Fuck.
I put my fingers to my forehead, letting out a slow breath as I survey the mess. When my gazeshifts to the counter, my breath catches. Two dark chocolate eyes are locked onto mine.
“You good down there?” he chuckles, leaning over the counter, assessing the damage he so obviously caused.
I stare up at him, brows furrowed.
“Yeah, all good. I just uh… I tripped on the mat, no biggie.” I try to brush it off casually, but I know he’s not falling for any of it.
“Mhmm, sure, got it. Do you need any help?” He looks between me and the layer of coffee grounds covering the counters and floor.
“No-no, I’m good, but thanks though,” I say as I rise to my feet. “What can I get you?”
“Well, I was gonna get some coffee, but I don’t think you have much left at the moment,” he says, eyeing the mess with a smirk.
“So I’ll take an almond croissant for myself, and one of those bacon croissant sandwiches for the drunkard at home,” he says with a grin, beforehanding me a twenty-dollar bill.
“Oh, you have a girlfriend,” I blurt out before I can stop myself.
He bursts out into laughter, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin.
“More like an asshole brother who wakes me up at three am to spill the latest bar drama. But, yeah, pretty much the same thing.”
I giggle at that, grabbing his order from the pastry case and placing it carefully into a paper bag.
“Well, hopefully these help both of you,” I say, sliding the croissant toward him before turning to pop the sandwich in the mini oven.
I set the timer, and as the oven door closes, I catch his reflection in the glass, his gaze lingering on me.
He’s watching me again.
It’s that same look he gave me before he made me see the Gods last night. I swear I catch aflicker of recognition in his gaze, like he knows what I’m thinking.
The ding from the oven pulls me from my thoughts. I grab the tongs and slide the sandwich into a bag.
Turning around, I set the bag on the counter before giving him his total and cashing him out. He’s no longer looking at me like he wants to devour me, but I can still feel something lingering in the air.
He knows. He has to.
CHAPTER 15
Ronan
My girl is so cute when she’s flustered. I can tell she’s going over the events of last night in her brain. I don’t blame her, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it myself.
I’m just saying that candle dream was a chef's kiss.
After handing her a twenty and telling her to keep the change, I spot her face dropping just the smallest bit. Aw, she doesn’t want me to leave. How precious. She’ll find out soon enough what the object of my desire is. But until then, I might as well keep her guessing.
“Thanks for the sweets, gorgeous.”
Her face falters a bit more, brows drawing together in confusion. I could get used to that little nose crinkle she’s doing, too.
“I’ll have to stop by more often now that I know you’re here,” I say with a wink, pushing the hair out of my face.
“Have a good day!” She practically sings to me, making my heart flutter.
My Gods, this woman has no idea what she’s doing to me.
