Page 11 of Wrong Idea

“I’ll text you everyone’s order.” He grinned and walked out of my office. I got up and glanced at myself in the mirror on the far wall. My hair was disheveled because I couldn’t stop running my fingers through it. Nerves about seeing her again. When that would be and needing it to be soon had amped up my anxiety. I shook my head. Pine and Grind was close to where she lived.What would be the chances she was out and about? I grabbed my phone and keys and got out of there.

When I reached the parking lot, I decided to take a work truck instead of my Lexus. It made more sense with all the drinks I had to bring back. It wasn’t because I wanted to blend in as a regular guy or anything.Liar,a voice in my head whispered.

I had to come clean.

There was no way I could let her believe I was someone I wasn’t. That was the plan at least. Find a way to somehow bump into Max and tell her who I was. She would still be my employee and off limits, but at least I wouldn’t be lying. That would make it easier to rest.Right?

three

max

“Stan,I told you I got it.” I huffed, walking out of my apartment.

“You sure, kid?” he asked. I could tell by the tone in his voice he was nervous. “Mr. Storm really didn’t want anyone in his space, but whatever you did in his room yesterday impressed him.”

“You make it sound dirty.” I laughed, teasing my boss. “I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. Nothing special.” By the looks of it, the older Storm brother was easily impressed. Which didn’t make sense with how everyone talked about him.

“Either way, kid, I owe you. This is big. As much of a pain as he is, he doesn’t ask us to do much for him. Much less send someone to clean his space. The only reason I did last night was because he was finally gone and I wanted to make sure the place didn’t look like a pigsty.”

“It wasn’t the worst I’ve seen.” I shrugged. Over the years, I had pitched in to help in almost every department, but usually housekeeping. I liked Bertie and working side by side with her. She always had some kind of inspiring thing to say about life. The bell over the door of Pine and Grind chimed.

“You getting coffee?” Stan asked, knowing me all too well.

“I’m going to need it. Want me to bring you anything?” I offered, knowing Stan was a huge coffee junkie.

“Na, I’m good.” He shifted, and his voice dropped so no one else would hear him. “Believe it or not, the boss is treating everyone. Want me to get you your order so you can save a couple bucks?”

“No.” I grinned at his shenanigans. It was funny but sweet, the way he looked out for me. “I’m okay, Stan. Plus, I need my caffeine now and not a couple of hours from now.”

“I get it. Okay, then, see you later. Be safe.”

“Always,” I whispered before he ended the call. I slipped my phone into my back pocket and looked around

Pine and Grind was always busy. From locals to the few tourists who came to visit our little mountain town, they had been a hit from day one. When I took a deep breath, it didn’t take a genius to know why. The scent of delicious brewed coffee swirling in the air with sweet pastries I knew were freshly baked every morning filled my lungs and put a content smile on my face. I breathed in again and frowned. That manly scent that reminded me of the man who had been all too great with his hands wafted into my nose. I turned around, and my eyes widened at who was in line, two people behind me.

Quickly, I turned around.Oh my god! It’s him. Car.

I turned again, as subtly as I could, but this time, those blue eyes of his connected with mine and he smiled. Dressed in a navy-blue hoodie and dark gray joggers, he looked hot. Wow. He’d practically seen me naked. I still couldn’t believe it. I smiled at him. Did he recognize me from the massage a couple of days ago? I knew the spa wasn’t as busy as it had been once upon a time, but they did get some appointments.What if he doesn’t even remember me?

“Next!” the barista called out, snapping me out of my delusional state.

Who cared if he knew who I was? I’d been a client. Nothing more. It wasn’t his fault I had never been touched by anyone and now all I could think about was his big hand gliding up and down my body with a firm but tender touch.

I hurried and moved up, ordering my coffee along with a chocolate croissant, then moved towards the counter where you picked up your things. I stared at the ground as if it would somehow tell me what to do next.Should I go and say hi?How embarrassing would that be?

“Hey, Max, right?” his deep voice said, and when I looked up, I couldn’t help but smile. Right in front of me, a mere couple of inches away, there he was. All tall and handsome. The scruff he’d had on his face had filled in almost like he hadn’t shaved, or maybe he was growing a beard. I’d never thought about facial hair being hot or not, but right then and there, looking at him, I couldn’t think of anything sexier.Would it tickle if he kissed me or dragged his lips along my neck?

“Max?”

“Hi!” I yelped, shutting my eyes for a moment to get myself together. When I opened them, I laughed awkwardly. “Yeah, umm, yes, it’s Max. Nice to see you again, Car.” I extended my hand like a nerd. He took it with a seriously sexy smirk on his lips.

“Nice to see you again, too. Come here often?”

“I do.” I nodded. “I live just across the street in one of the studio apartments above the grocery store.” I was spewing all sorts of things right and left.

“Oh yeah? How do you like them?”

“I love mine. I mean, it’s small, and I wished I had a little more space, but I can’t complain. I have a great bay window that looks out to the lake,” I shared, again probably too much, but he didn’t seem to mind.

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