“Emma,” I reply, sitting back down. “Fancy running into you here.”
Her lips twitch like she’s fighting a smile. “Yeah, what are the odds? I needed an afternoon caffeine fix. Who would have thought I’d run into an old friend?”
“Maybe I’m stalking you.” I tent my fingers and let out an evil chuckle. “Or, maybe, I just like good coffee.”
My chuckle gets an eyeroll. “Gee, I hoped you’d want to tempt me with toasted banana bread.”
Caught. I laugh, raising my hands. “Tempt sounds better than bribe. But seeing as we are old friends, I’m looking forward to the question and answer session where I ask the questions and reward your answers with coffee and cake.”
The waitress arrives before we can get into it. “Black coffee for my friend,” I quickly order, “and I’ll have a slow drip filter expresso with two slices of banana bread, hold the ice cream and butter.”
“Do I know you?” the waitress asks, holding a pen over her notepad.
“It depends. Do you want me to return, enjoy my privacy, and leave you a large tip?” I wait for her to understand. I’ll leave her decent tips as long as this can be a safe place for Emma and me to meet.
“Damn, all hot guys look familiar.” She gives out an exaggerated sigh. “How about you move to the table behind the planter, and I won’t fill the table next to it. You can remove those hoodies—and stop sweltering in this heat.”
“Thank you,” I say, helping Emma from her chair. Our new table is pressed into a corner with chairs facing the walls. “Are you okay here?”
“I feel like a spy.” Emma doesn’t remove her hoodie, but I remove mine and pull out darkened glasses. With my back to the room, and still wearing my baseball cap, I look like any normal gym rat.
“You look beautiful. The sexiest woman I know.” Am I gushing? Who the fuck am I and is it enough to convince Emma to stay the night?
“We both know that’s a lie.”
“So, let’s talk about the truth.” I hate pushing her, but I need to know. “That first night we were together, I thought you’d stay all night. I mean, we had a great night, easy banter, phenomenal sex …”
“Why thank you,” she interrupts with a laugh. “You weren’t so bad, yourself.”
“So, I need to know. If the sex was so good, and you didn’t hate the banter, why’d you leave before morning?”
Her face heats, and she glances around as if checking for eavesdroppers. “Keep your voice down!”
I smirk. “What? Afraid someone might overhear and think you’re the kind of woman who ghostsAustralia’s Favorite Bachelor?”
She groans, resting her forehead in her hands. “I didn’t ghost you.”
“No? What would you call it, then?”
“I …” She drops her hands and meets my gaze. “It wasn’t about you, okay? I just couldn’t stay.”
Her voice softens at the end, and it’s like a punch to the gut. She’s not going to tell me. Is there someone else? No. Emma isn’t like that. But why? Why’d she leave, and why is she being mysterious?
“Dyl, please. I like you. I’m here now.” For the first time, she reaches for me across the table, and I rest my fingertips over hers, needing the physical connection. “Please, just let it go.”
“Fair,” I reluctantly say after a long moment. Biting the inside of my cheek does the trick, allowing me to suck down how much I don’t want Emma keeping secrets, but not wanting secrets to become a roadblock between us. Keeping my tone casual, I add, “But you missed out. I make a mean morning-after coffee.”
She snorts, the sound so unexpected it makes me grin. “Is that your go-to line?”
“Nah. I can’t remember the last time I offered to make coffee for a woman. I guess that means you’re special.” I wink, and this time, she can’t hide her giggle.
“Oh, I bet.” She needs to take a sip of water to stop from choking. “Do you write these lines down ahead of time or just wing it?”
“Pure improvization,” I say, tapping my temple. “It’s a gift.”
Emma rolls her eyes but takes another sip of water. “A gift, huh? Must be exhausting keeping up the charm twenty-four by seven.”
“Not at all. It’s effortless when I’m around the right person.” I grin, loving how her cheeks turn pink.
