business working here. Pumpkin, caramel and lavender? No, thank you.”

“Let me make you a new one,” I offer. “It’s the least I can do after you got rid of my employee.”

I reach for her cup and my finger brushes against hers.

Is there a spark when I touch her?I can’t tell because the scent of cinnamon and cloves drowns out my other senses. Nathalia must have used half the bottle of syrup and I make a mental note to fill it up before the late-afternoon rush starts.

It is better not to have to cleanup after Nathalia, and maybe I’ll be able to find someone quickly. It’s not like I have anything that gets in the way of doing double shifts. Or anyone. Work, Wyatt, and trying to find time for a regular stargaze sees to that. Neptune will be visible this week and I’d like to get out to the spot near the lighthouse at least once to see it.

“I’m sorry if I crossed a line.”

I glance at Fenella. I get the sense she’s not the type who apologizes.

Ever.

“You were right,” I concede. “I’ve never had to fire anyone. They just leave by mutual agreement.”

“Sounds like this is a good place to work then, you being a nice guy and all.” She smiles and this one isn’t blinding but natural. And kind of sweet. “Did that sound more like a compliment?”

I hand over her new drink. “Guess so.”

And then with a wiggle of her fingers, she’s gone.

Chapter seven

Fenella

Ihaven’t gotten someonefired in a while.

I have gotten people fired before. I’m not proud of it but I like to think they were like Nathalia and not suited for their positions.

I’ve never once considered they might need the job.

And I don’t like that Silas seems to know that.

Demanding Fenella isn’t someone I aspire to be; I’m accustomed to the best money can buy, but when I hear that tone in my voice that suggests I’m telling others that I’m better than them, I do my best to turn it off because that’s my mother talking.

Adelaide Carrington slipped into my father’s orbit with intention because she worked for the company. She started as an intern, moved up to assistant to his office manager. The legend is that they met over coffee—she offered, he refused and made her a cup of tea, the worst she ever tasted. They were married six weeks later.

Less than a year later, my older brother Evan was born, but it was ten years later before Ashton and I were born, me first with him racing out two minutes later.

It’s difficult to imagine my parents so caught up into each other that they could only wait such a short time before starting their lives together. I was about ten before I realized they didn’t seem that happy with each other.

---