Page 30 of A Coffee Away

“You’re welcome.” Eva shook her hand.

“It was a pleasure meeting you all.” The author looked at us four. “It feels like I already know you. Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll read about yourselves in one of my novels.”

“Oh my God. That would be awesome,” her friend said.

We all laughed as she waved goodbye, her friend by her side.

“Well, wouldn’t that be interesting?” Esteban took off his apron.

We all chuckled and grabbed some beers. It was eleven, but the weather was hot and the sun relentless.

“So…” Steph waited in silence.

I was about to say something when Esteban grabbed my hand over the table.

“So if Robbie doesn’t oppose, I’d like to go out with him.” He gestured toward the girls. “With your blessing, of course.”

I squeezed his hand. My mind couldn’t wrap around the idea that this man wanted to go out with me. “You want to go out with me?” I couldn’t hide my smile.

Esteban sighed, then kissed my hand. “Ever since I saw you on that beach, I’ve been dying to ask you out. And I did, but then everything went to shit with your parents, and, well, the rest is history. I couldn’t find the courage, but I’m done hiding it. I like you. I want us to spend time together as a couple.”

My heart thumped wildly. “Of course I’ll go out with you. I’ve been waiting forever for you to ask me.”

Esteban cupped my cheek, and I leaned into him. Then the giggles started.

“They’re so dreamy,” Steph said as Eva watched us intently.

“Well, you can skip the dating part since you’re already living together,” Eva said, coaxing a laugh from Esteban.

He shrugged. “We’ll take it as slow as needed. I want Robbie to be happy.”

He raised his beer and held it toward me. “To new beginnings.”

I clinked mine with his. “To new beginnings.”

“So.” Esteban grabbed my hand as we walked down the beach where we met.

Happiness swelled inside me, and I dragged him closer to the water, then kicked some his way. “So.”

He laughed and did the same to me. “Are you sure you want to date this old man?” He raised an eyebrow.

I bumped him with my shoulder. “It’s only six years. You’re not that old.”

He pulled me to him, our chests touching. “So you’ll date me?”

I stood on my tiptoes and gave him a peck on the lips. “Yes. I’ll date you, old man.”

“Old man, huh?” He covered my neck with his hand, then moved it to my hair and pulled enough to keep me in place. He gave me a mind-blowing kiss.

I gasped when he let go, my breathing shallow. God, he was intense.

Esteban took my hand again and kissed it. “Let’s go home.”

Chapter 7: Finding My Art

Robbie

One week together, and things were moving slowly. Too slowly if you asked me.