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Chapter Sixteen
It was obvious by ten in the morning it was going to be another busy day and Mindy didn’t mind it one bit. Already, she’d run out of muffins and there were second and third batches of them in the oven. The air smelled wonderful, the aroma of the baking wafting out the door bringing even more customers inside.
When the bell over the door dinged, she didn’t bother looking up. Her lips curved at hearing a woman telling her friend how hard it was to pick a favorite.
“Good morning, ladies,” Mindy said, smiling. Upon noting they both studied the baked items, she added, “How about I start you with a beverage while you decide what you want?”
It was then she caught sight of Eric. In full uniform, he stood just inside the door. A younger woman was asking him directions, her eyes wandering over him when he pointed out directions on a map she’d produced.
The woman didn’t need directions. Any moment now, she’d give him her number or come up with some sort of ploy to get more of his time. Seeming to sense her regard, he looked toward the counter and winked. The man knew what the woman was doing.
Upon noticing what he did, the young woman said something and he replied. Unfortunately, Mindy couldn’t attempt at lip reading because the two women had finally decided to buy one of each muffin. She packaged up the golden raisin, triple chocolate, banana nut and blueberry muffins in a pastry box.
The women scurried to a table with their muffins and Mindy’s employee followed them with their lattes.
She had a hard time taking orders with Eric there. After not coming in to the coffee shop for days, he’d made an appearance only after they’d made love. If he was going to let her know he was leaving, she wasn’t sure it would be possible to keep from crying. It was best to stop him before he did.
“Hey, beautiful,” he greeted her while placing his travel mug on the counter. “I was hoping to grab you for a few minutes, but it looks as if you’re slammed today.”
Heat surfaced on her cheeks. “Yes, it’s been busy since yesterday. It will probably continue through the weekend.” Mindy turned around to pour his coffee.
“Can I take you out for dinner then?”
At least he was being decent enough to tell her in person. Mindy released a shaky breath. “Dinner sounds great. Where?”
He shrugged. “How about if I pick you up at six? We can decide then.”
There were only two restaurants in Laurel Creek, three if you counted Shooters. Which she didn’t.
She was pretty sure Victoria’s was out of the question. It would be hard enough to be told a relationship is over without it being around people she was good friends with. Mindy realized he waited for a response.
“We can choose then,” she replied with a smile. “See you at six.
Once he walked out, the young woman who’d been flirting with him walked up and looked up at the menu. “I’ll take a banana nut and a tall coffee, black, no sugar or creamer,” she rattled off. “The policeman said he was your boyfriend.”
Mindy was caught off guard. “Umm-yes.”
The woman looked down her nose at Mindy and seemed to find her lacking. “Impressive.”
What the hell did that mean? Mindy frowned at the woman. “What is it you find impressive?”
Mindy’s helper slid her a glance and rang up the woman’s order while Mindy narrowed her eyes at the woman.
The annoying woman gave her a one-shoulder shrug. “Just that he’s very attractive and you…well you didn’t seem overly friendly to him. If he were my…”
“But he isn’t,” Mindy interrupted and turned away to an older couple. Thank God for them. Otherwise, she would have said something horrible. Mindy decided they’d get a free pastry for their presence alone.
At six o’clockthat night, Eric was at Mindy’s door. She’d decided they’d not have dinner out. If the man was going to break up with her, it was best not to have it done in a public place.
“Please, come in,” she said as she stepped back to allow him room. Eric gave her a puzzling look for a moment then walked inside.
When she motioned for him to sit, he removed his jacket. “Is something wrong?”
Mindy almost laughed out loud. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather we talk here before going anywhere. You didn’t make reservations did you?”
He shook his head. “Nope. Just planned to go to Victoria’s.”
Just as she thought. A public dumping. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
