Page 47 of Glass Jawed
She gives him a slow once-over, unimpressed. “Mm. I’ll think about it. But I’ll need to see your driver’s license first. Just tomake sure you’re not fresh out of high school... or halfway to the grave.”
With that, she turns and strolls back to her laptop like she didn’t just verbally body-slam a grown man.
“Oof,” I murmur under my breath.
“She’s... something,” Lucian whispers, his lips brushing my ear.
“She’s brutal,” Liam mutters, but he’s grinning like he just got handed her phone number.
Soon they both grab their coffee orders—Lucian stealing one lingering kiss, before disappearing through the doors.
The café settles again.
Kash stretches in her chair, packs her laptop with a sigh, and walks over to me. “Alright. I’m done waging war with Java. I’m going to your apartment.”
“You’re not even going topretendto help me close up?” I tease, drying my hands.
“Baby, I’m a guest. Guests don’t mop.”
I squint at her. “You’re lucky I like you.”
She sighs and whips out her phone—tapping the screen. “You’ll love me when I’ve napped and grabbed pre-booze before we head to the rave.”
“It’s a birthday party, not a rave,” I say, grinning.
Her face twists in mock disgust. “Who throws a birthday party at thirty-four? I thought he was a kid.”
“You’re not fooling me, woman,” I smirk. “So... Liam, huh?”
She shrugs trying to look busy on her phone. “Maybe he’s my Toronto fuck.”
I roll my eyes, and wave her off as she exits the café with a lazy wave of her hand.
I check the time—just shy of 3 pm. A slow lull settles in. I wipe down the counter, humming under my breath, heart still warm from Lucian’s earlier kiss.
It’s almost closing time when the door opens again.
I glance up, smile half-formed, and freeze.
He’s standing just inside the entrance. Same tousled hair, same clean-cut jaw. A little leaner than I remember. But it’s him.
His eyes are locked on mine.
Unblinking.
Unmoving.
But I know from his expression that this isn’t a coincidence. That he didn’t just accidentally stroll into a random café.
There’s no shock on his face. And suddenly, I feel cold all over.
What thefuckis Tim doing here?
FOURTEEN
Lucian
Yesterday? No.
