Page 60 of A Cup of Autumn
He shoved his fingers in his pockets. “I’m good. Good night.”
“See you around.”
Tomorrow. Keaton planned on working at her coffee shop. He couldn’t wait to see her again.
Chapter Twelve
Tuesday brought arush of customers, but with Parker and Robin working behind the counter, they handled the orders efficiently. It was the best start to a day that Raine could remember in months. That made her smile. Something she’d been doing all morning.
And not only because of her staff.
Raine sneaked a peek at Keaton, who worked on his laptop at the corner table. He’d arrived earlier than normal and let her pick another pumpkin spice drink for him.
She fought the urge to touch her forehead where Keaton had kissed her. For a practice date, last night had felt…real. She wasn’t ready to open the door to dating yet. But leaving it ajar didn’t feel wrong.
Not that Keaton wanted to push open the door and date her or vice versa. But she enjoyed spending time with him, and she hoped they could go out again.
As friends.
Or fellow Boo Bash volunteers.
Or…
A label wasn’t necessary, even if she’d found herself labeling or being labeled quickly after she met someone. Raine didn’t have to do things the way she’d always done them.
Going on the practice date last night had shown her that.
She glanced over at the corner table.
Keaton’s screen blocked his keyboard, but she imagined his fingers typing at a rapid rate, the way she’d seen last week.
Click, click, click.
Words forming.
His eyes focused on the screen without a sense of anything around him.
She couldn’t hear his fingers striking the keys, but in her head, the sound rose above the din of the other customers and the rhythm of his typing went with the beat of music playing.
Raine grinned. She hoped he was making good progress on his book.
Parker handed her a cup. “This is the last drink for the to-go order.”
He was in his early thirties, from Portland, Oregon, where he’d managed a coffee franchise, and was willing to work any shift. He was quiet and hadn’t given her a reason for moving to Silver Falls, but he showed up early, worked hard, and got along with everyone. She couldn’t ask for anything more.
“Thanks.” Raine put the café au lait into the drink carrier with three other cups. “Anna.”
The dog groomer from Wags and Tails must be picking up coffee for the staff, only Callie’s favorite drink was missing. She must be off or coming in later.
Someday I’ll be able to do the same thing.
Maybe someday soon if her interviews this week went well.
As Anna came to the counter, her blond ponytail bounced. She tucked her phone into the front pocket of her hoodie. “Your smile’s back.”
“It’s always been there.”
“Not like this morning.” Anna grinned. “Let me guess, it has something to do with Callie’s brainy brother.”
