Page 11 of Seeking Two Lovers

I wanted to lie, brag about nonexistent men in my life over his happiness, but I had yet to find the same as he’d done in the year since our break-up. “Not yet,” I spoke the truth along with a word to reveal my hope.

Which reminded me of the app I hadn’t gotten a chance to check—

“When are you coming home for a visit? Zeke and I are headed to Philly for the expansion of Humanity House’s second location down there.”

“The one where Pastor Ezra works?”

“Aaron’s husband, yeah.”

While mention of people from our past and catching up on all I’d left behind wasn’t the way I’d choose to enjoy my break, hearing Levi’s voice kept our few minutes from being uncomfortable.

“I have to get behind the counter again,” I told Levi, headed back toward the cafe’s front door.

“If you ever decide the West Coast isn’t right for you, we’ve got a spare room in the condo.”

“Boston means snow and cold.” I shuddered while stepping into the cafe. “No thank you.”

Levi laughed lightly, bringing my smile back. “Talk soon?”

“Promise.”

He groaned. “You know I hate that word.”

“Oops. I take it back.”

Two minutes later, I resumed my position as smiling order lady without having gotten a chance to check if Scott had returned my poke.

Tall, dark, and handsome entered the cafe, ripping all thoughts of surfer blondie in the gray sweats from my mind.

Wide shoulders stretched out his green T-shirt with its Lionel’s Landscaping logo on his prominent left pec. Dirty jeans…worn-as-hell boots covered in dust.

A working man who probably had calloused hands.

Shivers slid down my spine, and I lifted my focus back up his muscular form, my tongue flicking over my lower lip at the sight of how well he filled out his dirty, sweat-stained clothes.

For the love of all things holy…

Our gazes caught, and my knees went weak.

Shadows haunted his hazel eyes. Similar to what I’d seen in Levi’s and never took note of until it was too late.

Unrest in his heart. Unhappiness in his soul.

My heart ached in that moment to soothe him as I’d always done with Levi.

But the man in front of me looked nothing like my geeky ex-fiancé.

A soft smile curved his lips, hesitant as though shy, and he quickly glanced at the chalk-written menu above and behind me while walking closer.

I swallowed hard, taking in the dark scruff along his jaw, the smear of dirt on his left cheekbone. “Hi.” The usual huskiness of my voice intensified from the butterflies dancing in my belly. “What can I get for you?”

My cell number? A night in the sack? A blow job? Reverse cowgirl ride of your life?

I’d have pretty much agreed to anything in that moment while tingles raced between my thighs.

“Black coffee.” Mr. Yummy gave me his eyes again, and another shiver licked down my spine. An olive green encased his pupils…going gold to deep nutmeg brown before the black center. Stunningly beautiful, a place a woman could easily get lost in.

Heat rose to my cheeks, but I forced out the upsell of fresh blueberry muffins even though others stood in line behind him.

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