Page 18 of Whole Latte Love

Perhaps I can just enjoy my time with her and that’ll be enough for me.

I can set aside my growing feelings and just enjoy being together. I could also jump right into love again, give in to my heart’s desires. Maybe pizza and beer aren’t the best meal to have when you’re under stress.

Nerves, stress, love, everything is jumbled together and it’s like a giant ball of dough is sitting in my stomach.

Marie

As promised, the day after my date with Theo I headed into the bakery. Thankfully he was awake and out of my house by eight. It gave me time to shower and get ready for work. I didn’t tell him I had work, but Sally had promised she’d get Victor to cover my morning so I knew I wouldn’t have to rush Theo.

What a night together. My legs still feel weak, all wobbly like Jell-O.

I walk to the bakery and enter, letting the delicious smells of freshly baked bread, brewed coffee, and sugary sweets wash over me. That smell never gets old. I head straight the counter, ready for coffee number two of my morning.

Anne greets me with a smile. We chat briefly as she pours me coffee and grabs me a cheese Danish from the display case. She’ll grab Violet and Bethany from the back for me. I take my goodies and head to a table. As I sit down Sally walks in, waves, and gets her usual plain black coffee. Her blonde hair is pulled up in a high ponytail. She’s off on weekends so she looks as if she’s going for a run instead of her usual business attire. Anne and she are laughing about something.

Bethany and Violet exit the kitchen. In their typical work clothing of course. Violet is in jeans and chef’s jacket, brown hair pulled back, and flour on her cheek. Today Bethany is wearing jeans which would be a surprise, except she has a neon purple sweater and leopard print heels.

Soon all my friends join me, eager for details.

I tell them about the dinner date and how I offered to make him coffee. They ask about the dinner, our conversation, and of course… what happened next?

“We slept together,” I whisper, looking around the café area. “It was amazing and I want to do it again, but I don’t know if he’d be open to just a fling.”

“When does he leave town?” Sally asks, sipping her coffee.

“He’s staying until the end of August. Which gives us time to go on another date or two.”

“And another round of steamy sex,” Bethany points out.

“I didn’t say anything about the sex being steamy.” I narrow my eyes at her as she eats a muffin.

“You didn’t have to,” Violet chips in. “Your cheeks are as rosy as if you gave us a play by play.” She grins.

“It was spectacular. He was very focused on me, which was a nice change of pace. I’m just unsure of what’s next.” I sigh heavily, closing my eyes.

“I say just ask him on a date. Don’t worry about the what-ifs, especially if he’s leaving in by August,” Bethany says.

“He’s just a guy on vacation. I doubt he’s thinking about starting anything serious, so just relax and have fun like you intended. Only now you get a little longer to enjoy yourself.” Sally shrugs.

“You’re right.” I sit up straighter. I know my friends are right.

I don’t have to date Theo in a formal way. We don’t need to talk about exclusivity and what’s next for our relationship. I can just ask him out, no strings attached. We can have a good time. Then when he leaves, no one gets hurt. I’m sure he’s not even thinking about me in a starry-eyed, falling in love way anyways. He’s probably just looking for fun before he goes back to his everyday life.

We continue to chat about my date and what everyone has planned for the weekend. When my friends disperse, I decide to text Theo and invite him out tomorrow. The roastery is closed on Sundays so I have all day to relax and unwind. Normally I do chores, but I’d much rather do Theo.

I can’t help but grin as I text.

Marie: Would you want to grab coffee and go to the beach tomorrow?

He instantly texts me back. It makes me feel as if he’s been staring at his phone since he got home.

Theo: I would love that. Where and when?

Marie: Sprinkles Bakery & Café, you can’t miss it. Neon cupcake sign in the window. Does eleven in the morning work for you?

Theo: Yes. I will be there! Swimsuits?

Marie: Sure. Hope you’re writing is going well.

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