Page 13 of The Backup Groom
“You remembered,” she said, pressing a hand to her chest, as if we hadn’t had the same conversation every Friday for the last year.
Dean, my best friend and business partner, leaned closer after Beverly waved and walked out the door. “She has to be the most persistent woman I’ve ever met. She knows what she wants.”
“It won’t be me.” I poured almond milk into the frothing pitcher. “She’s not my type.”
Dean shook his head. “Nobody is your type.”
“Not true.” I tilted my head toward the front door as Amber walked in with her best friend, Stella.
Amber looked lovely, as usual. I had absolutely no concept of fashion, but she appeared very summery. Her light blue dress hung just past her knees and had white flower petals that matched her open-toed sandals. Her sandy blonde hair hung down to her shoulders, and she wore a silver necklace with a pendant of the sun. Very fitting, since Amber is always my sunshine on a cloudy day.
I finished preparing the next drink and set it on the pickup counter. “Roger! I’ve got your large Almond Abyss.”
Roger was busy talking on the phone but gave me an enthusiastic thumbs-up with his free hand before grabbing his drink and heading out.
I tapped Dean on the side of the arm. “Let’s switch back.”
“It’s not like you’re going to do anything about your little crush,” he complained, trading places with me so I could cover the register to take orders again.
Actually, the word “little” was not accurate at all.
My crush was bigger than theStarship Enterprise.
Dean was right about one thing, though. I wouldn’t do a thing about my feelings for Amber, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy her presence when she came in for a coffee.
If I were to have a type, she was it, hands down. Sweet, adorable, funny, a cute nose, and one of those people who always lets a person slip in front of her in line if they appear to be in a hurry or stressed out. That says a lot about someone.
Amber’s presence makes me forget important things, like breathing. Or adding whipped cream to the Mad Max Mocha.
“Back for more,” I said to her as she approached the counter with Stella.
Luckily, the lunch rush was over and there was nobody else in line. I had more time than usual to chat with her.
Amber smiled. “You can’t keep me away from this place.”
“Now, why would I ever want to do that?” I grinned, even though it was a serious question.
My world would turn gray if she ever stopped coming in.
Amber and Stella are two of my most loyal customers from the ad agency next door. Like clockwork, they come in every morning, Amber for her Caramel Spockiato,Stella for her Kenobi Cocoa. This was their second visit today, a rare occurrence. In fact, the last time they came in twice on the same day was Christmas Eve last year.
Not that I was keeping track or anything.
“Another Caramel Spockiato?” I asked.
“No, no . . . one a day is my limit,” she said. “I don’t want to be bouncing off the walls from the caffeine and sugar.”
“Well, bouncing off the walls is allowed. I don’t mind cleaning the fingerprints and scuff marks if it means you’re enjoying yourself.” I grinned, hoping I didn’t sound too corny.
“You’re so accommodating.” Her eyes twinkled happily as she continued, “We’re actually going to hangout here and have a late working lunch.” She browsed the selection of breakfast muffins, sandwiches, pastries, and cookies inside the glass display. “Hmm, too many options . . .” She bit the corner of her bottom lip and looked up at me. “What do you recommend?”
“Everything here is stellar,” I said, grinning maybe a little too much.
“Cute,” she said, acknowledging my pun. “But what would you eat if you were starving right now?”
“Ahhh . . . That’s easy.” I pointed to the first item on the bottom shelf. “The Terminator is a recent addition that came in fresh from the bakery ten minutes ago. It’s got tuna salad, tomato, avocado, and my super-secret chipotle sauce. My new favorite, by far. I can even slap some mozzarella cheese on that bad boy and heat it up to make it a tuna melt.”
“Ooh, yeah. That sounds good.” Amber gifted me a smile that went straight to my heart. It would give me energy for an entire week, plus enough in reserve to fire up theMillennium Falcon.
