AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Best service in town, folks,” Suki announces to anyone in the vicinity who is listening.
I laugh and shake my head.
“We need to hire her for our PR department,” Ashley suggests, leaning against the counter next to me.
“We couldn’t afford her,” I jest.
I start grinding the dark roasted beans for Suki’s coffee when the bells on the front door jingle, announcing the arrival of new customers. Ashley whistles softly.
“I’m so glad most of the hockey team drinks coffee. Hello, handsome …” She draws out the last two words beneath her breath.
I glance over my shoulder to see Sam entering with two other guys, who I assume are some of his teammates. They have the same broad shoulders and confident air about them.
“They’re all yours,” I quip, focusing on assembling the coffee in front of me.
Her eyes narrow. “You’re not interested?”
“Nope.”
“Everyone’s interested in them.”
“Well, I guess I’m not like everyone else.”
“Do we need to check your eyesight?”
I giggle and push her away when she waves her hand in front of my face.
“I thought you painted and could appreciate beautiful things.”
“Oh, I appreciate beauty all right. It’s the cocky attitude that accompanies the beauty that turns me off,” I say.
“Sam Anderson can be cocky with me anytime,” she murmurs in a sultry tone.
I roll my eyes and place a lid on Suki’s coffee. “You’re the reason those guys think they’re God’s gift to all women.” I grab a glass of water for myself and a straw. “I’m going to take ten.”
Ashley nods to acknowledge me, but I can tell her focus is on the guys.
I walk around the counter and to Suki’s table, ignoring Sam and his friends altogether as they approach the front to order.
“Hey,” I say breathlessly, plopping down in the seat across from her.
I set her iced coffee on the table, and she reaches for it.
“You are a goddess, my friend.”
I bat my eyelashes while she takes a drink.
She swallows and sighs. “I needed that.”
“What, the caffeine?”
“The caffeine, the sugar …” She looks across the room, and her forehead furrows. “Why is that hot guy at the counter looking over here? Do you know him or something?”
I follow her eyes to see Sam looking in our direction. Ashley says something to him, pulling his attention away. He laughs, his mouth morphing into that arrogant smirk he always wears. Especially when a woman is around.
I’m irritated to see how gorgeous he still is. I’m even angrier at myself for noticing. I haven’t seen him again since our run-in outside of the arena at the end of last semester. It’s easy to forget how handsome he is until he’s standing in the same room as me. The light coming through the windows plays with the natural blond highlights in his tousled hair and catches my eye. The T-shirt and shorts he’s wearing are ordinary, but the way they hang from his muscular frame and show glimpses of his cut thighs are anything but common. We make brief eye contact before I look away.
“Nope, don’t know him.”
