You’ve got to be kidding me!
Eden was about to turn around and cover her face – maybe even run out of the coffee shop without grabbing her $7 drink – but it was too late. The man she had seen looked up fromhisphone screen and made eye contact with her.
His mouth dropped.
“What the fuck,” she squeaked.
There she was, in her velvet leggings and a baggy T-shirt and winter coat, looking into the unforgettable eyes ofNeal.
What the fuck!
“Holy hell.” The man forgot his phone. Eden couldn’t hear her order being called if she cared. “What are the goddamn odds?”
“WHITE MOCHA!”
Eden scurried forward and plucked her drink off the counter. When she turned around, “Neal” was another foot closer.
“Oh, my God,” she said.
He held up a hand and took a step back. “Look, uh…” Was he blushing? Washe,of all people, blushing? He blushed more than Benson, the guy who had fucked her at the same time at the party!Ohmygodohmygodohmygod!
KILL ME!
She wouldn’t mind it – if God struck her dead in the bright, industrial coffee shop between the hair salon and her studio apartment. It was fine. She had lived an okay life. Hell, most would say it was good! And she was flush with cash! Plenty to cover the funeral and settle the last of her debts! Her parents only had to worry about grieving – also paid for by her generous funds.
Because this was mortifying.
“Large Americano!”
Neal gingerly stepped past her and collected his drink. Only then did Eden realize she was blocking half the counter. Moving away made their shoulders bump together, and she yelped in fretful surprise.
While more than one person looked on, Neal nudged her arm. Before Eden knew what was happening, he had casually looped their arms together, and he expertly moved her away from the gathering crowd that waited for their drinks.
“What are you…”
But he wasn’t hauling her out of the coffee shop. Instead, he escorted her to a seat by the wall, where Eden plopped into a leather booth, and he grabbed the chair just around the corner of the table.
“Look like we’re old friends,” he said, projecting a grin to the room that still glanced in their direction. “You’re shocked because you haven’t seen me in forever. We’re going to catch up now.”
“I…”
“Trust me. Otherwise, this looks weird.”
“Thisisweird!” she hissed.
“Well…” He patted the top of his to-go cup with a napkin he had grabbed at the counter. “You’re right about that. But if you get up and run out of here, people will get the wrong idea. And guessing from the way you’re dressed, you live around here.” He wadded up the napkin and placed the ball in the middle of the table. “Hey, this is a coincidence. You okay?”
Eden didn’t know what to do. He was so cool and in control of the situation – so out of sync with how Benson was the day before – that all Eden could do was lean back in her booth and give him her bestwhat?face.
“I thought I recognized you standing there.” He gestured to where they had waited for their drinks. “But, no offense… lots of women in town have long brown hair and a great ass.”
“Excuse me?”
“Mmhmm. No, I definitely recognize you.” He took a generous drink from his Americano.He looks so… normal.Black leather jacket. T-shirt. Dark wash jeans. Without the tropical sun shining overhead, his hair was darker, but it was stillNeal,the man whose battleships she had sunk before he sank into her. “Brim. That’s the name they gave you.”
“I mean.”Pull yourself together.Eden patted her cheeks to help her calm down as she squared her shoulders and crossed her legs…awayfrom him. “Hello to you, too.”
“You don’t seem as freaked out as I would assume.”