Page 26 of The Wedding Run
“What exactly are we betting?” I ask.
“That’s up to you.” He opens a pint-sized refrigerator below the counter. “I could supply you with a lifetime supply of coffee.”
“Too far for me to drive every morning from Atlanta. Unless you deliver.” I peek around to see what he’s shaving into my cup.
He nudges the cup and shifts his shoulders so I can’t see what he’s doing. “You’re going to have to be brave.”
“How brave are you?” I counter. That puts starch in his spine. “Remember, I get to make you coffee too.”
“I’m not brave enough for instant.”
Roxie backs through the door carrying a tray. Luke helps her set it down. She starts loading muffins, scones, and sliced coffee cake into the display. Everything looks delicious and smells heavenly.
Luke slides a wide-mouthed, polka-dotted cup across the counter toward me. “You’re going to have to beat this.” He turns the cup to reveal a foamy bear atop my latte. “Give it a try.”
“How’d you create a polar bear?”
“Do I win?”
“Latte art is nice,” I say, lifting the cup, “but the taste is what matters.”
“This from someone who drinks instant.” He wipes down the machinery with a rag.
I take a sip. He’s studying me, and I feel my insides flutter. Then that thick, smooth taste awakens my senses. “Oh, it’s nice.”
He frowns. “That’s all you have to say? Nice?”
“Did you want me to say, ‘you win’?”
“Not with a ‘that’s nice.’ If I win, I want to win.”
“Competitive, are we?” I look down at the polar bear and lick foam off my lip. “White chocolate?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He looks so proud of himself that it makes me smile.
Obviously, I will have to study to win this contest.
“Any time you want to practice,” he waves toward his equipment, “you’re welcome. But since you only know how to boil water, you’ll need supervision.”
“I can do more than boil water.”
His look says,show me.
“How are you going to determine the winner?” Roxie interrupts our standoff.
Luke wipes the counter. “We haven’t worked out the logistics yet.”
“Hmm.” Roxie looks dubious. “What are you going to get if you do win? Is the prize monetary? Or something more like a kiss?”
Roxie’s gaze ping-pongs between us, but I don’t dare look at Luke. I glue my gaze to the foamy bear.
Thankfully, the bell over the door jangles, interrupting the awkward moment, and my father walks in.
“Dad!” He holds the door for a black woman dressed in a long flowing skirt and flats. I go to hug my father. He rolls in my suitcase. And more importantly, he holds my iPad and phone. “Thanks for bringing all of this! How’d you know I’d be here?”
“Luke called Delia to schedule a time to pick up your things. I wanted to see you and said I’d bring them by. Elle and Charlie will take the rest of your things to Atlanta.”
“What would I do without you?”
