Page 19 of Nanny for the SEAL

Her fingers move over the keys quickly as she punches in my order.

“Large?”

I nod. “Yup.”

“And is the whole milk okay?”

“Actually could I do a cream cap?” I smile nervously, knowing that it does take a few extra seconds to do that, and they are busy.

I know it’s not a big deal, but I’m always afraid of making someone’s life harder. I’m not here to make waves.

“Of course. I like it that way, too. I’ll have it right out. Name?”

“Oh, thank you. Umm, Ivy.”

She snags a plastic cup from the rack behind her and scribbles my name across the side. I pay and then take my place at the pick-up spot around the corner of the counter.

Even with how busy they are, it doesn’t take long for my drink to be ready, handmade by Sam herself, and she calls out my name.

“Thank you!” I call out as I take it, then spin around to try and snag a place by the window before I can’t even stand over there.

I don’t make it far, unfortunately, because I run smack dab into another patron throwing away their empty cup. On reflex, I yank myself backward as I squeeze my cold brew.

The delicious contents squirt out of the top as the lid pops off, and nearly the entire thing ends up on the floor.

“Oh, sorry.” The man who ran into me shrugs and wanders back off to his table as I’m left standing there in a bit of shock.

“Well, shit.”

Thankfully, I’m not covered in my drink, but I am still out my much-needed caffeine, and the floor is a disaster.

“Oh, no!”

I turn over my shoulder to see Sam standing there with a look of horror pinned to her face. Ducking my chin, embarrassed as all hell, I let out a rough exhale before tucking a fallen strand of hair behind my ear.

“I’m so sorry. If you want to bring me a mop, I’ll clean it up right away.”

Sam offers a sympathetic smile, shaking her head. “Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ll bring out a sign, and we’ll get it cleaned up. Your drink is toast, though. Let me make you another one.”

My brows shoot to my hairline, and I step up closer to the counter, sure to dodge the spill so I don’t fall on my ass, too.

“You don’t have to do that. I’m the one who dropped it. I’ll just order another one.”

She regards me, her eyes briefly flicking over toward the guy who’s back at his table now, newspaper blocking his face.

Shaking her head, Sam leans forward and whispers down to me. “I saw the whole thing. He walked right into you. It was mostly an accident, except I know Deacon, and he’s a tool. So, don’t stress. I’ll just whip you up another one.”

I struggle to hide a laugh under my breath and nod as discreetly as I can. “You’re amazing. Thank you.”

“Totally. Go snag a spot at the window, and I’ll bring it out. I’m due for a break anyway.”

Thanking her profusely again, I step around my spill once more and go to the window to take the only remaining stool.

Sam is over in a flash, and just as she arrives, the woman sitting on the stool to my left gets up to leave. Taking her spot, Sam slides over the new drink with a grin.

“There. Safe and sound.”

Laughing, I accept it and finally take a sip of the coffee I’ve been looking forward to. “It really wasn’t all that guy’s fault. I’m not particularly graceful.”

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