Page 29 of Kissing Chaos
“Twin?” I realize how short my responses are, but my brain is short-circuiting.
She continues to smile as if this is completely normal conversation and says, “I know. He’s a giant, and I’m barely five feet tall. He stole the height, but I stole the brains. We share the looks.” She grins again. “Well, come on then. Let’s go get you a good ol’ Havenwood welcome coffee.”
This girl literally drags me through the door, her hand gripping my forearm, and I am at a complete loss at how to react.
Do I turn and bolt?
Do I let her drag me through the bakery where people are most definitely staring?
This is a small town gossip site—Jace said as much last night. I try to take a deep breath and prepare for whatever is to come.
As soon as we are past the throng of people inside the door, I start for the line, but Kelsey drags me further into the shop, all the way to the counter, where she hops behind it and starts fixing coffee like she owns the place.
“Whatcha like? Caramel? Mocha? White chocolate peppermint? We also have pumpkin. It’s delicious with a small squirt of whipped cream on top. Like eating pumpkin pie.”
“Um, I don’t really know. I usually do decaf caramel.”
“One salted caramel decaf latte coming right up.” As she sets to combining syrups and creamer and coffee, she continues to talk. “So, how do you like Havenwood? You getting used to the small town feel yet? I know Covington is stilltechnicallya small town, but when you have that many tourists coming in and out, it can’t have the same feel.”
“Um, no. It’s been good so far. I struggled to sleep last night, but it’s a new place, so… Has anyone ever told you you’re a little more energetic than most in the morning?”
She laughs. “That’s just a polite way of saying ‘Chill the hell out, Kels.’ But I get it. My twin tells me the same thing all the time, just not in so nice of wording.” She finishes putting a lid on my coffee and grabs a straw before handing both to me. “I’d love to spend some time with you once you get more settled. I’m usually here until I close up shop at two, and then most nights I either work at Riley’s or hang out there with my brother. Not many women in their twenties around here. The testosterone pool is definitely overtaking us.”
“Sure, I think I’d like that.”
“Perfection. Here’s my card. It has my cell on it. Feel free to text me whenever you want to get together and we’ll set something up.”
As I take it from her, I say, “I’ll shoot you a message now, because I’m likely to forget as soon as this card goes in my pocket.” As I create a new message with just my name and hit send, I add, “Can I also get one of whatever you suggest to eat?”
“Absolutely, doll.”
“Add it to my bill, Kels,” a voice says behind me.Thatvoice.
I turn around to find Noah sidling up next to the counter and note that the crowd has thinned more than a little as I’ve stood here talking with Kelsey. Kelsey waves a hand at him.
“It’s on the house, sweet cheeks. So is yours. The normal?”
He nods. “Yes ma’am.”
Once Kelsey is busy facing the back counter, Noah slips a twenty into the tip jar and winks, a finger over his smiling lips to signal me not to tell the petite sight behind the counter.
“So, how was your first night here?”
“Rough, but I rarely sleep great in new locations for the first night or two.”
“I get that. I don’t sleep well whenever I travel for work.”
“You travel? For elevators?”
He nods. “Occasionally, I’ll head up to Augusta or right over the state line into South Carolina, depending on what jobs need doing.”
“Huh. Did not figure an elevator guy traveled. I guess I just assumed there was enough work around here.”
“There is, technically. But going out of town generates higher pay, since it is a different region. I don’t do it as much now that I have Sadie, but in my early career days, I took every opportunity.”
“Makes sense.”
Kelsey hands Noah his drink and gives each of us a bag of goodies, a knowing look in her eyes. “You two are cute.”
