Page 78 of The Wedding Run
“I’m not giving away secrets,” Roxie says. “Only making sure no one gets burned.”
“Burned?” That makes me hesitate. My gaze shifts toward Luke, and I feel infinitely more at risk with him.
“Okay,” I whisper to Roxie, “let’s give him a jolt.”
She smiles and nods.
A few minutes later, I present him with a steaming latte. “Just ignore the foam.”
He twists the cup, turning it to the right, then to the left, and then all the way around. “What was it supposed to look like?”
“Guess.”
“Like looking at the clouds?” He winks. “Is it a rabbit?”
“Just drink it.”
He looks at Roxie. “Dare I?”
“What’s the worst that can happen?” Charlie asks.
We all stare at her leg, which can’t stop bouncing up and down.
“A heart attack,” he suggests.
“Probably won’t hurt you,” Elle confides.
“Probably?” Luke asks.
“You’ll be fine,” Roxie says. “Eventually.”
Charlie snorts, and Elle nudges her with an elbow.
“Get it over with,” I say. “Declare me the winner.”
He takes hold of the cup with both hands, slurping and swallowing. After a long pause, he finally says, “Not bad.”
“But not good?” I ask.
“I didn’t say that.” He tastes the coffee again. “How many espresso shots are in there?”
“A few.”
“Guess I’ll be fine for the drive to Atlanta.” With that, he downs the rest.
“Impressive,” Charlie observes.
A dot of foam clings to his upper lip. Charlie points to her own, but Luke doesn’t catch the hint. I lean forward and scoop up the dollop with my finger. Luke looks surprised, but not as shocked as my sisters.
Roxie clears her throat. “You’re going to Atlanta?”
“Closing shop for the rest of the weekend,” he declares. “Take a day off, Roxie. You deserve it.”
Elle, Charlie, and I exchange glances. We understand what it’s like to run a business. Days off, which are rare, equal no revenue.
“You don’t have to go with me if you don’t have the time. I don’t want you to lose business,” I argue.
“Haven’t you heard of ‘goin’ fishing?’” He grins.
