“Good morning. Can’t believe you talked me into this. I bet your mom is already at The Sea Glass, hard at work.”
“She is. I texted her this morning.”
“I should be there.”
“Relax and have your coffee. Who knows when we’ll be able to do this again. As it is, I barely see you anymore.”
“We’ve been busy with the opening.”She shrugged and took a sip of the coffee. Still piping hot. Maybe if she threw some ice into it, the coffee would cool down enough for her to drink it quickly.
“I just miss you.”
“I know. I miss you, too. Things will settle down.”Sometime. And she didn’t think that sometime was anytime soon.
“So…I heard that you asked Austin over for dinner last night.”
“How did you…”
“I ran into Emily and she told me he was coming to dinner. Is there anything you want to tell me?”
“No, I was just repaying him for all he’s done for Emily. And he taught her how to install the ordering system for the cafe. And how to do the social media. And, well, lots of stuff.”If she said it often enough, maybe someone would believe her. She was just repaying his kindness. Maybe if she said it enough,she’dbelieve it.
“The twins have been spreading the rumor you’re dating.”Heather cocked her head and raised a brow questioningly.
“No…we’re not. We specifically decided not to. I mean, he’ll leave soon. And Emily—”
“Don’t use Emily as an excuse. She’s a big girl. And she doesn’t care if you date or who you date as long as he’s not a serial killer or something.”
Olivia leaned back in her chair and sighed.“I know. She told me I should date him. But I already told him that we shouldn’t. And gave him some good reasons, too.”
Heather rolled her eyes.“Come on. Date the guy. What will it hurt?”
“He’ll be leaving soon.”
“I’m not asking you to get serious or marry him. Just go out and have fun.”
“But I’m so busy right now.”She shook her head.
“All the more reason that you should take some breaks and enjoy yourself. Life can’t all be about work.”Heather pinned her with a don’t-argue-with-me stare.
She leaned forward with her elbows on the table.“Well…I did think he was going to kiss me last night.”
“Well, that’s a tidbit of news.”Heather grinned.“Why didn’t he?”
“Emily walked up right then.”
“That girl has some really bad timing.”Heather took a sip of coffee and set the mug down.“But…did you want him to kiss you?”
Her silly pulse quickened just being asked that question. She shrugged nonchalantly, trying to cover.“Maybe.”
Heather laughed.“Youdidwant him to kiss you. I can tell.”
“Okay, I confess. I did want him to. There, are you happy?”She swept up her mug and took a swallow, glaring at her cousin.
Heather’s lips curved into a self-satisfied grin.“So, do you think he’ll ask you out again? Or you could ask him out.”
“I’m not going to ask him out.”
“Why not?”
