Page 126 of Light My Fire Three Times
There’s a deep, earthy scent that lingers in the air, almost like toasted almonds mixed with cocoa. Then I get a sharp, spicy note from the cinnamon she’s been dusting over the froth of a cappuccino, curling into the steam, combined with the caramelized sugar. Sweet, smooth, almost buttery.
This place… it’s Olivia in a cup. She’s got this way of making everything around her feel just a little bit better. Her coffee? Addictive. Her smile? Even more so.
She’s inside, doing her thing. The sleeves of her sweater rolled up, her hands quick and steady as she works the espresso machine. She’s lost in it, humming to herself, the sound musical.
If I weren’t so obsessed with watching her, I’d almost call it soothing.
But, then again, I’m not here for soothing today. Today, I’ve got one thing on my mind… making her laugh.
I lean against the side of the truck, my jacket tight around my chest.
“You know,” I call out to her, “I think you’ve got a secret. You’re brewing more than just coffee in there, aren’t you?”
She barely looks up, full of mock suspicion. “Oh, really? And what makes you say that, Karl?”
I tilt my head, a grin spreading across my face. “I don’t know, it’s the way you’re moving around in there. You’re either making the best damn coffee I’ve ever smelled, or you’re trying to summon a genie. Either way, I’m in.”
Olivia rolls her eyes, and even though it’s the usual eye roll, there’s something about the way she does it that still makes me want to kiss her.
“Maybe I should summon one to get rid of you,” she teases, but I see that smile fighting its way through.
The one that’s for me.
“I can’t go anywhere. Not when you’re making coffee look this sexy.”
She doesn’t even look up, but I can see the corner of her lips twitch.
“Is that so?” she replies, her tone dry, but with a touch of something playful underneath.
I take a step closer, resting my hand on the side of the truck. “Oh, yeah. It’s like you’re seducing that espresso machine. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to make me jealous.”
Olivia finally glances at me, rolling her eyes as she pours the milk into a cup.
“You? Jealous?” Her voice is laced with amusement. “I didn’t know you were capable of that.”
I lean in a little, my smile spreading.
“Well, you’d be surprised what I’m capable of,” I say, lowering my voice just enough for her to feel the weight behind it. “But don't worry. I’ll survive.”
“Karl, get your ass in gear,” Jesse grumbles, standing in the doorway of the fire station with his arms crossed, brows furrowed. “You’ve been outside all morning flirting. We have fires to fight, you know.”
“I’m coming, I’m coming…”
“Leo and I are waiting for you, actually, to put some effort into your job.”
Olivia chuckles from behind the counter, clearly enjoying the back and forth. I catch her eye and see the amusement in her gaze. “Seems likesomeonewants you.”
I shoot her a playful wink. “Iknowyou want me too. Unfortunately, I have to go and be a hero. But I’ll be back.”
“Go save some lives, Karl,” she says, her eyes glinting with something I can’t quite name, but I know exactly what it means.
“After I’ve made a mess of your heart, I’ll be happy to.”
Jesse clears his throat from the door, his tone teasing as he leans against the frame. “You done, or are you going to make this more painfully dramatic?”
“Right, right,” I chuckle, stepping past him. “You’re no fun.”
“Yeah, and you’re a damn flirt,” he mutters, but there’s no heat in it.
