Page 48 of Colliding with the Coffee Shop Owner
"I prefer being hands-on with my coffee." I gesture around the shop. "No board meetings or venture capitalists to please." No knives in my back.
"Fair point." He leans back, stretching slightly. "Though, for what it's worth, I think the tech world lost something significant when you left."
Before I can respond, the bell chimes. Hannah Lewis strides in, auburn hair gleaming against her emerald sweater, arms full of library books.
"Lily! Just the caffeine sorceress I needed." Her smile falters slightly when she spots Max. "Oh, hello there, handsome."
"Hannah." I move toward the counter. "Your usual?"
"Please." Her gaze lingers on Max with unmistakable interest. "Triple shot mocha might be the only thing that'll get me through cataloging these local history books." She sets her stack down with a theatrical sigh.
Max offers her a polite nod, stepping aside to let her approach the counter.
Hannah leans in conspiratorially as I start her drink. "So," she says, voice pitched just loud enough for Max to hear, "the whole town's talking about how you two were trapped here during the blizzard." Her eyes dance with mischief. "Sheriff Donovan mentioned checking in on you. Said it was quite the coincidence that Max happened to be here when the roads closed."
Heat crawls up my neck. "The sheriff needs to focus on actual emergencies."
"Oh, he did." Hannah's smile widens. "But you know how news travels in Angel's Peak. Especially when it involves our mysterious newcomer and our favorite coffee shop owner."
Max chuckles behind her. "Small towns."
"The smallest," Hannah agrees cheerfully. "Thirty minutes after that storm hit, everyone knew exactly who was trapped where." She turns to face him fully. "And being stuck with Lily? You lucked out. She's the best company in town."
"I couldn't agree more." The warmth in his voice makes my hands fumble the milk pitcher.
Hannah's gaze bounces between us, clearly delighted by my discomfort. "You know," she says, tapping her manicured nails against the counter, "in all the years I've known Lily, I've never seen her blush quite this shade of crimson."
"Hannah," I warn, sliding her drink across the counter.
"What?" She blinks innocently. "I'm just making conversation with your... unexpected overnight companion."
Max's smile grows, a glint of something possessive flickering in his eyes. "I was more of a stranded traveler," he says smoothly, "though I can't say I minded the company."
The look he gives me sends my pulse racing again. Hannah catches it and practically vibrates with glee.
"Well!" She collects her books and her drink with surprising grace. "I should get back to the library before Meredith sends out a search party." She pauses at the door, unable to resist one final comment. "You two have quite the chemistry. Very... electric."
And with that, she's gone in a flurry of books, copper hair, and knowing smiles, leaving an awkward silence in her wake.
I busy myself wiping down the espresso machine, painfully aware of Max watching me. When I finally look up, he's leaningagainst the counter, amusement playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Electric," he repeats thoughtfully. "Accurate assessment."
"Hannah has an overactive imagination." I fold the cloth with more precision than necessary.
"Does she?" He steps closer, voice dropping to that low register that seems to vibrate through my bones. "Because I remember very real electricity between us last night."
The memory of his mouth on mine, his hands in my hair, floods back with vivid clarity. "Max?—"
"Have dinner with me tonight." His tone is soft but intent, eyes holding mine with quiet certainty. "Not here. Somewhere we can talk without the whole town providing commentary."
"Dinner?" The invitation catches me off guard. "I don't know if that's a good idea." Even as I say it, I know I'm going to say yes.
"Yes, that evening meal people often share." His eyes crinkle at the corners. "At Timberline, in The Haven. I've heard it's the best restaurant in town."
"It's the onlyactualrestaurant in town."
"Then my research is accurate." He leans against the counter, close enough that I catch the citrus notes of his cologne. "Say yes." It's not a question but a command, echoing the same authority that had sent shivers down my spine last night. "After all the coffee sampling, we should try something different. Let me take you on a proper date."
