Page 21

“Hmm,sir. I could get used to that,” Finn drawls, taking a sip of his coffee. “How is your morning going?”

“Going pretty smoothly,” I say in a friendly tone, trying to ignore his ‘sir’ comment.

He chuckles. “Mia, you don’t need to do the customer service thing with me. I was here when that toddler launched a smoothie at another table.”

“Okay, fair. It has been a bit of a circus here today,” I say, cracking a smile.

“How long have you worked here?” he asks, and I wonder why he’s asking so many questions about me. I start to get a little worried.

“A couple of years.”

“You’re pretty good at it, making all those drinks like a pro,” he says.

“I should probably get back to work.”

“Take a break. Come sit with me instead.”

There is no mistaking the flirty way he says it. And in his smile is something like hope. He wants me to say yes.

“I can’t do that. I can’t just ignore the other customers,” I say sternly.

“Well, that’s a shame. I appreciate your company,” Finn pauses. “You are remarkably beautiful, you know.”

A mix of pleasure and doubt runs through me. He’s just being polite. After all, my rolls are showing over the top of my jeans and around my apron.

“Thanks,” I finally say in a professional voice. “You are very kind.”

There is still so much I don’t know about this man. Finn just showed up one day, and now he never seems to leave. Despite how crazy it sounds, it doesn’t bother me entirely.

I like his presence in the cafe.

But what is someone like him doing in this little cafe in the middle of nowhere? I have never seen him with a textbook, and frankly, he looks way too sophisticated to be frequenting an establishment on this side of town.

“You know, Mia, I’m not one to blow smoke. When I say something, I mean it.”

My breath catches because I believe him. Suddenly, a voice sounds behind me.

“What the hell, Mia?”

My stomach plummets immediately. Justin is standing in the doorway, glaring at me as I talk to Finn.

Fuck my life.

Finn

I know it’s trouble as soon as that scumbag walks into the cafe. His eyes are ablaze, and every step he takes is an angry stomp.

“Justin,” Mia says, and I hate the fear in her voice. “I didn’t see you there.”

“I need to talk to you,” Justin says, his words an angry hiss. His eyes cut to me. “Away from customers.”

Mia nods, her eyes already watering. “Of course. Just give me a moment.”

“Now, Mia.”

My fists clench at my sides. I hate the way he speaks to her. I want nothing more than to interject and end this. Right here and right now. But Kane would get upset if I ruined everything, especially since she’s starting to trust me. So I wait and listen.

“I need money,” Justin says, antsy and agitated as they talk quietly away from the tables, but I can hear them very clearly with my alpha wolf senses.