Page 12 of Daily Grind
A thin smile graced those lush lips. “Pretty sure running a coffee shop isn’t anything like a high-tech whatever.”
No, but business was business. He gave a light shrug. “An offer, nothing more.”
“Thanks.” There was honest warmth in that. “I’ve been through this before, though.”
“What, the flirting or the business issues?”
Brian’s laugh and his ruddy cheeks were things of joy. He rocked on the stool, his whole body shaking. “The business issues.”
Not the flirting. “How’d you fix it last time?”
“I hired a non-traditional MBA student named Justin White.”
Right. Sam Anderson’s assistant. Married to the CFO of the company. Todd had mentioned the name a few times. “He created a hole you can’t fill.”
Brian’s smile slipped away. “Something like that.”
There was so much more Rob wanted to ask about the business. His brain itched to solve this problem, find the perfect solution, and make the company work—but Brian was right. This wasn’t like CirroBot or any of the other tech firms he’d help start.
Brian was tensing again, too. Time to change the subject. “So, if you had Easter Sunday free and the option of going kayaking on the rivers downtown or hiking out at Settler’s Cabin, which would you do?”
That was all Rob needed to say to make the stress vanish from Brian. “Your camera waterproof?”
Good god, no. “I don’tneedto take photographs.”
Brian rested his forearms on the counter. “But youwantto.”
They were close. He only needed to lean in to shorten the distance between them to mere inches. He did just that and murmured, “There aremanythings I want.”
Brian parted his lips, shock reddening his skin, but he didn’t move back. “Kayaking’s better with a friend.”
“So’s hiking.” And more private, because the things he wanted to do to Brian’s lips would be very difficult in a kayak.
A quirk at the corner of Brian’s mouth. “But I have to work tomorrow.”
Both disappointment and elation twined through Rob and goosebumps rose on his skin. Brianwantedto go with him. “You work on Easter?”
Brian laughed. “People want their coffee fix. Especially those who gave it up for Lent.”
That made sense, from a business perspective. Still, it stung. “So, you’re saying I should go hiking.”
Brian nodded. “Then come back and show me what you shot.”
Definite interest. “Then that’s what I’ll do.” He opened a bit of space. “Assuming you’ll tell me your schedule.”
“I will.” Brian pushed off the counter and straightened. “That’s one of the bits of paperwork I need to do today.”
“Don’t let me keep you from your work.” Though what he wanted was Brianawayfrom the shop and in his bed. Or Brian’s. Didn’t matter.
“You’re not.” Brian tugged his shirt down, stretching the material over his shoulders and pecs. “Mind me working next to you?”
Never. Not in a million years. He shook his head. Brian vanished into the back of the shop, and reappeared with a laptop and paperwork.
“You never did tell me what you call this drink.” Rob tapped the saucer.
“Doesn’t have a name. I made it just for you.” Brian’s grin and the sound of the shop door’s bell zipped through Rob, making him shiver.
Brian was a fuckingdelight. He might not know how this would end, but he was going to have so much fun finding out.
