Page 45 of How to Break My Heart

Thank God Maddy isn’t here, or we wouldn’t hear the end of it. Billie ushers Mrs. Brimsley to her regular table, then returns to the espresso machine to make her nonfat latte with one decaf shot and sugar-free vanilla. Additionally, Mrs. Brimsley requests room at the top to add cold milk and sugar. It’s bizarre, but she tips more than 20 percent, so we don’t give a damn how odd it is.

By eight, the morning rush is well underway. It’s Monday, so the café is busier than usual as people try to start their week with a bang. Over the next hour, I lose track of time. Billie is serving a customer at the counter who is so indecisive, I can see Billie’s patience being tested as she fidgets with her braids. I quickly put together some extra take-out boxes in the back until she calls to me.

“Oh, Eva, sunshine,” Billie sings out. “You have a visitor.”

“Who?” I yell out, sucking my finger from a paper cut.

Billie pokes her head in the back with a knowing grin. “Um… a very sexy man, who you clearly didn’t describe in your story.”

“His looks have no relevance in my stories.”

A snort escapes Billie. “Uh, yes, they do. C’mon, Eva, he looks like he just walked out ofGQmagazine.”

“Keep your voice down. If he hears, I’m sure he’ll find a way to use it against me.”

I’m taken aback by the fact he showed up, though, in hindsight, I wish I hadn’t made such a big deal out of yesterday. Maybe then he wouldn’t feel the need to prove a point, and I wouldn’t be standing here dreading leaving this kitchen.

“He may be sexy, but his arrogance is not.” I breathe deeply, clenching my fists tightly to ward off the nervous energy. Billiewatches me with amusement before I shoot a dagger at her with my eyes. “Don’t even think about saying it.”

She raises her hands. “I said nothing of the sort.”

Aston is already sitting at a table, wearing a light blue dress shirt and dark pants. Although he’s sans tie, he looks professional for our casual meeting. I glance down at my green apron, ignoring the urge to call him hot to his face. Knowing my luck, I’ll accidentally blurt it out and Aston willneverlet me hear the end of it.

Note to self—strangle Billie later.

“Good morning,” I say, almost choking on my words.

Aston glances up from his phone, a smirk settling on his lips. “I’m sure it is. Nine on the dot, as promised.”

I coerce a smile, desperately trying to forget about the words he whispered last night outside my apartment. With another deep breath, I take a seat across from him. A few customers are still sitting around, but Billie can manage alone.

“So, let’s get straight into it, shall we?” I pull out my notebook, filled with yellow Post-its from all the note-taking I did with Maddy. “I’ve made a list of all the things we need to get done for the wedding day, as well as a few events leading up to it. Now, I’ve broken it down by—”

“You look good today,” Aston interrupts, his gaze locked on me. “Glowing, in fact.”

My eyes fall to the open pages of my notebook as I swallow the lump caught in my throat. “I have no idea what you mean, but thank you, I guess.”

“You must have had a good sleep,” he remarks, his tone dripping with smugness.

This time, I glance up only to see his raised brow and cocky smile. “Actually, it was pretty shitty. Do you want coffee or something to eat? I could probably use another coffee.”

Aston leans back into his chair, looking way too relaxed. “Coffee sounds great.”

“How do you take it?” I ask, sliding my chair back to leave the table. It’s only been two minutes in his presence, and I need a break. “The coffee, I mean.”

“I knew you meant coffee. But it appears your mind is elsewhere.” Again, with a smug expression.

This is painful.

I wait with annoyance, only for him to say, “Tall Americano, three sugars.”

“Three sugars?” I question with my hands on my hips. “Do you want to die young?”

“I didn’t get much sleep, much like yourself,” he admits.

I would have thought he slept like a baby after working so hard at making my life hell, but something else must be weighing on his mind. My mouth opens out of curiosity, only to close a moment later.

Less is more.