Page 31 of Driven Daddy

Better to just drown myself in water or…unnecessary coffee.

Brewed Awakening was still open. Their window was the most impressive other than the horror-themed restaurant next door. Pumpkins in every size were stacked wearing crazy smiles in both paint and carving. Lights flickered from within dozens of them as well as from dripping candles in gothic candelabras.

As I got closer, I noted that the dripping candles were actually battery-operated, but they were seriously impressive.

I found a parking spot on the street in front of the gazebo. Both the gazebo and the pier were lit up with purple and orange lights. The gazebo had been outfitted in skeletons doing everyday things like taking a photo or playing a guitar.

Charmed, I pulled out my phone and took a few pictures.

Now that I had to think about things like TikTok and the other social medias, I needed to show what my life was like now. That and perhaps it would help Colette for her signing.

Sighing at my shit signal, I tucked my phone away and made a mental note to post them later.

Main Street was lit up, even if there were barely any people around. A few lingered in the park beside the gazebo, but by the sound of the laughter, they were probably bored teens.

Not much life for older kids around here. With my past, I knew all too well how easy it was to get into trouble when I ran out of things to do.

I crossed to Brewed Awakening, and as I opened the door, I was slammed in the face by the most delicious scents I’d ever encountered. From the state of the café, it seemed as if they were getting ready to close down for the evening.

I imagined they opened up quite early, as well.

There was a massive chalkboard on a table just inside the door, stating the specials for the evening. Still full from my dinner, I skipped right to the goodies.

I had a weakness for chocolate.

I scanned the list and zeroed in on the dark chocolate raspberry cake with a dark chocolate cocoa drink.

The sweet young woman behind the counter gave me a puzzled look, but she took my order quickly.

“We’re closing in thirty, so take your time.” She pushed the cake across to me. “I’ll bring out your cocoa in just a minute. I need to steam the milk.”

“Great, thanks.”

I took my cake over to a long table stacked with books. It looked as if someone was trying to put them in order, but I couldn’t resist the chaos.

I sat down and pulled a pile in front of me and only then noticed the other person at the end of the table.

My fork clattered to the table as my hand jerked. “You.”

My dark-haired mystery man from earlier grinned behind a bowl-sized cup. “We meet again.” He took a long swallow and closed his eyes for a moment. “Good stuff.”

The waitress from earlier came by with a harried smile. “Sorry it took so long.”

I smiled up at her. “You’re fine. Thanks.”

She glanced from me to mystery man with her lips pressed tight before bustling away.

I glanced over at him.

“Try it. Bet you’ll have the same reaction.”

I glanced down at the piping hot mug of chocolate glory. It was so rich and dark—much like mystery man’s eyes. I cupped my fingers around the similarly sized cup.

Even that made me want to hum, but I was far too aware of the man at the end of the table.

Since he made no move to get closer, I took the chance to take a sensitive sip. The chocolate was as good as any I’d had in Paris, for God’s sake.

In this little town that had a population of maybe three-thousand. How?

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