Mistletoe Baby (Crescent Cove 9.50)

Especially since he was obviously a city boy of some sort. He probably wouldn’t notice the difference in cost.

Callum nodded to another coffee sitting just behind his stack. “That’s yours if you’d like to quench your thirst.”

I glanced down at the coffee. My coffee. It wasn’t terribly original, but when it came to Macy’s strong brew, I needed the sweetness of vanilla and milk with a dash of honey. Honey being her secret ingredient for me. It had taken two years for her to tell me what it was.

“Why did you get my drink?”

“For you, of course.”

“I’m working.”

“You work in a café. I’m pretty sure you’re going to drink the product sometime.”

I gathered the cups. “I’m fine.”

“Suit yourself,” he called after me.

I picked up the pace and dumped the mugs in my bin and brought it all into the back. Macy was waiting there for me.

“So, what’s the story?”

“There isn’t a story.” I moved to the dishwasher and started stacking mugs and cups into the correct slots.

“Oh, there’s a story. He’s been sniffing after you for hours now.”

“Right. It’s been awhile. Shouldn’t you be heading home anyway? You never stay away from Michael this long.”

“He’s with Grumps for the afternoon. Don’t change the subject.”

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I gripped the edge of the counter. “I don’t know why he’s still here.”

“Zzzt. Try again.”

I huffed out a breath. “It’s stupid, and he’s just being stubborn. He’ll go away soon.”

“Considering he’s spent about eighty bucks here, not including those big tips—I don’t think so.”

“Eighty? What are you charging him?”

Macy shrugged. “He keeps buying for all the people who sit for his pretty pictures.”

“What did Dani get out of him?”

“Double chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate.” Macy gave me a wolfish smile. “She knows how to play men. I feel that I’ll be in trouble in about five years.”

I laughed despite my own annoyance. “I think you’re right. You’ll have too much fun needling Gideon.”

Her grin widened. “I live for making my husband nuts.”

“What’s that like?”

She frowned. “You know Gideon.”

“I know.” I shook my head. “Never mind.”

“Uh-oh. Are you drinking the Cove Kool-Aid?”