“You work over there?” I pointed out the window. It was an inane question, because he’d told me the coffee shop was across the street from his work, and that was clearly a fire station across the street. But at least I said something.
“Yeah. We make pretty good coffee in the station, but it’s nice to come here for a break sometimes.” Dylan walked toward the counter, and I followed behind. “What can I get for you?” he asked me.
“Coffee with half-and-half.”
“You got it.” Dylan turned to the barista, who looked like he was barely eighteen, and spoke to him for a minute, askinghim about school, before he ordered politely and thanked him sincerely, slipping a few bills into the tip jar.
I was impressed. It was hard for me to be friendly like that. Not because I didn’t want to, but every time I tried to talk too much, it got messed up and then they couldn’t understand my order. But even without comparing him to me, I just liked the way he was so respectful to everyone. I’d noticed that the other day too.
He took our coffees from the counter, as well as a little bag, and led me to a table in the corner. The place was small with about a dozen wood tables, metal stools, and a few industrial-looking accents like the black pipes overheard.
He sat, and I felt my face flush as I took my seat across from him, thinking back to the restaurant. He didn’t seem to notice, thankfully, too focused on taking what appeared to be a warm slice of chocolate chip banana bread out of the bag. He placed it on a napkin in the middle of the table.
“They have the best banana bread here. You have to try it.”
I broke off a small piece, wondering how he seemed so relaxed and normal when I felt anything but.
Then he dropped the casual act and leaned toward me, his intense gaze holding me immobile.
“I need to say a few things quickly in case I get called out. I’m so glad you agreed to meet me, and I don’t want to waste this opportunity.”
I slowly put the banana bread down on a napkin, lest I choke on it if he shocked me, and I had a feeling he would.
“That evening at Nolan’s with you was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I’m not really sure what happened at dinner, but it doesn’t matter. Juls, I think the girl I played pool with is the real you.”
Holy shit. Was that the nicest thing anyone ever said to me in my entire life? It might’ve been. He was ignoring the fuckedup dyspraxic mess and focusing on the few minutes I was at my best. No one ever did that. And he’d called me Juls. I loved it.
“But...why?”
“I’m going to figure you out, Juls. I’m going to learn what it takes to make you smile and laugh like you did at Nolan’s, and I’m going to learn what you need when you have a hard time like at dinner. Is that okay with you?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat, glad I hadn’t attempted that banana bread. I swallowed the pride and fear that made me want to say no.
He smiled at me, and I nearly melted. I would agree to anything he wanted if it made him smile like that.
Straight, white teeth. Strong jaw. Soft, tantalizing lips. His warm brown eyes, kind and void of judgment. How was it even possible?
I wanted so badly to take everything he was offering, but...
7
Dylan
Iwaited patiently, mesmerized by the play of emotions over her face. I watched hope and trepidation, happiness and skepticism, war in the twitch of her lips and the depths of her eyes.
I took a sip of my coffee, breaking eye contact with her. I already knew she didn’t respond well under pressure. I took a bite of the banana bread and nodded to the piece in front of her. “Try it.”
She did, and I did an internal fist pump. She wouldn’t have complied if she was going to turn me down.
“Mmm,” Juliette moaned, driving all the blood in my body south. “That is delicious.”
She held her coffee tightly in both hands and inhaled a long breath, then met my eyes.
“Okay.”
Thank fuck. I slid my hand across the table, palm up, and squeezed her hand when she hesitantly placed it in mine. “Thank you for giving me another chance.”
She shrugged, a coy smile on her beautiful face. She opened her mouth and started to speak, and a jumbled sound stuttered out, sounding something like “E-e-shin.”