Page 11 of When We Dare

“I’ve got a hell of an order,” Griffin replied. “Aside from Hudson, I have a whole text for the orders from the station. It’s either stressful, or a great learning experience,” he quipped.

Casey smiled. “A great learning experience!”

Griffin gestured to Stella, who was in line with us. “Put Stella’s on there too.”

“Oh, you don’t have to get my coffee,” Stella said. Her cheeks were pink, and she was studiouslynotlooking at me.

“I’m getting over ten coffee drinks, so adding yours to the mix is no big deal. Tish would be offended if I didn’t get your coffee for you,” Griffin replied.

Stella laughed softly. “Okay, I’ll return the favor and get Tish something next time.”

“Stella likes it sweet,” Janet chimed in.

“I do. I’ll go with the vanilla caramel latte today, but make it strong. I don’t do that silly skinny stuff though. That’s ridiculous,” Stella said, lifting her chin.

Janet grinned. “We don’t serve the skinny stuff.”

“You really don’t?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“I really don’t,” Janet said firmly. “I refuse to engage in our society’s obsession with weight.” She turned her attention to Casey. “You start with these two, and then what’s your list?” Her gaze arced to Griffin.

Griffin slipped his phone out of his pocket. “Buckle up.” He recited an entire list that Janet jotted down on a scrap of paper.

Casey began prepping our coffees and talking with Stella, who happened to be closest to her. “Are you new to town?” Stella asked.

“Actually, I am. Just moved here. I’m a Southern girl, and I always wanted to come to Alaska. Bucket list.” She made an invisible checkmark in the air. “Here I am. So far, I love it. It’s beautiful and I have a cute little apartment next door. Janet rented it to me and gave me a job.” Casey’s smile was warm when she glanced toward Janet.

“I needed to rent the apartment and I had an opening here. It worked out great,” Janet said.

At that moment, Holly came walking into the café with Nate. Her sharp gaze bounced from me to Stella. In seconds, she was reminding Stella that card night was tonight, whatever that was.

Griffin caught my eye. “Tish loves card night. She goes whenever she can.”

Holly glanced toward Griffin. “Make sure to remind Tish. It’s tonight.”

A few minutes later, Stella and Holly left together. It felt as if there was a magnet in my body. I wanted to follow her so badly, but I knew there was no slick way to handle this. I kept wondering just how much she regretted our kiss. I didn’t regret it, yet I knew it was complicated. I let out a quick breath.

“What’s up?” Griffin asked from my side.

“Oh nothing, just thinking about things I’ve gotta get caught up on.”

Griffin’s gaze sharpened for a beat, but he didn’t press.

That evening, I was walking out of the station, and Nate was waiting beside my truck, his elbow resting on the tailgate.

“Hey, what’s up?” I stopped beside him.

My cousin flashed a smile. “Hey, hey. Thought maybe I could hitch a ride with you.”

“Of course. Not that I mind giving you a ride at all, but where is your truck?”

“In the shop. Routine maintenance. Easier to leave it for the night than worry about working around it. Holly told me I had to find my own way home because she’s with her friends tonight.”

“Oh right, that card night thing. Where are you headed?”

“Let’s go to Wildlands. We can catch dinner,” he replied.

“Works for me. Hop in.”

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