Page 17 of Quarterback Sneak
“Ignore them; they’re just jealous,” he says, causing me to smile. “But in the event that they’re going to riot and rush the counter, I’ll order and move on. I'll get a black coffee.”
I gape up at him, wondering why I just told him about our flavors if he was just going to get black coffee. He shocks me by winking at me and handing me his card. I swipe it and hand it back to him. Thankfully, because it’s black coffee, I can just grab it and hand it over. I grab a hot cup and walk over to the pot of hot coffee, only to find it empty. I grit my teeth; I hate when that happens. I know whose job it was to start a fresh pot, but they didn’t. I need to just start doing it when I’m on shift. I turn back to the good-looking guy. “I’m sorry, but there’s none currently made. I’ll start a fresh pot and get it to you as soon as possible, but it will take a little bit.”
He gives me an easy smile that does something to my insides and makes a point of glancing at my name tag. “No worries. I’ll be studying here for a little while anyway. No rush. Thanks, Evie.” With one last smile, he turns away. It takes a moment for me to regain my equilibrium, but there’s no time to stall, not when the line is as long as it is.
I’m in the middle of dropping off a cup for Rachel to make an iced latte when she snags my hand, startling me. “How do you know Zane?”
“Zane?” I ask in confusion.
Her eyes are wide. “The guy that ordered the black coffee. That was Zane Blackwood.” I can tell from her voice and expression that it’s supposed to mean something to me. “Quarterback of the Barracudas,” she says slowly.
“Oh.”
“Yeah, oh!” she says in return. She laughs at my face. “You didn’t know who he was?”
I shake my head. “No.” We don’t get a chance to talk anymore because we both have to get back to work. I mentally pushthoughts of the quarterback from my mind. That is until the coffee pot finally finishes brewing. I fill up a cup and put a lid on it before walking over to Rachel. “Hey,” I whisper. She keeps making the drink she’s working on.
“Is there a reason we’re whispering?” she asks.
“Do you want to take this to the football guy?”
Thatgets her attention. She grins. “Yes! Thanks, Evie.”
I smile at her. “Anytime.” She surprises me by pulling the ponytail out of her hair and letting it fall around her shoulders.
“Do I look okay?”
I give her a genuine smile. “You look great; go get him.” I can’t help but grin when she walks around the counter and shoots me a wide-eyed look before walking towards the back of the shop, where I know the football player is sitting.
“Focus, Bennett,” Sam snaps at me. “You’re two drinks behind.” I turn to her in surprise, but she’s already moved on. I don’t bother telling her that they’re not my drinks to make. Since the line is empty at the moment, I grab the two cups and start making the drinks, calling off the names when they’re finished. When I glance up, I’m surprised to see that Rachel is no longer at the table. I see the other tall guy from the last night sitting with the football player.
Rachel grabs my hand as she walks past me and squeezes it. “Zane is so hot.” I just shake my head at her and keep making drinks. When I look up, Zane is staring intently at me. I drop my gaze quickly and get back to finishing the drink I was working on.
“Seriously, people,” Sam snaps. “How long does it take to make a few drinks? Rachel, let’s move.”
Rachel gives me a side eye, and I give her a slight shrug. I don’t really know what’s wrong with Sam tonight; I sure hope she gets it figured out before we go back to the room for the night. “Evie, you’re done for the night. Clock out and head out.”
I glance up at the clock. “I’m on until eleven; I have another hour.”
“Not tonight. We’re slow and don’t need the extra help.”
I glance out at the packed coffee shop. Sure, the line has died down for now, but the shop is nowhere close to being slow. I walk over to where Sam’s working. “Sam,” I keep my voice low. “I need the hours.”
“Not tonight, Bennett. It’s my job to send people home early when we don’t need them.” She turns to me. “I’m sure you have studying to do anyway.”
I do, but that’s beside the point. “Okay.” It’s not worth the fight. I meet Rachel’s eyes when I turn around.
Sorry,she mouths.
I give her a smile, so she knows everything’s fine. I drop off my apron in the back and head out the back door. I blow out a breath, trying not to get frustrated. I’m so lost in thought I nearly run into somebody. I glance up at the last second. “Oh, sorry.”
Zane Blackwood stands in front of me. “No worries. You seemed lost in thought; I was going to warn you if you were about to crash into me.”
His easy smile and words make me smile. “Thanks. Have a good night.” He surprises me by falling into step next to me. I falter in my step and glance up at him.
“I’ll walk you wherever you’re going. That way, if you get lost in thought again, I can warn you if you’re about to trip or walk into somebody.”
I let out a small laugh. “You really don’t need to,” I tell him, unsure of how exactly to take him.
