You Mocha Me Crazy (Coffee Loft: Fall Collection)

14. Bradley

Chapter fourteen

Bradley

“I’d like that.” Aurora’s soft reply feels like an answer to a prayer.

I can’t contain my smile. “When are you free?”

She laughs. “I’m off the rest of the day, and then I don’t know. We’ve been looking to hire a few more people, but . . .”

I nod. “Tonight’s perfect. Can I plan to pick you up at six?” I’m already mentally scanning my closet to make sure the one pair of slacks I own is clean. If not, I’ll go out and buy another pair.

“Six is good. What should I wear?” I can see she’s remembering our first date disaster.

“Whatever you’ll feel most comfortable in. I’d like to take you to Surfside, if that’s okay.” She nods. “Great, I’ll be back to pick you up in . . .” I glance at my watch. “Four hours.”

She giggles, and I tuck the sound away in my heart. “See you then.”

I lean in for a side hug at the same time she goes in for a hug and I end up smacking my head against hers. “Oh my gosh, I am so sorry.”

She laughs. “That wasn’t awkward at all.”

Thankfully, the tension’s broken and we are both laughing it out. “I’ll be back,” I say, holding out my hand.

She takes it and shakes. “It’s a deal.” Her laughter follows me all the way out her front door.

I’m so excited. The anticipation is greater than it had been when I’d asked her out the first time.

Once I’m back at the office, I dial my mom.

“Bradley, how did she like the mugs?” Mom’s friend helped me with the custom order. She runs a printing shop and did the rush order as a favor.

“She loved them. Thank you for your help.”

“I’m so glad,” Mom says. “So, does that mean you’re back on speaking terms?”

I take a breath to calm the butterflies that are trying to beat their way from my heart through my throat. “We are. In fact, she agreed to go on a date with me. Tonight.” I pull the phone from my ear as Mom’s shriek echoes through the office. “I’m glad you’re excited,” I say, my voice quivering with laughter.

“I’m just thrilled you actually like someone enough to pursue them. It’s been a while.”

After talking through my date plans and getting Mom’s approval, she puts Dad on the phone.

“Mom tells me you’ve got a date with Aurora. Isn’t that the girl you liked when you were a kid?” He sounds happy. Not at all like he’s sounded the last few times we spoke.

“I do, and yeah.”

“I’m glad it worked out. I was afraid when you moved back to Piney Brook, you’d get your heart broken again.”

Wait, what? “What do you mean?”

“When we moved, I was pretty sure you’d never forgive us. Your main reason for wanting to stay in Piney Brook was Aurora, even if you didn’t say exactly those words. Mom and I tried to figure out how to stay in Piney Brook, but money was tight, and I’d taken a new job in Lost Creek. We couldn’t afford the commute back then. So, we had no choice but to move.”

My mouth snaps shut. “I had no idea . . . You never said a word.”

He clears his throat. “No father wants to admit he’s a failure.”

My eyes pinch closed in an attempt to stave off the tears. “Dad, you were never a failure. It ended up fine.”

He sighs. “Yeah, but you built her up so much in your mind over the years that when you said you were planning to move back to Piney Brook, all I could think was you’d get there, and Aurora’d be married or something and you’d be upset you never got a chance to pursue her.”

Finally, it clicks. “Is that why you pushed so hard for me to move to Colorado with you?”

Dad’s quiet for a few minutes. “Well, it’s not the only reason, but it’s a big one. I wanted you to know you’d have a place here with us . . . you know, in case things weren't what you expected.”

I shake my head. Of all the things I’ve thought over the years, none of these things were ever on my radar. “Thanks for sharing, Dad.”

“You bet. Hope your date goes well. Call your Mom and let her know, okay?”

“Yes, sir. I love you, Dad.”

“Love you, too,” he says, then hangs up the phone.

I sit in the silence of my office and process what he’d just shared. I’d known he got a new job, but I hadn’t realized we were under such financial strain. Though, thinking back, I can see the signs. How could I have been so selfish? I guess kids really are blind to their parents’ struggles.

“Hey, boss, we’re done. The trim’s painted, and everything seems to be in order. Need anything else before we head out for the day?” Hudson stands in the doorway of the little room I’ve been using as a temporary office.

“Everything’s cleaned up?”

He nods. “Everything but your junk,” he says, motioning around the room. “Want us to help you toss it in a box?”

I shake my head. “Nah, I’ve got it. Go and enjoy your night.”

He grins. “Thanks!”

“Oh, and Hudson,” I call as he walks away. “Stay out of trouble.”

“Got it, boss.”

I pull into Aurora’s driveway at 5:55, and grab the bouquet I picked up from Blooming Joy. Turns out Joy, the owner, is a sucker for a good romance story. She gave me a huge discount on today’s order, and even told her assistant I’m becoming her best customer.

I make my way up her porch steps and notice the second step is loose—I’ll have to get that fixed up for her. I’d hate to have her fall and get hurt. I lift my hand to knock on the door, but it swings open and is replaced by the most gorgeous face I’ve ever seen.

“Sorry,” I say, jumping back and passing the flowers to her. “I meant to knock on the door.”

Her eyes are wide in surprise. “I was just stepping out to wait for you on the porch.” She brings the pink roses to her nose and inhales. “These are pretty, thank you.”

“I hope they’re okay. Joy, the florist, said roses were the way to go since I don’t know what your favorite flowers are yet.” I rock back on my heels, nerves making it nearly impossible to stand still.

“They’re beautiful. I’ll put them in water if we have a minute?”

“We do,” I say, following her inside to the kitchen. “Why were you coming to the porch to wait?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. Habit I guess. I was engaged once, and he didn’t like to have to come up to the door. So I’d wait outside and get in the car when he pulled up.”

She was engaged? To a schmuck by the sounds of it. “You don’t have to do that. I like coming to the door for you.”

“Oh,” she says, placing the roses in a tall crystal vase. “Okay.”

Her cheeks are pink, just like the roses. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

“It’s okay,” she says, running her hands along her skirt and smoothing it out.

The cream and gold blouse she’s wearing beautifully complements the deep burgundy of her skirt. She’s beautiful in her jeans and Coffee Loft shirt, but dressed up, she’s downright stunning.

“I seem to get flustered easily around you.”

I smile. “I know the feeling. You look beautiful, by the way. Are you ready to go?”

She nods, and I follow her to the front door. “After you,” I say once she’s locked her front door. I take her hand in mine and help her down the steps and to the truck. Opening the car door, I step back and offer her a hand up. Once she’s settled, I move to the driver’s side and hop in.

“Is Surfside still okay, or should we get pizza again?” I’d love to treat her to something fancier than a slice of arcade pizza, but she’s in control here, and I want her to know it.

“Surfside’s perfect. I’m dressed for it this time.” She lays her hands gently in her lap.

“All right,” I say, backing out of her driveway. “Surfside it is.”