Page 19 of Forever Fickle

That was it.

Walking back over to the next room where the kitchenette was, she hesitated in the doorway, seeing him slumped down in a chair, stirring his coffee… and her cup sat opposite of him.

He’d even put one of the donuts on a paper plate for her – just in case.

Jace glanced up and sat upright immediately as Karen pulled out her chair, taking a seat. Avoiding his eyes, she picked up the glass dispenser that held the sugar before reaching for the pink ceramic cow that held the heavy cream.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “I love the maple glazed donuts.”

“They are pretty spectacular,” Jace admitted quietly. “I snuck a maple one first and then grabbed the strawberry frosted one.”

“They aren’t very strawberry-ish…” she warned, glancing at him. “If you like sweets and there is an apple fritter left? Swap it out before Armadillo gets here.”

“The fritters are good?”

“The lady that owns the donut shop in town uses cinnamon apples in her recipe, so they practically melt in your mouth.”

His chair scraped back immediately as he moved to open the microwave door to get into the donut box. She couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped her, nor the flush of happiness in her chest at his unfettered smile of joy.

They were having an actual conversation that was somewhat civil between them…if only things would stay that way this week,she mused quietly, poking a finger at her donut to see if it was edible or stale.

“I’ll get some fresh ones tomorrow,” she volunteered politely.

“Do you come in every morning early?”

“Yes. I like to have things ready to go when we open,” she shrugged, taking a bite of her donut before washing it down with a sip of her coffee – and wincing.

“Ohhh that’s strong stuff.”

“Sorry. Habit. I like my coffee really strong.”

“You must… that’s even a bit much for me.”

“Do you want me to make a different pot?” he offered immediately, looking slightly alarmed, as he pointed over his shoulder. “I don’t mind.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Look,” Jace began softly, watching her as he held his cup of coffee in his hands where it rested on the table. “I think we started out on the wrong foot and…”

“This is not necessary,” Karen interrupted quickly, flashing a nervous smile at him, not wanting to hear the rest of what he said. If he turned out to be a nice, decent guy, she was going to have a tough time saying goodbye, and it was easier to be enemies.

No one had ever bothered her this much and none of this was ‘real life’… she was a teacher, not a Flyboys employee. He was a pilot stationed somewhere else and not some normal guy in town. This couldn’t go anywhere and the faster either of them realized it, the better off things would be.

“It might not be necessary, but it still doesn’t mean it can’t be said,” Jace replied, frowning. “I would like to start over again and try to get along while I’m here. I think I rubbed you the wrong…”

“You didn’t rub me or do anything,” Karen began again, cutting him off, and then realized what she’d said. Her cheeks grew hot as she met his eyes and saw his smile widen.

“… But I could,” he whispered in a voice that she would never,everforget.

Karen shot to her feet, nearly upsetting the table and causing her coffee to splash over the lip of her mug. Jace got up nearly as quickly, holding her gaze and watching her.

“I like you…” he breathed.

“No,” she bit out immediately. “I’m not sure I like you.”

“You aren’t giving me a chance.”

“You won’t be here long enough to get one,” she quipped easily.

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