Page 8 of The Rescue

I want to know why he’s so busy that he can’t come to The Drunken Duck. Does he have a secret girlfriend that Dylan doesn’t know about?Wait a second, who am I?I never think like this over a guy. I don’t care about that type of shit.

He finishes his coffee and stands, he brushes the crumbs off his pants. I try not to stare directly at his crotch as he does this but it’s at perfect eye level.

“I need to get back to work and close the cafe. You can finish whenever you want, you don’t have to ask me.”

“Thanks.” I smile up at him from under my lashes.

Still, nothing. My confidence is deflating like a balloon, and I’m starting to wonder if he even finds me attractive. I watch him as he disappears into his kitchen, and I decide to call it a day. I’m beyond tired and I’d like to get an early night. I’m hoping Dylan and Cam have got it out of their systems and I don’t have to listen to them fool around.

I gather my things and stand, I scan the cafe for Rabbie to say goodbye. He’s at the counter talking to a woman, she’s got his undivided attention and I feel a tinge of jealous prick away at me. I give him a quick wave as I make my way to the door. He lifts his hand and smiles back. My first day didn’t go terribly but not how I expected. Maybe Rabbie isn’t attracted to me, but I refuse to give up just yet.

4

Rabbie

Yesterday at the cafe was a blur,with Nellie off sick and David out running deliveries I hardly got time to sit down with Crystal. I felt terrible that she’d sat there for half the morning without having a coffee. I didn’t even see her come into the cafe until later that morning. I guess being busy was a good distraction because she clearly is distracting with her beautiful copper hair and cowboy boots. I’m not used to being the boss, and never have to keep things overly professional with Nellie and David because they’re like my wee brother and sister. But I know I have to keep things professional with Crystal, otherwise I’m screwed.

I finish pulling out the final batch of scones out of the oven, the cafe isn’t open yet. It’s still very early. I wake every morning before sunrise to start making the scones. I bake most of the other baked goods the day before, but I always make my scones fresh that morning. I’m in the back cleaning up when I hear aknock on the door. Nellie and David both have a key to the cafe, but sometimes they are known to forget it, and I have to let them in. I look down at my watch, it’s a little too early for them to be here, but they sometimes come in early if we have a huge day of deliveries.

I round the corner to let them in when I’m surprised to see Crystal standing at the door, her dark auburn hair whipping around her face from the morning wind. I rush to let her out of the cold, dreary weather.

She brushes past me, her sweet vanilla scent fills my nose.“Thanks, good morning.”

“Er, good morning,” I suddenly lose all ability to speak.

She wanders over to the table in the corner and places her large bag on the chair opposite her.

“It’s freezing out there,” she sits down in the chair and pulls out her laptop.

A small laugh escapes my mouth, and she shoots me a glare.

“Did I say something funny?”

“Aye, it’s freezing. I’m glad you’re wearing a jumper at least, but it doesn’t make any sense if you wear shorts with it.”

“Yeah, but I’m wearing boots.” She looks down at her cowboy boots, and then at me as if I’m the crazy one.

She’s wearing a thick, white knitted jumper that is way too big for her, you wouldn’t think she wasn’t wearing any shorts, it’s that big. And, of course, her signature black cowboy boots that make her legs look incredible. I count to ten in my head and take a deep breath to compose myself.Get it together Rabbie, she’s technically your employee.

She starts working on her laptop while I put some of the baked goods in the window, and I catch glimpses of her yawning and blinking at her screen.

“Can I make you tea or coffee?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” she looks up from her screen, and a small smile forms on her full lips.

“Sorry, that’s not very hospitable of me. Black, extra strong?”

She looks at me with a blank face, and I worry I’ve got it wrong.

“You remembered my coffee order?” A small smile forms on her perfect lips.

I run a hand through my hair nervously. “Aye, it was only yesterday I made you one.”

“You make so many coffees in a day, I just didn’t think you’d remember,” she shrugs.

“I’ve got a good memory. Besides I couldn’t forget your order, you wanted a bathtub of coffee.”

A small smirk forms on her perfect lips, and we both start laughing. Followed by awkward silence as we lock eyes. She smiles up at me, and I feel my heart start to thump in my chest, I fear she can hear it.

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