Page 9 of Gabriel & Skye

“You too.”

They make their way to the table and May tells me Gabriel’s coffee is a tall Cafe Latte.

Awesome. Now I get to test my not-so coffee making skills on the Bassetts. And if I mess up, I’m sure the whole of town will hear about it.

Gabe steps back in. As he passes, our eyes meet. He doesn’t offer a smile or much friendliness at all. Just a broody, annoyed look as my eyes trail down to his backside as he passes.

He might look like a serious businessman, but he’s a hot one. There’s not one hair out of place. His face sports a thin layer of stubble and I feel the urge to find out if it’s soft or bristly. So far, the men in this town are ten out of ten.

“Are you alright with the coffees?” May asks as I set out the saucers and grab the milk from the fridge.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine.” Uncertainty rings in my tone, but I mean, how hard could this be?

“Just like I showed you. The key is not to be intimidated by the machine,” May says. “It’s like a dog; it can smell fear.”

I laugh and set about making them. Measuring out the coffee as I froth the milk.

Satisfied I appear to be doing it right, May prepares the rest of their order from the display fridge across the long wooden counter.

JJ, one of the servers, comes over to pick up the order.

I don’t think I’ve done too bad a job. The milk foamed at least, and I made the top look pretty with the chocolate sprinkles. I might actually be getting the hang of it.

However, my self-triumph is short-lived when I glance over and see that Gabe guy take a sip of his coffee, then just a few seconds later he starts coughing like he’s choking mid-sip. Oh, shit.

Did I mess up?

I rack my brain to think about what I did wrong. I’m sure I did everything Aunt May told me. Running my hand through my red, wavy locks, I wish I could sink under the counter and stay there.

I’m so crap at this coffee business. I think I need to run back to childcare where I fit properly.

“I’m just going to head to the ladies.” I’m desperate to make like a tree and leave. But before I get to go, I hear someone clear their throat at the counter.

I turn and see Mr. CEO and his blue eyes looking at me.

Shit, he really is cute.

My eyebrows shoot up as I wait in anticipation for what he’s going to say. My gut twists at the thought he might yell at me.

He’s holding his cup and saucer and not looking overly impressed; his frown says it all.

“My coffee tastes weird, and it’s lukewarm.” Tilting his head, he has an equal amount of annoyance mixed with amusement in his tone. “I’m not sure there’s any coffee actually in it.”

Tastes weird? Huh?

My eyes widen. “I’m so sorry.” I rush over to take it away, embarrassed but also annoyed because I followed the stupid instructions. “Though, I don’t see how it could be lukewarm, I had the thermostat…”

“Trust me, it is.” He presses his lips together.

My neck strains as I look up at him, his towering stature impossible to ignore. He’s definitely over six feet.

I’m a little stubborn when I want to be. “Like I said, I’m sorry. I’m not sure how that happened.” Maybe it’s you being an asshat.

“Taste it if you like?” He tilts his head to the cup.

“Um, that’s fine, I believe you.” Crap. “I can remake it if you like?” What is wrong with me? Of course he wants another one. A hot one, preferably.

I don't want Aunt May to fire me on my first day, even though I'm just helping out. I still want to do well. She seems to be too caught up laughing with Grayson and Hartley at their table. Hmm. Their coffee seems to be okay.

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