Page 11

T he aroma of coffee in the morning is pure bliss. Lana already has a pot brewed and ready to go for the day. She was always a morning person but also a night owl. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her sleep.

“Hey, you.” She halfheartedly smiles, playing with the buckle of her jean overalls.

“Hey, you. How was the rest of the night?” I yawn, wishing I would have just gone to bed instead of the pub.

Lana’s body collides with mine, sending me forward. Her small body devours my back as her delicate arms wrap tightly around my torso. “I’m so sorry, Sora. I am so sorry. I wish I would have kicked Mark in the balls.”

A smile spreads over me, and I turn facing my best friend. “ You have nothing to be sorry for. You’re not responsible for anyone’s actions.”

She frowns. “Mark’s a total prick for putting his hands on you.”

“It’s not like he groped me. He just… massaged my head.” I chuckle, trying to brush it off.

“You were uncomfortable, though.”

I smile. Pouring a cup of coffee into the morning sunshine mug Lana made in pottery. “I was. But—”

“No buts. He’s an ass, and I broke up with him after he dropped me off last night.”

Guilt rears into me. “I’m sorry, Lana. You looked happy,” I fib. I’m only sorry for being the cause of their breakup, not for the breakup itself.

“Don’t be.” She shrugs. “I kinda, sorta have a confession.”

“Do spill.”

“I didn’t like him as much as I let on.” She snorts out laughing. “In fact, he is the worst. Nowhere near my taste and he hated everything I loved.”

I flash her with a warm, empathetic smile.

“How pathetic. A guy finally showed me attention and ran I with it, basically using him. What the hell kind of person does that make me?” Lana shakes her head in self-loathing.

“It makes you human. You wanted to feel something even though Mark turned out to be a total fucking creep. Even if that meant him showing his true colors along the way.”

“Shit. When did you become the sensible one?”

Sensible. Me? I was never very logical and definitely far from sensible.

“Don’t get used to it. I just think it’s your delicious morning coffee giving me brain power.” I laugh, the sound echoing inside my mug, and Lana chuckles. “Also, what is this insane notion of men not noticing you?”

“Sora. It’s true! Before Mark, my vagina hasn’t seen action since college.”

“College?” I ask, lifting a brow.

“Fine. High school,” she admits, causing us to burst into laughter.

After our laughing fit is over, her expression turns sober. “I don’t want to pry, but… there seemed to be something happening when Mark touched you. Something deeper.” She knows me. My best friend can read me like an open book.

“I’m not ready to unleash those demons.” There’s a part of me who is ashamed of what my past held, and it could still very well be my future.

Her eyes soften with a flash of disappointment. “That’s okay. Just know I’m always here for you.”

“I know you are.” I lean against the back of my chair, trying to turn the conversation lighter. “So, how did Mark take the news?” I ask, with morbid curiosity, hoping he was sobbing all night at the loss.

“He was shocked. Shocked! Couldn’t believe I was the one dumping him . What a pompous ass.”

I chuckle. “Loser. He’s too prim and proper for you, anyway. You need someone rougher around the edges.” I was going to tease her about Logan’s friend Crew, when the rumble of Logan’s truck distracts me.

Lana occupies herself with a mini chocolate chip muffin while I take my time rinsing out my mug. The morning sun shines as Logan gets out of his truck, sets down a toolbox and strips out of his hoodie, sending his shirt up with it.

Holy mother of…

Have I seen Logan without a shirt before? Yes, but I have a feeling that the glorious sight will never get old. His toned, ribbed muscles are certainly a glorious sight.

Jesus.

“You have drool coming from the side of your mouth,” Lana teases directly beside me, making me jump.

“I can’t help it when he looks like that.”

“Ain’t that the truth?” She pretends to fan herself off as we stare in innocent lust. Logan’s lifting something heavy out of his truck and his muscles bulge.

“The fact he doesn’t have a clue makes him even sexier.

On that note, I better get to the studio.

I have a group of new students coming in and I like to be prepared. ”

I turn to my best friend, who is tying her thick long hair up into a messy bun. “Maybe I’ll sign up for a class. Get in touch with my inner, absolutely zero art skill self.”

“Mmm. Yeah, you should probably stick to baking. I’ve seen you draw before. But I wouldn’t be opposed to you teaching me the secret to your brownie recipe.”

I shake my head. “I’m taking it to my grave.”

“Ugh. You’re so mean.”

My dad's recipe is a secret piece of him I can keep.

After Lana leaves, I head to work, too. But as I walk to my car, I catch a glimpse of a sweaty Logan doing pushups in his side yard and I roll my eyes. It’s literally seven in the morning.

I’ll never survive him being my neighbor.

The café is busy. No. Insanely packed.

Shelby drowns up front forcing me to pause my baking. “My goodness. Your desserts are flying off the shelves, Sora. I think the whole town is here just for your banana muffins.”

The line outside the door doesn’t lie. Shelby said she hasn’t seen it this busy ever. Regulars had their usual, but no one ever ordered seconds. Until now, according to Shelby.

“I’m just glad business has picked up.”

“Us too, dear. Us too.”

I spin, holding tongs in my hand, trying to clear the way for Shelby, who’s making coffee like a madwoman. I give the customer a friendly wave goodbye after I hand him his bagged muffins, clearing my view of the next person.

Logan.

Ah man. He must really love my baking. Not going to lie, it’s good for the ego.

“Logan,” I say.

“Sora.” He nods. The tiniest smile threatens to pull up at the corners of his mouth. It’s our little thing, I guess. First name greeting.

“Your usual?” Though he’s only ordered once, I’m wondering if he has a usual.

“That’ll be good. Thanks.” His deep voice slithers through my skin and when I turn, I smack right into the same counter that’s been there. I knew that.

I snap the lid on his to-go cup and hand him his bag with an orange scone. A muffin also included. “Here ya go.”

He accepts the bag, and I accept his cash, holding each other’s gazes longer than normal. His blue eyes seem lighter today. “Thanks.” He dips his head. “Mrs. Stevens.” He turns his broad shoulders and leaves.

And here I thought Logan was going to end up being my grumpy neighbor but in fact, he’s just quiet.

“My, oh, my. That young man sure is handsome.”

“Logan?” The blush clearly forms on my cheeks as I pretend to be oblivious.

“Mhm. Don’t make em like that around here anymore.” She snickers as I laugh. “I wonder when he started drinking coffee, though?”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh. Just that he never usually comes in here.” She shrugs and helps the next customer in line.

Interesting.