Page 61 of My Best Years

I doubt I’ll even get a second of sleep tonight.

The judge probably thinks I’m a cocky motherfucker because I can’t control the ear-to-ear grin stretching across. It stays there for the remainder of the day.

In less than twenty-four hours, I’m going to see her again.

Never in a million years would I have thought that Birdie would be in my life again. But now that she’s here, I’m going to do everything in my power to keep her.

TWENTY

Birdie

“Two cappuccinos and a basket of fresh croissants,” our server mumbles to herself as she writes down our order. “That’ll be right out.”

“Thank you,” Callum and I both say at the same time before she spins around and disappears into the kitchen.

When I suggested we meet for coffee at Sandy Spoon Café, I had no idea how small and intimate this place would be. If I had to guess, it’s no bigger than my one-bedroom apartment, which isn't saying much at all. White shiplap covers the walls, pairing perfectly with the glossy hardwood floors.

Industrial lights hang above the coffee bar, which I’ve deduced must be for decoration purposes only, considering that they’re not turned on. It appears, much to my pleasure, that the owners opted for the rays of sunshine pouring through the large windows to act as the only light in the space.

I get why this place is so popular. It’s the blueprint for a modern-day, coastal coffeeshop.

Once again, Callum arrived ahead of time this morning and snagged us a table. I didn’t ask him how early he got here because I’m sure it was at least an hour before. He must have known how busy this place gets because there’s currently a line of customers leading out of the door.

When I walked into the café ten minutes before nine, he was already seated at a round table, just big enough for two. Just like he promised, he was waiting for me in his jeans and T-shirt.

It was nearly impossible to keep a neutral expression as my heart fluttered and my skin tingled with awareness. He never fails to take my breath away. He could equally bring me to my knees in an Armani suit or dressed in a stained T-shirt with tattered jeans.

His onyx hair and the stubble on his cheeks have grown longer since I saw him last.

I shake my head, pushing away the thought because I may or may not have dreamed of how that scruff would feel scratching the skin between my legs.

What’s a girl supposed to do? I can’t control the filthy fantasies that my brain thinks up in my sleep. And I definitely can’t control the blush burning my cheeks as I sit across from Callum.

He furrows his brows, noticing my discomfort as he slides his glasses down his nose and discards them onto the table.

Holy hell. Those damn glasses.

They have no right to look so fucking sexy on him.

The frames are midnight black, matching the color of his thick curls. And when he has them on, they accentuate his blue eyes, making them look like sapphire marbles. He already has the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen on a man, which is why I can’t handle these new glasses on top of that. It’s bending my self-control.

“You okay?” he asks.

I clear my throat, trying to pull myself back to reality.

“Yeah,” I recover. “It’s just weird seeing you with glasses. When did you start wearing them?”

“Oh,” he chuckles. “You were staring at me like you had seen a ghost or something. I got worried there for a second.”

Little does he know that I’m the one who should be worrying. I’m over here in my own little world, swooning over how goddamn hot he looks this morning. I turn into a puddle when it comes to this man.

“My vision started getting blurry a few years ago,” he continues. “So I went to the eye doctor and found out that I’m farsighted. I really only need my glasses when I’m working or trying to read something close up.”

He points down to the laminated menu on the table. I have to admit, the print is almost too small for me to read, and I have perfect vision.

“Right,” I nod. “I’m surprised you even had to look at the menu. It sounds like you’ve been here more than once.”

“I have. I come here at least once a week, but usually just to get coffee.” He pauses to think. “Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever ordered food here. The coffee is great, though. Probably the best in town.”

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