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Guess I’ll just have to handle things myself until we get to London, after all. I’m not sure Grindr is gonna help much around here either. I give Quinn one last regretful glance and sigh. Maybe I won’t get a taste of him, but he’s definitely being filed away in my spank bank.

Leaving Quinn to nurse what’s left of his latte and cupcake, I slip behind the counter and smile widely at the first customer. The next couple of hours pass quickly as the shop gets busy with a constant stream of visitors. The summer season is definitely picking up, and I’m sure Colin’s going to have to employ another couple of people before I leave.

I was serious about investing in his business though. Even if I’m not in the bay, I’ll still keep in touch with Colin. I adore my little strawberry pop tart and if nothing else, I am heavily invested in what happens between him and hispapi chulo, Garrett. I bet those two would set the bed onfire. It’s always the quiet ones.

Dang, I seriously need to get laid if I’m spending this much time thinking about everyone else’s sexy times. Maybe Ishouldtry Grindr.

Finally, the crowd wears thin, with most of the parents fully caffeinated and headed to the beach with their kids. I wipe down the surfaces and check what’s run low in the display cases, I glance over and find Quinn still sat at the window table, deep in thought as he twists an empty sugar packet between his restless fingers.

“Hey,” I call over to him. He lifts his head and his pretty blue eyes lock on me as I smile back. “I’m not kicking you out or anything, but don’t you have something better to do than sit around and stare at the walls?”

He stares at me for a moment, then slides out from the chair and walks over to the counter.

“Are you okay?” I ask as he slips his hands into his jeans pockets.

“Yeah,” he replies on an exhale. “It’s just weird being back home. Don’t really know what to do with myself.”

“I guess it’s understandable, finishing college or uni or whatever. It’s a big change. Do you have a job lined up? Do you know what you want to do?”

He frowns and kinda hunches his shoulders. “It’s…complicated.”

“Say no more, although it’s okay, you know.”

“What is?” He fixes those baby blues on me and I lean toward him, propping my elbows on the counter and my chin in my hands as I watch him.

“Not having the answers.”

“Oh, I have the answers all right.” He sighs. “I’m just not sure my family is going to like them.” He shakes his head. “Sorry, I don’t know why I said that.”

“Maybe it’s because sometimes it’s easier to unload on a stranger than people who know you and have certain expectations of who they think you are.”

He chews his lip and watches me thoughtfully, and I try really hard not to stare at his mouth. Needing the distraction, I turn toward the back and call out.

“Hey, Colin!” My favourite ginger pokes his head around the doorway. “Mind if I take a break while it’s slow?”

“Sure. Might as well before we get hit with the lunch crowd.”

“Thanks.” I untie my apron and hang it on the peg as I round the counter towards Quinn. “Come on.” I grasp his arm and tow him towards the door, enjoying his warm skin and firm muscles beneath my fingers.

“Where are we going?” His lips curve in amusement.

“For a walk.” We step outside, and I reach into my back pocket for my sunglasses, which I slide onto my face.

“What?” I ask.

“I like these.” He grins and taps the corner of my oversized, star-shaped, glitter-encrusted sunglasses.

I shrug. “Life’s too short for boring old Ray-Bans.”

“Well, they’re certainly not boring. You could give Elton John a run for his money in those.” He chuckles. “Please tell me you have a whole collection of them.”

“Hell, yeah, I do.” I huff and wave a hand. “Who doesn’t match their sunglasses to their outfit?”

“I hate to break it to you, but I have a boring black pair I bought from Primark.”

I press my hand to my chest. “You are literally giving me chest pains right now. You’re lucky you met me, you know. We’re going to inject some colour and excitement into your life. But for now, we’re going to take a walk down to the oceanfront, and I’m going to buy you an ice cream because I may have only been here a few weeks, but I adore those—what do you call them, ninety-nines?”

He grins at me. “I can’t remember the last time I had one of those.”