Page 13 of By Any Beans Necessary

The grandmas erupted in laughter, their attention shifting from scandal to speculation. Michelle's quick wit had defused the tension, leaving the shop once again wrapped in a warm hum of camaraderie and the rich scent of coffee.

As Michelle went back to work, expertly cleaning the stranger's jacket, the biker couldn't help but admire her composure. She handled the situation with grace and humor,turning what could have been a disastrous encounter into a light-hearted moment.

"You know," he said, his voice still gruff but less menacing than before, "I've been on the road for days. I could use a good bear claw and some decent company."

Michelle looked up, her eyes meeting his. "Well, you've come to the right place. We've got the best pastries in town and the most interesting conversations."

She finished cleaning the jacket, revealing a gleaming black leather beneath the almost stains, then gestured toward a table by the window. "Why don't you take a seat? I'll bring over that bear claw and a fresh cup of coffee."

The biker nodded, taking a seat as Michelle bustled away.

Minutes later, Michelle returned with a steaming cup of coffee and a generous bear claw, the sweet aroma filling the air. She set them down in front of the biker, saying, "Enjoy."

By the time Michelle was ready to close up for the day, she couldn't be more relieved. It had been a long day filled with a never-ending supply of customers. To make it even worse, Jeff didn't show up during his afternoon break, and his absence had put her in a funk. She knew she shouldn't let herself get so attached to him, but she couldn't help it. She missed him when he wasn't around.

An hour later, Michelle made her way inside the local library. The evening breeze carried the scent of old books. She scanned the room, taking in the stacks of donated literature that towered like skyscrapers on the folding tables. Her gaze landed on Taylor Klein, who, with her hair twisted into a librarian's bun, was directing volunteers with a finger pressed firmly against her clipboard.

"Michelle, over here," a voice called out. It was Charlie, waving a hand above the heads of the browsing crowd, a brown Newfoundland by his side sitting as regal as a lion.

"Hey, Charlie," Michelle greeted with a smile, approaching him and scratching Maximus behind his ears. "I brought some coffee shop mysteries. Figured they'd be right at home."

"Perfect," Charlie said, taking the bag from her. "Taylor will be thrilled—she's somewhere around here alphabetizing donations by the minute."

"Sounds like Taylor," Michelle chuckled, turning away to navigate through the maze of bookworms.

"Michelle? It's good to see you," Jeff's voice was unexpected, causing her to spin on her heel.

"Jeff?" she blinked in surprise, noting the stack of worn paperbacks in his arms. "You're the last person I would expect to see at a book drive."

"A few months ago, you'd probably be right," he admitted with a crooked grin. "But Danny and Hunter roped me in. Said it was for a good cause. Plus, I figured it was time these guys found a new home." He shrugged, gesturing to the books.

"Wow, that's...really great of you," Michelle replied as she watched him add his contribution to the nearest pile. "Never took you for a reader."

"Hey, I can be full of surprises," Jeff quipped, eyes twinkling.

"Clearly," Michelle laughed, her curiosity piqued. She wondered what other secrets lay beneath his former bartender exterior. "What happened to you this afternoon? You didn't come into the Coffee Loft like you usually do."

He smiled sheepishly with a roll of his shoulders. "I had a rough day at the academy and decided to stay in and study instead of coming over. It was mentioned that I've been far too distracted lately."

Was he implying that she was the cause of it? She didn't want to get in the way of his new career, and she immediately felt bad. "Oh, I didn't mean to be a distraction, Jeff. I know howimportant your career is," Michelle said, concern etched on her face. "I hope I haven't caused any issues for you at the academy."

"No, not at all," he assured her, his gaze steady. "It's not you. Well, not entirely. I mean, you're definitely a distraction but a welcome one. I just need to buckle down and focus, that's all. It's been a bit challenging. But I'm managing."

Michelle nodded, understanding his predicament. "Well, if you ever need a break or someone to talk to, I'm here for you. I know how tough it can be to juggle responsibilities."

"I appreciate that, Michelle," he replied, a genuine smile lighting up his face. "I really do. And I'm glad I could help out here today. It's a great cause, and I'm happy to support it."

As they continued to chat, Michelle couldn't help but feel a warmth in her chest, realizing that her feelings for Jeff were beginning to go beyond mere friendship. She was smitten with him, but there was no way she was going to admit that, especially when they hadn't even been out on an official date yet.

Just then, Taylor approached them, her arms laden with books. "Hey, Michelle, I'm glad you met up with Jeff. He's been a tremendous help, but now I can count on both of you."

Michelle smiled with a nod. "Yes, we've been catching up."

Taylor glanced between the two of them, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she sensed the tension in the air. "I'm glad you two are getting along so well," she said, her tone carefully neutral. "I'll leave you two alone for a bit. Let me know if you need anything else to help sort the books." As Taylor walked away, Michelle turned her attention back to Jeff.

They shared a smile and then began putting the different book genres into piles. As they worked in comfortable silence, Michelle felt even more drawn to Jeff. Every now and then, she stole a glance at him, observing the determination in his eyes as he sorted the books. She admired his commitment to whateverhe was doing, a testament to a strong character she hadn't seen before.

"Hey, I was thinking," Michelle began, trying to sound casual, "maybe we could grab dinner after this."

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