I blush harder at the implication that we’re together.
“She’s not a lady friend,” Sullivan is quick to correct.
“Are you sure about that? There’s definitely… something between you two.”
“Sullivan is just giving me a ride to my car,” I explain. Mrs. Bishop looks like she isn’t buying it, so I switch tactics. “Do you have coffee here?”
“Best in town,” she replies, echoing Sullivan’s earlier statement.
I cut a glance at Sullivan, who is smirking right at me. I roll my eyes, which only makes him smile more.
Mrs Bishop nods knowingly. “See? This is what I’m talking about. There’s something there.”
“I’d like an iced shaken espresso, please,” I tell her before she says anything else to embarrass me. “With vanilla sweet cream, if you have it.”
Mrs. Bishop looks at me like I’m speaking a foreign language. I glance at the menu hanging behind her and realize the only coffee options are regular or decaf. Great. One more way I’m making a fool of myself in front of Sullivan.
It was bad enough that he had to rescue me from my stupid, panicked decision to drive through a giant puddle in the middle of a torrential downpour. He must think I’m some helpless, pathetic loser who can’t even order coffee right.
“I think she means she’d like something with a lot of caffeine, cream, and sugar. Is that right?” Sullivan looks at me with a patient smile.
He’s not making fun of me, nor does he look like he’s annoyed. What is his deal? He can’t always be this… this… safe. Right?
I nod and take a step forward to pay for my drink, whatever it ends up being. Sullivan hands Mrs. Bishop cash instead, blocking me from paying.
“I can get my own drink. I don’t need you to pay for it.”
“Maybe I’m doing it because I want to, not because you need me to. Ever consider that?” he answers easily before finishing the transaction.
No. No, I actually never considered that. I don’t think I like him wanting to do nice things for me. I might get used to it.
Five minutes later, I have a large cup of coffee in my hands, half of which is filled with simple syrup and cream. Sullivan has two big boxes of assorted donuts, scones, and other pastries. This time, it’s me who opens the door for Sullivan.
“Thank you very much,” he says with a wink.
I roll my eyes at him, but truthfully, I appreciate his levity. My head is all over the place from the storm, the near-death experience, and being in an unfamiliar environment. Not to mention the complete lack of control I have over this entiresituation. I’m decidedly out of my comfort zone, and I’m not sure what to do about it.
Sullivan opens the passenger door for me and holds my coffee while I buckle my seatbelt. It’s such a small gesture, but no one has ever been this attentive to me. Why is he so thoughtful? Is he like this with everyone?
Ten minutes later, Sullivan turns into the parking lot of a retirement home on the outskirts of town. Not what I was expecting, but then again, this man keeps surprising me at every turn.
“Special delivery,” he explains. “Wanna come inside? I’m sure everyone would love to see a new face.”
“Oh. Um, I don’t… I’m not sure if… I mean, I don’t do well with… people,” I say, my words awkward and stilted.
“All the more reason to join me. You’ll never get better if you don’t practice.”
I blink at him a few times while he keeps that ridiculously sexy and sweet grin secured in place. For some reason, I find myself nodding along. His grin turns into a genuine smile. Is he happy I decided to go with him? I don’t understand.
Sullivan knows the key code to get into the secured building, and of course, he opens the door for me once it’s unlocked. I’m clutching my coffee as if it could shield me from prying glances and judgmental stares.
“It’s ‘bout time you showed up,” an elderly woman with a blue perm says once we step inside the dining room area of the facility.
Sullivan gives her a bright smile and sets down the boxes of goodies on the nearest table. She hugs him in the kind of comforting embrace I’ve only ever seen from motherly figures on TV. I wonder what it feels like to be wrapped up in the arms of someone who is genuinely glad you’re around and happy to see you.
“Sorry for the delay,” he says before stepping back and opening one of the bakery boxes. “I’d never skip out on a Sunday morning breakfast delivery, you know that, Deidra.”
“Ladies! Sullivan brought us the goods!” she calls out.
