Page 30 of Lavender and Lightning

So yes, I’d seen what sort of equipment Lucas is working with, and I can’t deny thinking about it more than once in the middle of the night, when I’m alone in my nest. And those sorts of thoughts are definitely not the sorts I should be having at work.

I’m about to bring the conversation back to Jason when the front doorbell chimes, much to my relief. My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline as I watch Mateo dart in, closing the door quickly to stop the cold air from escaping. My mouth waters of its own accord at the sight of his broad shoulders stretching the material of his t-shirt in a way that defies physics, especially as it clings to his chiseled chest and stomach, stopping at his tapered waist. He’s still wearing his suit pants and loafers, so he must have come straight here from work. I glance up at the clock, my brows bunching in confusion as I see it’s still two hours until closing time.

“Don’t look so happy to see me,” he teases, shoving his hands into his pockets as he crosses the distance from the door to the counter.

“I am, but I thought you had a busy schedule?” I ask, looking back to his face.

Mateo’s brown eyes dance with mischief, and my heart skips a beat at the boyish grin pulling at his mouth. He’s up to something, and I can’t help but wonder what.

“My last meeting got canceled, so I decided to swing by,” he says casually, leaning across the counter to give me a quick kiss before settling back onto his heels.

I’m too stunned by his sudden appearance to give Gabby any flack for the stupid eyebrow waggle she throws my way before hopping off the counter and going into the back room. Mateo glances at her briefly before his attention turns back to my face. Once the door swings closed, he leans down onto his forearms, grinning again.

“That look spells trouble, I just know it,” I say, only half teasing.

“Am I that obvious?” He laughs under his breath.

I slide off the stool to get closer, leaning down to get to his level. “Only a little. My first clue was you showing up out of the blue. No text first means I can expect the opposite of boring.”

Mateo chuckles again, eyes finding mine. Even through the playful sparkle, the warmth simmering just below the surface makes him glow, and my whole body seems to perk up at the sight. His scent is bright and sweet, and just as refreshing as a cool glass of lemonade would be on a day like this.

“What if, hypothetically speaking, someone suggested getting out of town for a few days?” he starts, picking his words with care.

I hum in mock thought, but my stomach is already doing delighted little cartwheels.

“I guess it would depend on where the person asking wants to hypothetically go,” I reply, playing along with his game for the moment.

“But where would the hypothetical fun be if the person being hypothetically asked knew the hypothetical destination?” Mateo returns, unable to keep the smile off his face.

“Then I guess if someone hypothetically suggested going on a hypothetical mystery road trip, it would be hard to hypothetically refuse.”

Mateo’s smile widens, and I can’t help myself. I lean in and slant my lips over his in a short but sweet kiss. His hand comes up to cup the back of my neck, and I whimper softly at the first brush of his tongue on my lower lip.

“Ahem, my employee is still on the clock, boy.”

I jump back with a gasp, whipping around to find Wila standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips. My face flushes hot, but Mateo only laughs.

“Any chance I could convince you to let her off a little early?” he asks, turning up the charm.

I glance hopefully at Wila’s serious expression, but I can see the twinkle in her dark eyes.

“Not like you’d let her get anything done if she stayed,” she says at last.

I grin widely before straightening. Wila steps out of the way, but I still throw my arms around her in a quick hug before dashing back to hang up my apron on its hook. Throwing my crossbody bag over my good shoulder, I double check that my cell phone is in my pocket before returning to the front.

“Thanks, Gran. If you want me to make up the hours–”

“Bah, don’t even worry about it. I was young once, too, remember?” Wila says affectionately, giving me a sly wink.

“Was that before or after the invention of the wheel?” Mateo adds.

She lets out a bark of a laugh, but still flicks the towel in her hand at him. “Get out of here before I change my mind, boy.”

Mateo jumps out of range, giving her an over-exaggerated bow as I round the counter. Sliding my hand into his offered one is as natural as breathing. Mateo parked out front, and I don’t miss the small collection of luggage in his backseat. At least he thought that far ahead. Once we’ve pulled away from Wila’s, Mateo turns to me with a fond smile.

“I think we should do something before we get too far out of town,” he says, sobering for a moment.

I look at him with a questioning quirk of my eyebrow, and he sighs.

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