“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. Hemustreallylove 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.
