Page 93 of The Reason I Married Him
“Please,” Hayes says, making room for me. “Have you met Wyatt yet?”
The man with more hair on his forearms than his head looks up at me. “No, I don’t believe we have. I’m Hank.”
“Hank, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Wyatt.”
Hank studies me for a moment. “Wyatt, are you the new guy everyone is talking about? You’re going out with Aubree, right? My daughters were gabbing about it all morning.”
I chuckle. “Guilty, that’s me.”
“Well, nice to meet the talk of the town. Apparently, you were spotted last night enjoying cherry pie with Aubree. Now all the cherry pies at The Sweet Lab are gone. Sold out.”
Hayes pats me on the back. “Look at you being a trendsetter.”
“Yes, so if you could be spotted eating something here, I’d appreciate it.”
I laugh. “What do you need to sell out of?”
Hank drags his hand over his cheek as he looks at his barrels of coffee. “I have this one coffee brand no one will buy from me, and it’s driving me nuts.”
A sick feeling starts in my stomach. “What coffee?”
“Clearwater Coffee.” Hank shakes his head. “Tastes like swill, and everyone knows it. Maybe if they see you drink it, they might give it another shot.”
I swallow hard and mask my discomfort. Of course Clearwater Coffee is here. Cadance made a big push on the brand a year ago, trying to sell it up and down the coast. Looks like Hank fell victim to her big blue eyes.
“Ah, man, I’d love to do you a solid on that, but I’ve tasted Clearwater, and it’s piss.”
Hank lets out a boisterous laugh. “Dammit.” He playfully smacks the counter. “And here I thought I was about to get rid of it. Might just compost it and take the hit. After word got out about the flavor, no one has touched it. Trust me when I say, never do anything wrong in this town because everyone will know about it. Luckily, I’ve recovered since trying to feed peoplethe sludge, but it’s been an uphill climb. The only thing that saved me was my omelets.”
“He’s being dramatic,” Hayes says. “But the omelets are next level.”
“Is that the usual?” I ask him.
Hayes shakes his head. “Nah, I like a simple cup of coffee with creamer and one of his bear claws. To me, that’s his real claim to fame, but it seems the omelet obsession has made people overlook the bear claw.”
“Well, if they’re that good, I’ll have to give it a try,” I say. “I’ll take the usual as well.”
Hank points his finger at me and Hayes. “If I sell out of bear claws, you two can eat here for free.”
We both laugh, and Hank rings us up. Neither Hayes nor I struggle financially, but Hank’s generosity reflects small-town kindness. Rare. Genuine. I go to pay, but Hayes stops me, claiming he asked me to breakfast, so he’ll pay.
I’m not going to argue. Sometimes it’s nice to have someone else pay for me.
When finished at the register, Hank moves to the coffee bar and says, “Pick a seat outside. I’ll have your drinks and donuts delivered to you.”
“Thanks, Hank,” Hayes says, heading out back. He says hi to a few people but doesn’t stay to chat. He moves to the back deck to a table under a blue umbrella.
The ocean breeze cools the temperature from the sun’s rays, and the salty scent is incredible.I can see why people want to live here year-round.I might soon be one of them. I forgot how much I appreciate the ocean until I’m around it.
“So you were caught sharing a pie with Aubree. Big news,” Hayes says with a smirk.
“Apparently. Didn’t know it was going to be the talk of the town.”
“Everything is the talk of the town, especially when it’s a new relationship. You should have heard the gossip when Hattie and I first got together, especially since Ryland and I were in a feud. It was all anyone ever talked about. We even had some rumors develop. That was exciting.”
“Oh?” I ask. “Like what?”
“Stupid shit like I was hooking up with Hattie to get back at Ryland. I was going to get her pregnant and leave her. That I was only using her for music inspiration. You know, dumb shit.”
