Also, his brother would knock him to the ground if I showed the slightest sign of discomfort, so there’s that.
Reed’s even more disgruntled by the third wheel showing up to our table than he was the mention of the small business association. The smiles he was flashing at me have dried up, replaced by a world-class frown aimed at his brother. Nathan, of course, takes it in stride.
“Did I walk in on a hot date?” he asks.
“Yes.” Reed shoots him the kind of death glare that has wanna-be complainers changing their tune in the coffee shop. I’ve seen more than one man decide that, actually, he didn’t have a problem with his order after asking to see the manager and Reed walked out.
“Shouldn’tyoube on a date right now?” I tease. The medic/firefighter seems like he’d be a great catch—he’s easygoing and fun, and extroverted enough to make anything a mini party. He’s also extremely cute, with dark hair and eyes like Reed’s, an impressive physique, and colorful tattoos running down both arms.
Personally, I prefer bearded gargoyles, but I’m sure there’s someone out there for Nathan.
His expression brightens. “I’m open to any and all set-ups.”
I’ve struggled to make new friends since Brianna moved away. Lucy’s out of the question, obviously. I’d introduce him to Cassie, but I’m afraid that would put me on Ada and Isabel’s bad side, as hard as they’re pushing for her to meet Luke. I don’t want to know what those women would do to seek revenge for tampering with their matchmaking plans.
“I have this delightful friend named Fran,” I tell him.
Reed barks a laugh, making something pleasant twist in my stomach. I’ve heard him laugh so rarely, I feel like I’ve won a special prize. I need more of these laugh-trophies. I want to line my shelves with them.
“I couldn’t handle a woman like Fran,” Nathan says. “She’s hot sauce, and I’m just bland mayonnaise.”
The forty-year age gap might contribute, too, but he’s too sweet to mention it.
“I don’t think anybody’s ever called you bland.”
He beams. “That’s how I want you to talk me up to your friends.Not bland.”
“Don’t you have somewhere else to be?” Reed asks.
Nathan squeezes me closer, his hand still on my shoulder, hishead tilting to rest against mine. “And miss out on this time with my future sister-in-law?”
Reed growls. He legitimately makes the growly sound in the back of his throat that animals do when they’re giving you one last warning before they go feral. I consider myself a feminist and believe in equal rights. But that protective, possessive sound does something visceral to me. My insides turn into honey, heat radiating through me like a furnace cranked to high. Or maybe that was Nathan calling me his future sister-in-law. Probably both tangled up at once. Either way, I’m a mess over it.
Nathan smirks in the face of danger. “Like shooting fish in a barrel. I’d better leave while I’m ahead.”
“While you stillhavea head,” Reed mutters.
Nathan slides out of the booth, waving in a flourish before taking off. Amy comes by to take our plates and leave our check. Reed gives her his card before I can open my purse, meeting my frown with one of his own. A soft one, but I get the message.
“It sure has been fun to see Perk Me Up at the concerts in the park,” she tells us, tapping his card on a handheld reader. “It’s great to see the coffee shop getting involved in more community events.”
I’ll just go ahead and add Amy and Jodi Ellison to my mental tally of Sunshine Small Business Society members.
“That’s all Rose.” Reed’s gaze warms.
“Then you do good work. The pair of you. You’ve revitalized that business, and as someone who knows from experience, that’s not an easy thing. Well done.” She knocks on the tabletop before walking away.
On the drive home, all I can think about is changing into something with a forgiving waistband. I’m slightly overstuffed from dinner, and tired from an afternoon in the sun at the riverside. But I’ve had the best day. It’d be even better if we ended it cuddled on the couch watching a movie. I’m about to suggest it when Reed breaks the silence.
“Do you ever think of finding a better place to work?” he asks.
I still, the warm cozies that had been swirling inside me fluttering to a halt. “What do you mean?”
“You’re the one Amy was praising, Rose. You come up with our menus. You’ve been behind all the big changes in the shop. You’re the only reason we’re doing the concert series. It’s all you.” He extends then flexes his fingers on the steering wheel. “I don’t understand why you’re working there in the first place. Don’t you ever think you’re wasting your talents just serving coffee?”
Oh. I’ve been swimming in my parents’ criticism for so long, I’m like that frog in the pot of soup that keeps getting hotter and hotter. But when the criticism comes from Reed? My whole body scalds at once.
He keeps turning to me, waiting for a response, but I don’t say anything. I’m right on the edge of crying, and if I make any sudden movements, I’ll fall.