Page 105 of Smooth Moves
Chapter 20
Sunday, while Cash went with Reid to his mother’s house to do some final cleaning, Rafi had asked to spend the day with Jordan. Pleased and surprised her brother finally consented to spending time with her, and of his own free will, she took him to one of his favorite breakfast places in Green Lake. He loved Sofa’s Bakery for their ham and gruyere croissants. She loved their ass-widening pastries.
Her stomach protested, loudly, that she needed to eat. By the time they reached the front of the line, she didn’t see any croissants left. She did, however, see the guy Cash had saved from a beating. What was his name again?
“Well, well.” The handsome guy gave her a big grin. “You’re Jordan, Cash’s main squeeze, right?”
Conscious of her brother listening with a fascinated look on his face, she nodded. “Um, yeah. This is my brother, Rafi. Rafi, this is—”
“Elliot Liberato. I own the joint.” He looked around him. “Impressive, huh?”
From behind him, a tall woman with dark hair and toned arms, wearing a sleeveless Sofa’s shirt, scoffed. “I’m sorry.Whoowns the place?”
“It’s family run,” he said smoothly, leaned closer, and added, “But I’m really the brains behind everything.” Elliot cleared his throat. “What can I get you—on the house?”
“No, no.” Jordan tapped her wallet. “I’ll pay for—”
“You’ll paynothing.” Elliot swept his hands in front of him. He seemed to have a tendency toward drama, and his voice rose and fell with an actor’s grace. “I’m still alive because of your boyfriend’s heroic sacrifice.”
“Elliot. You’ve met Cash. He likes to fight.”
“He savedmy life.” Elliot wiped at his eyes. “Those are imaginary tears, at the thought, thetravesty, of me being dead. And what a crime that would be.”
Rafi snickered.
“Elliot, for God’s sake,” growled the tall woman behind him. “We have a line, and I’m pretty sure your savior wants to order.”
“Thanks,” Jordan told her.
“No problem.” She cuffed Elliot in the head. “Little brothers are such a pain.”
He turned and glared at his sister before facing Jordan once more, this time wearing a sweet smile. “What can I get you two?”
“I’ll take a small vanilla latte and something like that.” Rafi pointed to the sign on an empty tray behind the glass case. “I wanted a ham and gruyere croissant too, but I think you’re out.”
“Not for you, handsome.” Elliot called over his shoulder, “Sadie! Chop chop. Get the young man an H&G, stat. And add a donut and a cowboy cookie. He needs to eat.” To Jordan, he asked, “And you, pretty lady?”
She laughed. “I’ll have a coffee and that Danish right there.” She pointed to the one she wanted in the glass case.
“By your command.” Elliot bowed and grabbed her an extra pastry as well.
She had to admit she liked him. She made a last attempt to reach into her wallet, saw his glare, and refrained. He had their order ready to go in no time.
“Thanks, Elliot.” She smiled.
“Anytime. Oh, there’s an empty table behind you. Hurry or you’ll miss it.”
They snagged the lone available table. Before they could sit, Sadie hurriedly wiped it clean. She eyed them both, her gaze flat, untrusting, before giving them a grunt and half smile. Then she ordered them to sit, eat, and enjoy before she left.
“Well,she’shappy to be here,” Rafi murmured.
“No kidding.” They grinned at each other then dug into breakfast.
Rafi polished off his croissant and an old-fashioned donut before starting a weird conversation about their terrific weather.
Curious to know why he’d wanted to come with her, Jordan remained quiet, letting him take the lead.
He fiddled with the lid of his coffee cup. Then he started talking about the various shades of blue and green in the park, which he associated with the summer blooms and clear sky.
