Page 36 of For All It's Worth
We looked at each other before turning back to a laughing Dr. Cross, nope, Evan. This was going to take a lot of getting used to.
Looking at Charlie again, I noticed that there was a line of tension running through him and his eyes had shuttered. He seemed to be upset about Dr. Cross being here. Not because I knew that he had a therapist, we’d talked about that before, and he’d told me things from his sessions that he hadn’t needed to.
No, there was something else there. He bristled every time that Dr. Evan looked my way.
Jealousy. It had to be.
Joy, pure and simple, filled me at the thought of Charlie being jealous at the way that Dr. Evan was looking at me and the idea that we had some sort of relationship. At least one that was close enough for an in-joke or nicknames.
I didn’t know how to play this. On the one hand, I was over the moon to be getting this kind of reaction, even though I was worried about the effect it would have on Charlie. On the other hand, I kinda wanted to flirt a little, but I decided to go with my first instinct, which was to placate Charlie. We were working slowly towards something more. He’d only been home a few days short of a month so I didn’t want to rush anything, but I also didn’t want to play with his feelings or risk mine being hurt either.
I couldn’t seem to put the idea of Dr. Cross, the hot therapist, potential secret daddy, together with the guy, Evan, that Charlie had told me about. Though to be fair, he hadn’t told me much about the guy other than he was pretty cool and easy to talk to. I just assumed that since Evan was a former addict, or a recovering addict, himself, (painkillers, not booze), that he was…I dunno what I thought. It wasn’t that, anyway.
Dr. Cross had admitted to driving to us since he was at least five blocks away, and at first, I thought it was strange that he would return here, but he confessed to becoming addicted to our treats since he was also gluten-free and we catered so well to those with dietary requirements.
While I’d been thinking, looking off into the bookstore like it had the answers, Charlie had taken Evan’s order and quickly turned to start making it. The man in question looked at Charlie’s rigid back at the coffee machine and seemed amused.
I moved a couple of steps to put myself next to Charlie and rubbed my hand up his arm gently, wanting to reassure him. He was holding himself stiffly. I wasn’t so far away from the counter that I missed the way Evan’s eyes tracked the movement before he glanced at me in approval.
Interesting.
“You okay?” I whispered to Charlie.
He glanced quickly at me before returning to the decaf caramel latte he was making with clear skill.
“Yeah. Talk after?” He was careful to talk in a way that he wouldn't be overheard.
I nodded and stepped back to the counter so I could check which pastry Dr. Cross, no, Evan, wanted.
After passing along the treat on one of the plates I'd made with our logo, we both watched Charlie as he pretended to ignore us while he finished up Evan’s drink. His movements were quick and efficient and it was clear that he was comfortable with the machine. I was proud of how well he used it now. He’d picked it up again really quickly.
Charlie grabbed a tray, placed the cup carefully on it before scooping up the plate and putting it next to the cup. Competently arranging some sugar packets and a couple of napkins, he settled them on the tray before sliding it carefully closer to Evan.
It was a dismissal more than anything else and Evan noticed it. Charlie wouldn’t meet his eyes. I’d say something about Charlie being rude to a customer, but I figured that this was regular behavior in their relationship.
“Thanks, Charlie,” he said, picking up the tray and tossing me a wink. “This looks great. I’m expecting someone, can you tell them I’ll be up in the back? I need to find a book.”
“Sure,” I said, confused. Evan had never met anyone here before.
After he picked a table, he took a quick drink of his latte and nodded, clearly satisfied with it without adding any more sugar to the already sweet drink. Then I watched him get up and wander over to the bookstore, greeting Finn as he caught his eye.
“What did Evan mean?” Charlie asked abruptly.
“Can we talk about this later? It’s embarrassing.” My cheeks flushed at the memory.
Charlie grunted, clearly displeased but willing to wait.
It wasn’t long before we had to put the conversation aside, regardless of my feelings, to deal with a group of students from the nearby university campus. I’d made a point in checking out some of the courses offered so we could stock the relevant books. In leaner months when we first opened it kept the lights on without another cash injection from Charlie, so I couldn’t complain about them frequenting the café.
A beautiful bronze-skinned man approached the counter after the group dispersed and I was struck with how delicate his features were. He was smaller than me and his hair was blue, giving him an ethereal quality. He wore a natural pout as he placed an order, looking between me and Charlie before his eyes narrowed on my name badge.
“Excuse me,” he directed this at me, “Do you know where Dr. Daddy is?” His tone was snide. He smirked, “Sorry I mean, Dr. Cross.” in a faux apologetic voice.
Well, fuck.
Confirmation if I needed it that not only did I call Dr. Cross - Evan! - Dr. Daddy, but he heard me and told this person.
We didn’t get a chance to point out his table before Evan reappeared and called to the newcomer, “Elias, love, I’m here.”
“Hey, Daddy,” Elias called back.
Nailed it.
