You Mocha Me Crazy (Coffee Loft: Fall Collection)

4. Bradley

Chapter four

Bradley

What a morning. I knew I’d run into Aurora again eventually. Or at least I’d hoped I would. Piney Brook is a small town, after all. I didn’t expect it to be at a business meeting with her father. Mr. Maxwell had failed to mention who his daughter was at our meeting last week, and Reid hadn’t given me a name for the owner either. Though, come to think of it, I should have guessed. Maxwell isn’t the most common last name in town.

I grin remembering how flustered she was when she first entered the Coffee Loft. Her dark hair gleaming in the sunshine just like I remembered it. She took my breath away. If I believed in love at first sight . . . well, I guess it wouldn’t be that since I knew her in elementary school.

She’s always been quirky, and super smart. I had to stifle my laugh during the meeting, remembering how Reid had described her last week. Seeing her ruffled this morning makes me wonder if she’s still the same fiery girl I was fascinated by as a kid. I wonder if she’s ever thought of me over the years. I know I’ve been curious about her.

I had a serious crush on Aurora back in grade school. She sat right in front of me in class, her dark hair pulled back in a unique style every day, it seemed. She’d captivated me then, and if this morning is anything to go by, she’s got my attention again.

My phone rings, and I hit the answer button on my truck’s console. Bluetooth connection for the win. “Hello?”

“Hey, Bradley.” Allen’s voice rings out in the cab. “How’d the meeting go?”

Allen rarely joined for onsite meetings anymore, choosing to let Tim and me handle those.

“It went well. I think these clients will be easy to partner with.” Although being so close to Aurora may not be as easy. I’m already longing for more time with her, to get to know the woman she’s become. I suppose that’s why I lost control of my mouth and invited her to dinner tonight. In front of her father and business partner. Not professional in the slightest, but the words were out before my brain could step in and put a stop to the madness.

“That’s good news. We could definitely use a great contract to end the year. Did anything come up that might be a problem? Supplies or anything?”

My mind goes back to Aurora. Do I tell Allen I asked her out in the middle of a meeting? I probably should, but unlike before, my mouth’s glued shut.

She was surprised to see me, but to be fair, I was surprised to see her as well. I was just better at hiding it. The silence carries on a bit too long, so I take a breath and answer. “No, sir. I think this project will be smooth sailing. I’ve got the supply list loaded. Everything seems to be in stock.”

“Good. Let me know when everything’s ready to go and you’re starting the demo.”

“Will do,” I reply. “Reid’s given me the official drawings, so I’ll send everything in to get the permits rolling and complete the supply order.”

“Sounds good. Listen, I’ve got to run. Cindy’s motioning for me. See you later.”

After saying goodbye, and hanging up the phone, I let my mind wander back to Aurora. She was always a go-getter, I shouldn’t be surprised she owns a shop in town. In sixth grade, our teacher had each of us choose a business we’d like to run. We had to draw what it looked like and figure out what our products would be. I chose woodworking. I can’t remember what Aurora picked, but I doubt it was a coffee shop.

She was smart, driven, and determined to make her way in the world. Even when the other girls teased her when they caught me staring at her. My mom said they were just jealous, so I ignored them. Mostly.

Until the day I saw Aurora wiping the tears from her eyes as she walked off the playground. I marched right up to Lauren and Miley and told them to knock it off. Of course it didn’t do any good, but I had to try. They’d hurt my girl’s feelings. Even if she wasn’t really mine, I couldn’t just let it go.

I rub a hand over my heart. I always considered her the one that got away, which is silly. We were kids, just out of the cooties stage. What did we know back then?

Though, now . . . who knows? Maybe now’s my chance.

At least, I hope so.

Dinner tonight can’t come soon enough.

At four, I call it a day and head home. I’m still in disbelief that she said yes to going out to dinner with me. I’m really looking forward to getting to know her again tonight, but I’m also nervous. We’ve both grown and changed over the years.

What if she doesn’t like the guy I’ve become? I didn’t go to college and get a four-year degree. I don’t spend my days in a fancy office or drive a fancy car. My house isn’t mine, and I own more jeans and steel-toed boots than one man probably should.

I shake my arms and roll my head on my shoulders. The nerves are getting to me. I haven’t had pre-date jitters in years. Maybe because no one has ever captivated me quite like her.

Aurora Maxwell, my first crush. I compared all the other girls to her, even after we moved to Lost Creek. I will never understand why we had to move forty-five minutes away. No amount of pleading or barricading myself in my room could convince my parents to stay in Piney Brook.

The first time I realized Aurora was special, we were in science class. Mr. Rupert was droning on about the planets. Listing them all off one by one. When he got to Uranus, one of the other boys snickered. Aurora had shot him a dirty look before promptly shouting, “Ur-uh-nus not Ur-ay-ness.”

While everyone else in the class laughed and made jokes, one thought rolled around in my head on repeat—beauty and brains. From that day on, Aurora Maxwell became someone I kept an eye on.

What are the odds that she’d be single—information her dad happily shared this morning waiting for her to show up for our meeting.

It’s possible we will have dinner and the sparks I felt when we shook hands aren’t there. I’ve built her up in my head for so long, I may not mesh well with the woman she’s become.

Now that I’m pushing thirty, dating for the sake of dating seems like a waste of time. I would like a family of my own, and a wife to share my dreams with. Would she be interested in those things, too?

I pull into the driveway of my duplex and hop out of the truck. The small one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment isn’t the most elegant of homes, but it will do until I decide on a house to buy and make my own. I haven’t found the right one yet.

I chuckle. The right woman, or the right house.

I toe off my boots at the door and make my way inside and through to my room. I shuck off my dirty clothes and hop into the shower. A half hour later, I’m standing in front of a mirror in a pair of gray slacks and a button up, wondering if this is dressy enough, or too dressy, for a sort-of first date.

I should have stayed behind and solidified our plans. Now, I’m second-guessing myself.

Why am I so nervous?

I smooth gel into my hair one last time, wash my hands, and grab my watch off the nightstand. I make my way down the hallway and into the living room. “Hey, Bagel,” I say, scratching my cream, white, and brown cat on the head. “Did you have a nice day?” Bagel purrs and rubs his head against my slacks. I check his dish to make sure he has enough water, and give him a scoop of kibble. “I’ll be back later,” I say, wiping at the cat hair on my legs.

I take a deep breath and force myself to walk out the front door. Glancing at my watch, I realize I’ve got just enough time to stop by the little florist shop, Blooming Joy, near the Coffee Loft before meeting Aurora.

I stop on the front porch patting my pockets, mentally going over everything I need. A tip the school guidance counselor gave me when I was in trouble for forgetting to turn in my homework one too many times.

Nice outfit, check.

Phone, check.

Wallet, check.

Keys, check.

Breath mints, check.

I glance down at my feet . . . shoes . . . I need shoes.

I laugh and step back inside. Who forgets to put shoes on? Me, apparently.

Once I’ve slid into the nice pair of boots I reserve for meetings, church, and the occasional night out, I step back onto the porch, closing and locking the door behind me. “It’s just dinner with an old friend,” I say out loud to calm my nerves.

Truth is, in my heart, it feels like a lot more. It feels like everything hinges on this one moment in time.