“Sucks to be the boss,” Lincoln states, and we all nod. Each of us is a boss, except for Molly.
CHAPTER11
–harriet–
I placethe spinach and feta crêpe on the table with a flourish and a smile. “Enjoy.”
“Thank you. It looks divine.” The young woman picks up her knife and fork, ready to dig in, and I spin on my heel to head back to the counter. As I turn around, a certain someone from next door catches my eye. His trademark sexy smirk is in place. I do my best to ignore him, but he’s a customer, and I can’t be outright rude to him and he knows it. This seems to be his current Monday afternoon pastime, and I’m determined to treat him with the utmost professionalism after my slip-up last week. I never should have messed with his food like that. I don’t know what came over me.
That’s a lie. I know exactly what came over me. My need for retribution.
Though, to be fair, since the installation of the security lights, I haven’t had to deal with all the crap from that damn pub next door. I throw the building a dirty look as if I can burn it to the ground with my glare. But honestly, things have settled down on that front, which has been a blessing. I was getting tired and frustrated with the constant mess, not to mention the lack of action from the owner. I turn my glare toward Finn Brady, and my eyes zone in on his trademark smirk that pisses me offandsets me on fire.
Those lips. Soft and supple, yet firm and insistent.
I know exactly how they feel against mine. I bring my fingers to my lips as if the ghost of his kiss still lingers there.What is wrong with me?His kiss is the last thing I should think about. He notices and his lips widen, showing his perfectly straight teeth.Damn him. Ugh!
I turn my back on him and step behind the counter to make a double shot flat white for a customer whose body language screamshurry up, finishing with a genuine smile that turns hard in a split second when my eyes land on my next customer. I need to remember that he likes it when I snap at him.Keep it professional, Harriet.
“Welcome toHarry’s House. What can I get for you today?” I paste on a syrupy smile.
He broadens his grin and raises his eyebrows. “So polite today, Harry. Everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine.”
His head snaps back and his eyes widen. “Now I know something’s wrong. There’s never been a time in the world’s history when a woman says she’sfineand she truly is, in fact, fine. Men everywhere know this to be fact.”
I can’t help it. One side of my mouth tips up before I can stop it. “Everything’s fine.” I hover my fingers over the iPad we use to take orders. “Now, what can I get for you?”
He looks up at the menu board. “Hmm, I’m in the mood for something sweet but a little tart today. What would you recommend?”
I narrow my eyes at him. Is he talking about me or the damn crêpe options? “Hmm, sweetandtart, you say.” He nods emphatically, a glimmer in his gorgeous clear blue eyes. “I can recommend the strawberry apple crêpe. It’s like an apple pie but in crêpe form.”
“Sounds perfect. And I’ll take a coffee. Shor—”
“Short black.” We both speak at the same time.
“You remembered.”
Damn. I shrug like it’s no big deal. “It’s how I take mine. It’s easy to remember.”
I tell him the total and he pays, stepping away to find a table.
Judy sidles up next to me as I’m preparing Finn’s crêpe. “He’s back, I see.”
“Mhm.” I don’t want to give her an inch, because she’ll jump on the Finn and Harry bandwagon when there’s no Finn and Harry bandwagon to jump on. If she knew how many times we’ve kissed, she’d already be ordering wedding stationery.
“He seems to be a frequent customer.”
Without looking up from my task, I answer. “It seems that way. He must like our crêpes.” Well, that’s what I’m telling myself, anyway.
She nudges me with her shoulder, and I glance up from loading the filling on one side of the crêpe. Her smile is cheeky and her eyes are knowing. “If you say so.” She chuckles as she places Finn’s coffee on the tray.
I fold the crêpe over and drizzle apple sauce over the top, finishing with a sprinkle of chopped walnuts. “Can you take this to his table?”
Judy grins at me. “Not on your life. I don’t want to ruin his dining experience.” She winks at me and returns to the coffee machine.
I huff, but collect the tray with Finn’s order and make my way to his table through the busy space. “Your order, Sir.” I carefully place his food and coffee on the table. “Will that be all?”