That’s all I can think about when I push open the door to the cafe near Kaeli’s workplace. Not forgetting the fact that Noah works there too.
As I’m about to step in, the back of my neck pricks with awareness and I catch a reflection in the glass wall. My brows pinch together in concentration when I try to figure out if they’re looking at me.
I twist my upper body back and find the man walking away as he talks on his phone, mixing in the crowd.
I must’ve imagined it.
I enter the cafe, forgetting about it.Velvet Whiskhas been garnering the locals’ attention. Andwith the way I devour each of their baked goods and coffee, I’m not surprised. Leaving the June sunshine behind me, I scan the pastel walls and patrons sitting around to find my girls.
Kaeli and Aurelia are already seated at a round table, waiting with an order for me. I walk over to them with a smile, elated to see them.
They look up when I pull the chair, and sit down, heaving a sigh because the heat is getting to me, especially when I walked halfway here.
“Hey!!!” Aurelia squeals at my arrival, her fingers dancing as she stretches her hands in front of her.
Though the boss babe, Kaeli, gives a more dignified and composed greeting. Her lips hike up. “Hey, Andie.”
“Hi, you guys!” I reply, grabbing the cold coffee and sipping at it. A sigh leaves my lips at the instant relief. I’m instantly reminded of this morning when Noah gave me a glass of milk when I burned my throat. Then proceeded to devour me exactly like I want to devour the pastry in front of me.
The least he could do, really. After all, it was his fault for looking all sexy and manly first thing in the morning.
“What’s that creepy smile on your face?” Aurelia’s eyes narrow with an accusatory glint.
I blink multiple times, waving away the image of Noah, and look at her. I didn’t realize I was smiling. Clearing my throat, I try to evade her question. “No reason. Just some joke I remembered.”
Cherry on a pancake, I can’t even lie to save my life.
Aurelia’s eyes widen, a realization dawning on her face. Her mouth flaps like a fish before she shouts in the middle of the busy cafe. “YOU HAD SEX!!” she exclaims, pointing her finger at me as she basically shoots out of her chair, and my coffee is spraying on the table in front of me.
The megaphone voice of this woman has the people around us looking at us like we’re the second coming of the devil.
My eyes flare in panic as I lean forward and cover her mouth with my palm, apologizing to anyone who looks at us with my eyes and an embarrassed smile.
Aurelia continues to mumble beneath my palm, not once caring about the consequences.
I continue to cover her mouth, my other hand grabbing the back of her head to get a betterhold. Her eyes gleam with mischief as she slaps my hand to let her go.
“Promise me you’ll speak at a normal decibel?” I give her a pointed look.
She nods her head like she’s on drugs. Luckily, I know it’s her default setting. Aurelia is a free spirit. As evident from her words earlier, her brain and mouth have no goddamn filter.
I love that about her. Life’s too short to care about others. I’m glad most things don’t get to her. But I do hate her for her perceptive eyes and blunt tongue right about now.
Reluctantly, I let her go and slump back in my chair. Pulling a couple of tissues, I dab at the coffee I spilt earlier.
“So who’s the lucky guy?” she asks, wiggling her eyebrows at me, as she leans forward, her chin resting on her palm.
My eyes dart to Kaeli, hoping she’ll have my back. But the traitor stabs me too as she shrugs her shoulder with a knowing smirk on her lips, lazily sipping on her coffee, her leg resting over the other.
“No one!” I lie. “I did not have…sex,” I whisper-hiss between my teeth, hoping she’ll drop it. I want to tell them about Noah.
Keeping us a secret has been eating at me for a long time. And if I could, I would. Noah and I promised we won’t tell anyone about us.
My eyes flicker to Kaeli. I especially can’t say anything because if I tell Kaeli, either Ezra would find out or she’ll have to lie to him for me. I don’t ever wanna put her in a tough spot with my brother.
It would be selfish of me to tell her just so I can get it off my chest.
Aurelia emits a loud, overdramatic gasp, her hand covering her mouth. Confused, I look at Kaeli, and even she wears a bewildered expression.