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Chapter 4
Grayson
Part of me is still reeling over the conversation with Moon Lily a few evenings ago. She didn’t seem like a flaky, woo woo hippie. We connected on a real level and it’s intriguing. Max and I haven’t returned to her coffee shop. One time was enough. But she’s got a lot of customers so she must be doing something right.
My mind keeps going back to that evening. She looked so feminine and curvy in her lounge clothes. Without the incense and bad tea, I could smell her warm cinnamon scent. Just remembering it now has me heating up.
Coincidentally, I start coming up with reasons why I should see her again. If I’m going to be renovating the building for a while, I should get along with the current renters. Moon Lily is a member of the local business community, and I want to have a good relationship with them. Really, it’d be irresponsible to keep this distance between us. But how to bridge that distance?
I remember seeing a flyer for the Valentine’s Day Masquerade for charity, hosted by the local law office. That might be a good place for us to go. An event. Lots of people. Less pressure. And it’s for charity, right?
Mind made up, I take a break from my current project and rinse off the dust in the bathroom sink. Glancing in the mirror, I run my hands through my hair, trying to comb it back a little. Probably should have shaved—I’ve got two days of 5 o’clock shadow.
It’s not like I’m trying to impress her. My work clothes—an old band shirt and an aged pair of jeans—will have to be fine. She’s still a hippie. A gorgeous, sexy as sin, temptation in a luscious body hippie. I just want to have a good business relationship.
Ready as I’ll ever be, and braced for noxious clouds of patchouli, I enter Koffee Karma. I stop right inside the doorway, shocked. It doesn’t smell like incense has been burning non-stop for three days. It smells like freshly brewed coffee and cinnamon rolls. The cases near the register, which last time were empty of anything looking remotely edible, are now full of freshly baked pastries.
Moon Lily stands behind the counter, helping a customer. She’s wearing some kind of lacy red shirt that looks like it's glued on her body. I step forward involuntarily, like I’m a bull and she’s waving a red flag.
“Is there anything else you need from me for the fundraiser this weekend?” her customer asks.
“Tootsie, I got this. Don’t worry. I’ll be there on time, coffee and pastries ready to go. Right, Maria?” Moon Lily calls back to the kitchen, still grinning at her friend.
“Si, si. We’ll have everything ready,” a soft voice calls from the kitchen area.
Her friend, Tootsie, sighs with relief. “Thanks Lily. You don’t know how much I appreciate this. I’ll see you then, okay? I’ve still got a million things to do, but let’s get together afterward.”
Moon Lily shoos her out the door and notices me for the first time. I cock an eyebrow at her. “Just Lily? Not Moon Lily?” I inquire.
She shrugs, but doesn’t answer my question. “What can I get for you, Grayson? Would you like some more specialty tea?” The smile that accompanies her question seems innocent, but I’m starting to know her better. I detect a hint of mischievousness that makes me want to hop over the counter and see if I can remove her top with my teeth.
“Actually, I came for a plain cup of coffee and to see if you would come with me to the masquerade next week.” I thought it was a pretty good segue until I see the absolute shock in her eyes.
“Why?” she asks baldly.
“Well, I didn’t get to try your coffee last time I was here. And I’d like to get to know you better.”
“Let me get you that coffee.” She turns away, making my coffee and fiddling with the machines for what seems like an extra long time. “Room for milk?” she calls over her shoulder.
“Yes, please.”
She returns a moment later, setting the cup on the counter. I start to pull my wallet out, but she waves her hand to stop me. “On the house.”
“Thank you for the invitation.” She sounds uber composed. “But I already have a date for the event.”
My chest sinks in disappointment, but I tell myself it’s the lack of caffeine. “Well, maybe I’ll see you there.”
She bites her lush bottom lip consideringly and then offers a small smile. “Maybe.”
???
The night of the masquerade arrives. Max has decided to join me. We’re both wearing tuxes and simple black masks. We arrive at the hotel and I’m pleasantly surprised at the quality of the event considering Fairview isn’t some bustling metropolis. That’s part of the charm though, and why I bought the building on Vincent Street in the first place.
Interestingly, a masquerade doesn’t facilitate quality networking considering everyone is wearing a mask. Regardless, I find myself searching for a shapely woman with dark hair and caramel skin. After a half hour of mingling, I finally spot her. She’s at the bar in a sinfully red, off-the-shoulder evening gown with a black lace mask. It isn’t until I get closer that I notice she’s sipping a cocktail by herself, shoulders slumped in disappointment.
“Another drink for the lady. And I’ll have a straight bourbon.” The bartender starts mixing our drinks.
“Hello, Grayson.” She greets me with a weary sigh, still staring into her drink.
