Page 138 of Daily Grind
For the first time in ages, he wasn’t anxious, stressed, or exhausted, despite the physicality of the sex he’d had with Rob, both yesterday and this morning.
That hammered home how much he’d needed a break from Grounds N’at, and how much he’d needed to make things right in his life.
Whatever happened—shop open or closed—he’d survive. Thrive.
Just before eight, he unlocked the door. As normal, one of the first people to walk through the door was Sam, who looked distinctly relieved. “Good morning.” There was a question hidden between those two words.
“Morning, Sam. The usual?”
Sam nodded and fiddled with the cuff of his shirt.
While Brian worked on a cappuccino, Sam asked what had been written on his face. “You doing okay?”
He finished frothing milk and poured the top onto Sam’s drink. “I am now. But I wasn’t yesterday—and I still have some things to work out.”
Sam nodded, a furrow between his brow. “If there’s anything I can do to help…”
Well ifthatwasn’t an opening. “Um, actually…” He handed over Sam’s coffee and took his card. No one else had come in yet, which was both good and bad. “I was wondering how I’d go about hiring you guys for some consulting. I need advice or a new business plan.” He gestured to the shop. “It’s not been going all that great lately.”
The line between his brows deepened. “I—we don’t—”
The bell on the door rang and Sam’s face smoothed over, but the customers that entered were two more familiar faces from upstairs—Eli and Justin.
At least he hadn’t chased awayallof his regulars. A spike of pain, but he quelled that. Hopefully he’d fix the situation.
The first words out of Justin’s mouth were, “Dude, what happened? Are you okay?”
Sam turned sideways and glanced at Justin—then faced Brian, his focus laser sharp. “Oh, I see.” A sly smile. “Yes, maybe we can help. Are you free this afternoon?”
Brian nodded. “Miranda has the evening shift.” He rang up the sale. The confusion that had been on Sam transferred to Justin. Eli stood back in his usual thinking pose—hands on his cane. He met Brian’s gaze and nodded, but didn’t say a word.
“Stop up at three, and let’s talk.” Sam picked up his coffee and took his card back.
“Will do.”
Sam saluted him, and headed for the door. Justin took his place, with Eli a step behind. “Okay, what’s going on?” This was the no-nonsense Justin. Same one who’d pulled him into the back room.
He answered Justin’s first question. “I’m fine. I took your advice and talked to Rob.” He paused. “Two shot caramel latte and an Americano with room for cream?”
Justin swept his fuchsia bangs from his eyes. “And that?” He pointed at the path Sam had taken.
“A cappuccino.” He smiled as sweetly as he could.
In a strange reversal, it was Eli who laughed loud and long. He placed a hand against Justin’s back and slid up next to him. “You deserved that.” He grinned at Brian. “And yes. The usual. And the caramel latte will be fine for him.”
Justin didn’t look pleased. “I like knowing what’s going on.”
“Of course you do. I do as well.” He tugged at some part of Justin’s clothing—maybe a belt loop and pulled Justin closer to him. “We’ll find out soon enough.”
Brian hid his amusement by turning away to start their drinks. “I’m sure Sam will explain.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Eli’s voice.
Justin inhaled in a way that was too familiar from his own breathlessness with Rob.
He didn’t even bother to turn around. “Family establishment, gentlemen.”
Another chuckle from Eli. “I’m not doing anything untoward.”
