Summerfield: Chapter 21

It was nearly 10:00. We chatted and shared a lot that night, including his expertly crafted cappuccinos and leftover cinnamon bread. Maybe it was my imagination, but I thought there was an extra sparkle in his eye when he looked at me. And when we said goodbye, his hug lasted a tiny bit longer than it should have. I guess our exchanged emails were long enough to have formed a type of quick intimacy in person. It helped that we had so much in common.

“Where was he when I was in New York?” I wondered. “Oh, right. He was traveling around the world, discovering all kinds of coffee.”

I hummed and stared absentmindedly while cleaning the mugs and dishes we used. After a few minutes, I began to feel a prickly feeling on my neck. I set a plate down that I was washing and turned around slowly. Josh was standing just inside the kitchen door.

I flinched. “Josh, what are you doing? You scared me! How did you get in?”

“I’m sorry. You must have forgotten to lock up, so I let myself in. I saw your light on and came to see why you were here so late. Then I was just admiring your beauty,” he barely breathed the last line, but I heard it clearly and blushed. He always knew what to say to affect me. I turned around and started washing the dishes again to hide my face.

“So, what are you doing here so late?”

I knew it would make him feel jealous, but I told him the truth anyway. “I was hanging out with Tony. He’s the Italian guy that’s mentoring me. He thinks my business will do well here.”

“I do, too.” Did I detect a competitive spirit in him?

“Thank you.”

There was an awkward silence. “Well, see you tomorrow.”

“Why?” I’m not sure why I asked that or what I really meant.

“I mean…I-I’ll see you around. Good night.”

“Good night,” I echoed. Then he quickly turned to leave and left me alone with my thoughts.