Page 14 of Yes & I Love You (Say Everything 1)

“Yeah. A buddy of mine turned me on to her NOLA Vibe posts a while back because I like knowing what’s cool to do in the city. But I ended up searching for her original blog and reading her entire backlog of movie reviews. That was a big commitment because she’s been doing those for years, but she makes me laugh.”

“Cool.”

It was a cool, now-leave-me-alone tone, but he couldn’t seem to stop talking to this woman. The ADHD kid with no filter still lived right under the surface when he wasn’t careful. “Did you see her post the other day? The one where she called that pretentious dude and his funk pop band Flunk Pop? That was the best.”

Her shoulders lowered a little, but she kept her back to him and continued to scroll through her phone. “I heard the lead singer sent her hate mail. Blew the comments up, too.”

Jasper leaned forward on the counter, intrigued by the husky sound of her voice. Her words weren’t coming out as clipped anymore. “I don’t doubt it. But I looked up some of his songs after the article and, man, I’m not sure anyone would call that music. Miz Poppy spoke the truth.”

Hollyn closed the web browser on her phone and turned around. Her lips were pressed together like she was concentrating. Or annoyed.

He set her coffee on the counter and then slid his phone next to it. “You know, if you’re too busy later and need a second cup, you can text me your order. I’ll walk it up or send someone up with it.”

Her gaze darted up, meeting his. “Really?”

He had no idea why he was offering this. He hadn’t offered delivery service to anyone else. “Sure. No problem.”

She reached out and took his phone, typing in her number and texting herself. Her phone buzzed in her other hand. She set his back on the counter and took her coffee. “Thanks, Jasper.”

“Anytime, Ms. Busy.”

She wrinkled her nose.

“Sorry,” he said quickly. “Just messing with you.”

She shook her head. “It’s not… Never mind. Thanks for the coffee.”

“You betcha, little lady.”

Little lady? What the fuck was that?

She made another face and quickly turned away.

Smooth, Deares.He rubbed the spot between his eyes. Since when had he forgotten how to talk to women? He was the improv guy. He was quick-witted. He was excellent at nonaggressive flirting. It was one of his favorite sports.

But somehow this Hollyn woman and her clear disapproval of him turned him into awkward dude who sounded like a 1950s cowboy.

She was probably adding him to her never-speak-to-again contact list.

Who could blame her?

But three hours later, Jasper got a text from an unknown number.

This is Hollyn. Extra-hot decaf please, one sugar. Thank you.

Yep, she was in avoidance mode. He was never going to speak to her again.Way to go, Deares.He stared at his screen. He should just let it lie. Not everyone had to like him. Not everyone had to be his friend. But his fingers started moving before he could finish the thought.

Jasper: The decaf has asked not to be objectified. He prefers to be referred to as handsome decaf, slightly sweet.

Jasper groaned at his own bad joke. Now he was going to make the woman regret sharing her phone number. The little dots appeared on his screen, then stopped, and then appeared again.

Hollyn: I beg his pardon. I guess I should refrain from asking for something as crass as whipped cream on top.

Jasper let out a breath and smirked. So shedidhave a sense of humor.Good to know.

Jasper: He is officially scandalized. He’s filing a report with Ellen in HR.

Hollyn: All comebacks I’m thinking of wouldactuallyget me a file in HR. So I’ll just say thank you.

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