Page 16 of Cups of You

“Yeah, I suppose.” He looked down and a silence fell over them as neither of them moved.

Amber supposed she should walk away, but her feet didn’t seem to get the memo staying planted on the ground.

“Well—”

“Wait.” Benjamin held up a hand cutting off her words before moving down the counter. Amber frowned as she watched him take out a pastry box. He reached into the display case and grabbed a muffin. He quickly put it in the box before sliding the box across the counter towards Amber. “Here.”

“I didn’t purchase a muffin.”

“Yeah, but…” His voice trailed off as Amber stared. He wasn’t looking at her but at the box as if it had something to say. He finally glanced up at her from underneath his lashes. “Consider it a gift for, um, putting up with Mrs. C.”

She didn’t see why he was trying to make up for that, but Amber wasn’t one to turn down free food, especially when it was delicious. She picked up the pastry box and quirked her lips up in a small smile.

“Well, I probably deserve a trophy for that, but your muffins are great, so this is a pretty fair reward.”

“Are you—”

“Is my drink ready yet, Bennie?”

The moment of calm broke at Mrs. Carmichael’s voice and Amber breathed out slowly. She gave Benjamin a final nod before turning away and making a hasty exit. It wasn’t a graceful retreat, but it would have to do.

SIX

Benjamin watched Amber leave and the sense of loss was enough to have him sighing softly. She had come into the café a few times and he had done his best to be friendly without overdoing it. He hadn’t managed to coax a smile out of her the past few times she came in, but today the little quirk of her lips had his heart racing. It was pathetic how much that little gesture of amusement had raised his spirits. It wasn’t like they were any closer to becoming friends, but something about Amber made him want to lure out more and more smiles until she never frowned when he saw her.

“She’s quite attractive, isn’t she?”

He snapped out of his thoughts when he realized he wasn’t alone. Mrs. Carmichael was looking at him with a knowing smile on her face and her knew he needed to change the subject before it became an actual talking point. He didn’t think he would be able to lie convincingly, so he didn’t try.

“Of course,” he said nonchalantly before moving to finish her drink. He could feel the weight of her eyes on him, but he didn’t look up.

Mrs. Carmichael was still looking at him and he knew she was looking for some chink in his armor.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had someone new come to town,” she said. “Especially someone who is eligible for marriage.”

The way she said it sounded bizarre and Benjamin couldn’t help his frown. Amber wasn’t eligible for marriage and from what little he had gathered about her personality from her visits to the café, she wouldn’t appreciate anything about Mrs. Carmichael’s comment.

“I doubt she would see it that way.”

“What? Being considered eligible for marriage?” Her laugh was grating and made Benjamin want to show his teeth. Getting worked up wasn’t usual for him and he wondered why he cared so much about what the other woman was saying. None of it was any of his business.

“Being part of a conversation that discussed her personal life without her being here.”

Mrs. Carmichael waved him off without even appearing to think about what he said.

“Oh honey, if you have a thing for her, just say so. I think it is high time for you to look at settling down with someone new as it is. I was talking to the ladies at the church the other day about your…situation, and we all agreed. It’s time to move on.”

Benjamin could feel his previously good mood sliding right down the drain and he turned his attention back to her order.

The quicker he finished it, the quicker he could get her away from his counter before she pressed anymore buttons that didn’t need to be touched.

“You’re a good-looking man,” she continued clearly unconcerned that he wasn’t responding. “I’m sure there are plenty of women you could date. All it takes is—”

Not wanting to hear another word, he finished her drink and plated up a slice of coffee cake before sliding them both towards her. Benjamin pasted his signature smile on his face and for once didn’t care if it looked right or not. He was done entertaining this conversation.

“Can I get you anything else ma’am?”

Mrs. Carmichael blinked quickly at his clipped tone but shook her head. She looked down at her plate. “No, this is perfect.”

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