You Mocha Me Crazy (Coffee Loft: Fall Collection)

15. Aurora

Chapter fifteen

Aurora

Surfside is an upscale restaurant . . . well, upscale for Northwest Arkansas, that is. The beautiful brick building is set back from the road on a small pond. There’s a covered patio along the side with round tables for seating to allow for beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Bradley walks me to the front and pulls open the glass door. I step inside and immediately inhale the aroma of garlic and butter. My stomach grumbles.

“Can I help you?” the hostess asks.

“Table for two. The reservation’s under Jameson.” Bradley slides his hand over mine, and the zing I feel when we touch shoots straight to my heart.

The hostess grabs two menus and asks us to follow her through the elegant dining room. Deep blues and soft whites make up most of the decor. Some coral pieces add a touch of color to the dining room. The tables are covered in white linen, with vibrant sea-themed centerpieces, each a bit different from the next, as though they were handmade.

“Here we are,” she says, pulling out my chair and placing a menu on the table. “Your server will be right with you.”

Once we are both seated in the high-back chairs, I take a moment to soak it in. I’m on a date with a man who really likes me, at a restaurant I’d never come to alone. I consider pinching my leg, but decide against it. If this is a dream, don’t wake me up!

“Good evening. I’ll be your server tonight. My name’s Ian. Can I offer you a taste of our house wine?” He holds out a bottle wrapped in a crisp white napkin.

Bradley waits to answer, giving me time to decide. “No, thanks,” I reply. “I’ll stick with water, please.”

“The same,” Bradley says. “But can we get an order of your shrimp cocktail as an appetizer?”

“Sure thing,” Ian says, stepping away from the table to go put our order in and bring our drinks.

“I hope you like shrimp cocktail. It was one of my favorite things to order as a kid when we went to fancy restaurants.” He grins like the boy I remember from elementary school. How could I have ever thought he was a bully?

“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “I’ve never had it. My parents don’t like seafood, so we rarely went anywhere with it on the menu.”

“Oh. Well, here’s to trying something new,” Bradley says, reaching over and lacing his fingers through mine on the tabletop. “Do you know what you’d like to eat?”

We discuss our options; him deciding on the surf and turf, and me the grilled salmon. Conversation flows, only stopping when Ian comes by with our food or refills of water.

“That was delicious,” I say, patting my stomach. “I don’t know that I’ve ever had lemon herb orzo before. It was tasty.”

Bradley grins and scoots his chair back from the table a bit. “And you liked the shrimp cocktail, too. Seems it was a good night for new things.” He winks.

“It would seem so.” I’m too busy staring into his dark chocolate eyes to notice someone step close to the table.

“Well, look who it is. Thumper and Bambi. I swear, you two are too much.” Miley laughs loudly. “Aren’t they adorable, Martin?”

Martin, Miley’s husband, I assume, barely spares us a glance, clearly uncomfortable with his wife’s volume.

“I’m surprised you two got a table. This restaurant usually attracts a . . . different crowd.”

I feel my face turning beet red. She always knew just what to say to make me feel unwelcome.

“Darling don’t be nasty. You’re drawing a crowd. Besides, I met you while you were employed at a convenience store—I hardly think that qualifies you to cast judgment on others. Enjoy your evening.” Martin grabs her firmly by the elbow and pulls her away from our table.

“What just happened?” Bradley asks, watching them walk away.

“I’d say Miley Becket just got put in her place.” I’d feel sorry for her, but her bullying has affected my life for years and almost ruined this . . . whatever this is.

“I’d say you’re right,” Bradley says, chuckling. “Would you like to celebrate with some dessert?”

I check my watch. “I really shouldn’t. My shift starts early tomorrow.”

He nods and motions for Ian to bring the check. “Rain check on dessert, then?” His eyes meet mine, a deeper question unasked in their depths.

“I’d love that.”

The ride home is mostly quiet, but I can’t help but feel like we’ve embarked on a new journey. One where Miley’s shenanigans are out of the picture for good.

“You were right,” I tell Ashlan the next day when she comes in. “We’ve been busy all day with people wanting to see the new space and peek through to Matti's Playhouse next door.”

She grins. “I told ya. Is Ember starting tonight?”

Ember is the new girl who is going to train to be our third key holder. At eighteen, I was hesitant to hire her, but once I interviewed her, I knew she’d be perfect. She’s hoping to save money to go to college. She wants to be an EMT and help out with the PBFD. “She is. Are you still comfortable training her?”

Ashlan gives me an “are you kidding” look. “Yes.”

I wipe the sweat off my forehead with the back of my arm. “Thank goodness. I’m beat! I called and asked if Bexley can come in tomorrow right after school. If tomorrow’s as busy as today was, I’ll need the extra help.”

Ashlan grimaces. “I’d come in earlier, but I can’t get a babysitter on such short notice.”

I spin around and face her. “A what , now?”

She ducks her head. “A babysitter. Usually my mom watches Ezra for me, but she’s got jury duty this week, and my neighbor is helping me out.”

I nod my head slowly. “Ashlan, why did you never mention you have a child?”

“I’m young, and I’m not married. Most of the jobs I applied for turned me down the minute they found out I had a kid at home.” She grabs a towel and wipes down the espresso machine.

“I’m sorry that happened to you. I wish I’d known.” She stiffens, so I hurry to continue. “Because I’d have made sure your schedule accommodated having a kiddo at home.”

“It’s usually not a big deal. Mom works from home, and Ezra’s four now. He’s a good kid. Plays by himself or colors if she has a meeting and needs him to be quiet.” She smiles and pulls out her phone. “Want to see a picture?”

“Of course I do,” I say, moving in closer. An adorable little boy with brown curly hair and light green eyes grins at the camera. “He’s cute. I bet he’d get along great with Matti. You should ask Lacey about a play date.”

Ashlan shakes her head. “I don’t know. Once people know about Ezra, they treat me differently. Like I have a scarlet letter on my chest or something.”

I feel for her. I can’t imagine being a young single parent. If my memory serves me right, Ashlan’s only twenty-two. Not terribly young to have a four-year-old, but certainly younger than most women who start a family. “I’m positive Lacey wouldn’t think any differently of you.”

“Think differently of you for what?” Lacey says, stepping up to the counter.

“Nothing,” I blurt.

Ashlan sighs and passes her phone to Lacey.

“Cute kid! Is he your nephew?” She passes the phone back.

“No, he’s my son.” Ashlan tucks the phone back in her pocket, avoiding Lacey’s eyes.

“Oh, we should get the boys together. I know Matti would love a play date with a new friend.” Lacey’s already pulling out her phone to look at her calendar. “If you don’t mind them playing next door, I’d love to have him join us for free play any night next week. Free of charge, of course.”

Ashlan smiles. “I’d like that,” she says. “Ezra could use a play buddy.”

“It’s settled, then,” Lacey says, sliding her phone back in her pocket. “Just let me know when you want to bring him, and I’ll bring Matti.”

The chime of the front door opening pulls us out of our little bubble. “Hey, Heath,” I say, stepping up to the register. “What can I get you?”

“Think you could hook me up with one of your coffees?” He blows into his hands. “It’s awfully chilly out there tonight.”

“Sure, what would you like?”

“Just a hot coffee with cream and sugar. Nothing fancy like Bradley likes.” Heath chuckles. “He had Ashlan make him some iced cookie something or other the other day. I don’t think Hudson’s ever letting that one go.”

Ashlan giggles. “You’d be surprised how many men order the flavored drinks.”

Heath shakes his head. “Not me, I’m a plain old coffee guy. Now, Gabby—she likes the sweet stuff.”

“Good to know. And Bradley likes the sweet stuff too, huh?” I ask, already thinking of a way to surprise him.

“Yep, almost as much as he likes s’mores, which is saying something. He keeps s’mores granola bars in his briefcase.” He laughs. “That man’s got a huge sweet tooth.”

Lacey points to the street where Bradley’s just parked and gotten out of his truck. “Seems s’mores and coffee aren’t the only things he’s sweet on, huh, Aurora?”

“What on earth?” I ask, moving from behind the counter when I see Bradley lift a big contraption out of his truck. The huge wooden . . . something . . . looks heavy.

“I’m gonna go help him with that,” Heath says, before heading out the door and across the street.

“What is that?” I ask Lacey. “Were you expecting something for next door?”

She shakes her head. “No, I have no clue what it is.”

Bradley and Heath step inside, setting the wooden contraption down. “What’s this?” I ask, walking up for a better look.