Page 26 of No Place Like Home
Owen
Yes.
Cade
Without falling?
Owen
…
She laughed. “I’d like to meet this Owen. Funny.”
“They’re good guys. Except when they dog me like this, of course.” Cade’s gaze drifted over Rosalyn’s shoulder to the bar. “Uh-oh.”
She turned. The dark-haired barista, wearing over-the-head earphones and a hoop nose ring, shimmied her hips and shoulders as she worked the milk frother.
“I’m assuming the weather report is…undesirable?” Rosalyn winced. She needed the pick-me-up if she was going to train today at Madame Paulette’s. “Bad mood equals good coffee, right?”
“Correct.” Cade lowered his voice. “Though lately, Miley seems to be in better moods more often than usual.”
Rosalyn leaned in close to whisper back. Kinda fun, being one of the locals again. “Maybe she got a boyfriend.”
Cade’s gaze held hers, a teasing spark lighting his eyes. “Is that all it takes to make a gal happy?”
That depended. Rosalyn’s throat went dry.
“Next!” The barista chirped.
Saved, she quickly ordered an iced matcha latte—decided to risk it anyway—while Cade ordered only a scone and gallantly paid for both their orders. They stepped to the side as Miley whipped up Rosalyn’s drink.
Cade leaned one hip against the counter. “Big plans today?”
A boring question after their flirting, but definitely safer. She remembered the text messages and shook her head. “I was going to warm up on my silks, but now I think I’m going to come help you.”
“Help me?” He frowned. “Why?”
“With the fundraiser.”
Cade stiffened. “That’s nice of you to offer, but like I told the guys, I can handle it.”
“Oh, come on.” Rosalyn leveled him with a stare, probably the same one she’d given him freshman year when he claimed he could be the first to solve the bonus points algebra problem. “There’s got to besomethingyou can take off your plate and dump on mine. I’ve got room.”
She could see the battle in his eyes, but then he hesitated. “Maybe you could make some of my confirmation calls. Like for the porta-potties and poodles.”
“Pretty sure that sentence has never been uttered in the history of language, but sure. I can make calls.” She grinned at him. “See? That wasn’t so hard.”
“Here you go!” Miley reached over the counter and handed Cade a pastry bag with a curtsy, which seem to confirm his decision to pass on coffee.
She handed Rosalyn her latte next, then danced back toward the cash register. Rosalyn tried to hide her smile. Maybe she had found love.
Must be nice.
“Here goes nothing.” Rosalyn took a cautious sip as they moved toward the napkin station. She licked her lower lip to catch the foam. “Not bad.”
“You missed a spot.” Before she could process what he meant, Cade reached over and gently wiped her cheek with a napkin.
Her skin tingled under his touch. The grinding of espresso beans and the chatter of fellow patrons faded to the background as she stilled.
