Page 5 of It Started with a Kiss
Oh, man. That accent.
I smiled brightly. ‘Sure you can.’ I turned briefly to prepare the machine. ‘So, any plans for the rest of your week?’ I thought I knew the answer, but it was a great excuse to watch him blush and hear more of that delicious, deep voice.
A strange expression briefly crossed his features, and if I hadn’t been looking closely I would have missed it, but it was rapidly replaced by an almost painful and evidently forced smile.
He clenched his jaw as his nostrils flared and he inhaled deeply. ‘Actually, I do have plans.’ It was cute that he seemed surprised by his own reply, and I immediately wondered what he meant. This was the most he had ever offered, and it was quite thrilling, but my mind went into overdrive.
Oh my God, this has the potential to be an actual conversation. Breathe, Star. Breathe.‘Oh, excellent. Anything exciting?’
He pulled his wallet from his inside pocket, and as he did, my gaze was drawn to his broad chest, but he spoke again and snapped me back from my fantasy.‘I suppose it is.’ He didn’t look convinced. ‘I’m getting married tomorrow.’
Oh. Crappy. Crap.
My heart plummeted in my chest and I lost the ability to speak for a few moments. I was unsure of what to say. I was so bummed at what he’d said. Stupid, considering I had a boyfriend and had never actually had the courage to have a proper conversation with the guy until the day before his damned wedding.
Typical.
Once I’d recovered my off-kilter composure, I turned to him again with the biggest grin I could muster. ‘Oh, that’s great. Congratulations. Here’s your coffee and a chocolate chip cookie on the house.’ I handed the cup over with the cookie I’d wrapped in readiness as a way to hide my flustered state.
He smiled and looked me straight in the eyes, but paused for a moment and frowned with his eyes locked on mine. A shiver travelled down my spine, and I opened my mouth to speak, although I have no clue what I would’ve said even if my mouth had worked.
After what felt like an age—but was probably more like three seconds—he spoke again. ‘Thanks very much. That’s really kind. Have a great weekend.’ The look of confusion was nothing but a memory, and his eyes were once again clear and vibrant.
‘Yeah, and you go have a great wedding!’ I called after him, feeling like a complete douchebag.
He lifted his cup in a salute, turned, and walked out of the shop, leaving me a little shell shocked at both the intensity of his parting gaze and the news he'd imparted. Suddenly feeling a little emotional, I walked over to my iPod where it sat in its dock and flicked the next track along before the introduction had even ended. Listening to ‘Hold Me While You Wait’ by Lewis Capaldi would have broken my heart right then.
* * *
Later that night, Alec and I sat eating popcorn and watching hunky men remove their clothes to music, but all I could think about was the intensity of the locked gaze that Mr McYummy and I had shared. Add to that the strange but bold announcement he’d made and the odd look on his face when he’d made it, and I sincerely wished I’d got some clue as to what was going on in that head of his before he left the coffee shop.
‘...don’t you think, Twinkle?’ Alec’s voice ripped me from my reverie.
I turned my head towards him. ‘Huh?’
‘Where were you? I was just saying that Joe Manganiello has the best abs.’
I nodded. ‘Oh, yeah, totally.’
‘Mmm. I wonder what cologne he wears.’ He sighed dreamily. Turning towards me, he scrunched his brow. ‘Everything okay? You’ve been a bit quiet today. Did something happen at work?’
Yep. The guy I’ve been fantasising about for Lord knows how long is marrying someone else tomorrow.‘Um... no. No. Everything’s fine. I think I’m just tired is all,’ I lied.
He pulled his lips in as if he’d sucked on a lemon. ‘Yeah, whatever you say, darlin’. You’ll tell me when you’re ready, I suppose.’
Alec knew me far too well. I could hide nothing from him. I feigned a yawn. ‘I think I’m gonna crash, Al. I’m really tired. Do you mind?’
He rolled his eyes. ‘I suppose not. I could think of worse things than being abandoned in a room full of half-naked men.’ He winked and I cringed.
I picked up a throw cushion and whacked him on the head with it. ‘Seriously dude, you know it’s only a movie right?’
I walked away as quick as I could, shaking my head and giggling at my best friend.
5
Fin
My father’s voice rang out round the room. ‘I can’t believe you didn’t treat her better, Finlay.’ Don’t get me wrong, I was glad he had recovered from his heart attack but it was clear nothing had changed. There had been no epiphany on his part.
