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The barista shook her head. “We’re all out. Sorry.”
“Crap.” Heaving a sigh, she looked at the three drinks. She’d just have to juggle the third between the other two.
“Here,” Ambrose said, stepping forward. “Let me help you.”
He took two cups off the counter, and she took the third then looked up at him. “Thank you.”
“Where are we going?”
“Just across the street.”
“Okay.” They walked through the shop then out the door before he spoke again. “So what’s this event you’re doing?”
“We’re handing out flyers to raise awareness for the no-freeze shelter. The city council wants to close it. Such bullshit.” She shook her head, letting frustration seep into her voice. “So we’re trying to get people to sign a petition and come to the protest next week.” They crossed the street. “You should sign it. We could use all the help we can get.”
“Sure. Sounds like a good cause to me.”
When she reached her friends, she introduced Ambrose and they figured out whose drink was whose. Then he signed the petition and she couldn’t stop beaming up at him, feeling like a devoted little puppy dog following its owner.
She gave her head a shake. Since when was she so easily impressed? All he did was sign a piece of paper.
“Is that it?” he asked, sticking his hands in his pockets. “Do you . . . need anything else?”
How about answers about why he hadn’t texted her since the club? She wasn’t about to ask that in front of her friends though.
“If you have any old bl
ankets or coats or anything, we could use some donations.”
He nodded. “Sure. I have a bunch of stuff like that.”
When she creased her brow, puzzled, he added, “I’m a bit of a pack rat.” His chuckle sounded nervous. “I could . . . bring them by your place, if you want.” It came out like a question, and she appreciated the fact that he wasn’t being a pushy asshole.
She smiled. “Okay.” This sounded like the makings of a second date. “When are you free?”
“I’m off today.” He hiked a thumb at the coffee shop. “I just had breakfast with my mom. That was my big plan for the day. Are you gonna be done here soon?”
“Umm.” She turned to her friends. “We usually stop in about an hour, when people finish their morning errands and go home for lunch.”
Chloe made a shooing gesture with her hand. “Go ahead. We’ll finish up. We’re fine here.” Mischief twinkled in her eyes.
It wasn’t hard to tell what she was thinking. Everly wasn’t sure whether to encourage her or not. She’d love to go hang out with Ambrose, but she wasn’t the type to duck out of a commitment like this.
“It’s okay,” Ambrose said. “I’m not in a rush. I’ll run home and get the stuff, then you can text me when you’re done. Send me your address too.”
“Okay.” She tried to bite back a grin. Second date with a Dom who, so far, was cool, funny, and could handle her. Not bad for Saturday plans. It beat cleaning anyway.
Shit. Panic hit. Her apartment was a mess!
After Ambrose left, she turned to Chloe. “I gotta go clean!”
Her friend laughed. “He’s hot. If you’re not calling dibs . . .”
“Dibs!”
Max put a hand on his hip. “I was about to call dibs!”
“Pretty sure he doesn’t swing that way, sweetheart.”
