Page 3 of You Had Me At No
I put my AirPods in and wipe everything down, then straighten the mugs on the shelf. Usually, I can’t do that because I open alone and don’t want anyone sneaking up on me. But the mornings Millie comes in early, I take advantage of it.
Once everything is in order, I make myself a cup of coffee, adding a dash of sugar and some almond milk. I inhale the sweet aroma and walk around the counter, toward the front of the shop, closing my eyes to enjoy my few minutes of peace.
I take two steps and run smack into a wall, spilling hot coffee all down the front of my shirt and legs. “Motherfucker.” My sunburn stings and the liquid is drenched through my shirt. I snap my head up and face a broad chest that is also soiled. I pull my AirPods out and look up at Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome. “I-I’m so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.” I stumble over my words, looking down at his stained sweatpants. They outline a huge, thick bulge that curves to the right. I swallow slowly and run my eyes up his toned tattoo-covered arms, then quickly snap them back up to his face. “Are you okay?” He’s smirking because I’ve clearly been caught checking him out.
He runs his hands down the front of his chest and gives me a once-over before saying, “I’m fine. Not every day a beautiful woman spills coffee on me.”
My mouth drops. I quickly close it and stare at him. Did he just compliment me for spilling coffee on him? I take a step back.
“I’ll be right back. Let me grab something to clean you up with.” I quickly turn around, not giving him a chance to respond. I pass Millie on the way.
“What happened?” she asks.
“I accidentally spilled coffee on a customer. Can you please get the mop bucket and make sure we don’t get backed up?”
She nods as I run in the back and grab a dry hand towel and an extra-largeUgly MugT-shirt. I hope it’s big enough for him.
I make my way back up front as Millie is mopping the floor. The guy is now sitting on a chair by the window. He stands as I approach him.
“I grabbed you an Ugly Mug shirt. It’s on the house, of course. I am so sorry for not paying attention and soaking you.” I hand him the shirt and he smiles. “Here, let me at least dry you off some.” I start dabbing his chest frantically. My mind is in a million different directions. I’m so clumsy, I swear.
Before I realize what’s going on, he breaks me out of my thoughts. “Uh, don’t you think we should at least exchange names before you start fondling my junk?” He laughs.
I look where my hand is rubbing the towel and, sure enough, I’m touching his cock. “Oh my God!” I screech. “I’m so, so, so sorry.” I jump up. My face is flaming. I didn’t even realize I moved my hand lower.
“It’s okay. Now it will be easier for me to ask you for your number.” He smirks. Is he really asking me for my number? Like I didn’t just spill hot coffee on him and fondle his dick like some floozy.
I laugh awkwardly and point to the hall. “You can go change and finish cleaning up in the bathroom.”
He smiles at me and heads to the bathroom.
I bolt to the back office to change my shirt and pants. It’s a good thing I keep extra clothes here and of course, we always haveUgly Mugshirts lying around.
I check my makeup quickly and straighten my hair before I make my way back to the front. Tall, dark, and handsome is standing at the counter.
Millie turns around and says, “Oh, there she is!” She walks past me and whispers, “He was waiting on you to order.”
I look up and lock eyes with him.
He smirks. “So, about that number.”
I laugh. “I thought you were joking about that.”
“Nope. I was as serious as the third-degree burn, I’m gonna have from you spilling that hot coffee all over me.”
My eyes bug out of my head. “I’m so sorry! It was an honest mistake—”
He cuts me off, “Breathe, princess. I’m just messing with you, but I really would like to take you out.”
My face heats and my heart starts to speed up.Princess?“Ha. I’ll have to pass. How about coffee on the house for two weeks?”
He stares at me, tapping his fingers on the counter. “We’ll see about that.” He pauses, then smirks. “By the way, I’m Liam.” He holds out his hand to me.
I stare down at it, then slowly place my hand in his and shake it. “Quinn.”
His smile widens. “It’s nice to meet you, Quinn. How about that coffee?”
Liam
