I’m totally overthinking this.
Maybe he was just being kind and grateful because I brought food.
I nod and move on to emptying a dishwasher full of coffee mugs.
Yes, that’s it. He was being nice.
And I’ve been overthinking it all day. I mixed up people’s drinks, forgot one altogether, and my head has been in the clouds.
As the new owner of Drips & Sips in Cunningham Falls, Montana, I’m a professional. I need to remember what my priorities are and keep my mind on the task at hand.
And that is running this amazing business, not wondering about the flirtations of a member of the royal family.
“Get it together, Aspen,” I mutter just as the bell on the door dings behind me, signaling that someone is walking in. “Sorry, we’re closed for the day.”
I turn and stop short.
Callum Wakefield, Prince Callum Wakefield, is standing in my café.
“Yes, I was banking on that,” he says with a wink and flips the lock on the door before turning back to me. “How was your day?”
“Uh, busy,” I reply and frown in confusion at the tall, sexy man as he walks closer. He’s in jeans and a green, short-sleeve, button-down shirt. He’s tanned, and his square jawline has the slightest hint of scruff.
His brown eyes, full of humor and mischief, are on me as I soak him in.
“What can I do for you?” I ask and set my wet rag aside. I want to fiddle with my hair—I know I look horrible after a long day of work—but I don’t.
“You can go to dinner with me,” he says with a half-smile.
I laugh. I can’t help myself. Am I being punked? Since when does royalty ask Aspen Calhoun out on a date?
“Is something about that funny?” he asks.
“Hilarious,” I confirm. “What can I really do for you? I just cleaned the espresso machine, but I can make you something if you like.”
“I believe I’m speaking English,” he says and leans on my counter. “I’d like to have dinner with you.”
I narrow my eyes. “No, thank you.”
He tilts his head to the side. “Drinks?”
“I’d rather not.”
“I’ll buy you some coffee, then.”
I laugh again. “I get all the coffee I want for free.”
He nods, watching me with those intense brown eyes. “Well, why don’t I just hang out here while you close up?”
“Where’s your security?” I ask as I turn and continue putting mugs away. “Don’t you go everywhere with them in tow?”
“Waiting outside,” he replies, walking up beside me. “Why are you here alone?”
“Because I like being alone,” I reply honestly. “There’s no need to pay staff to stay late. Besides, I kind of like to clean. It allows me to think.”
He doesn’t say anything. He also doesn’t make a move to leave.
So, I reach into a bucket and retrieve another rag, wring it out, and pass it to him.
“Here. If you’re going to hang out, you can make yourself useful.”
He raises a brow, but he takes the rag from me.
“What would you like me to do with this?”
“Wipe off tables,” I reply, gesturing toward the back of the café. “Just give them a little pass over with the rag.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He immediately turns away and gets to work, surprising the hell out of me. I expected him to smirk and pass the rag back.
He’s a prince.
And he’s cleaning tables in my café.
If it weren’t so absurd, it would be adorable.
Maybe I hit my head earlier today, and this is all just a funny dream. I’ll have to call my friend Natasha later and tell her all about it. She’ll get a kick out of it.
But when I turn around and find Callum standing there, watching me, it feels very real.
“You’re not a dream, are you?”
His lips tip up in an arrogant smile. “Well, in what context are you referring?”
Why is his accent so damn sexy? I mean, he looks like that, and he sounds sexy, as well? Inconceivable.
“This is the most bizarre conversation I’ve ever had. And trust me when I say I’ve had some crazy encounters. What are you doing here?”
“I told you,” he says, setting the rag on the counter and walking around to me once more. “I want to take you to dinner. Or somewhere. I’d like to get to know you better, Aspen.”
I lick my lips. He’s so close now, I can feel the heat of him. He would scramble the brains of any warm-blooded woman.
But I haven’t flirted with a man in years. And I certainly haven’t entertained the idea of dating one. Or, better yet, having sex with one.
But with Callum standing mere feet away, that’s precisely what I’m thinking.
“You surprise me,” I admit in a soft voice.
“How’s that?”
“You cleaned those tables without batting an eye.”
“I’ve cleaned far worse, I can assure you.”
I tilt my head, watching him. I can see his pulse in his neck.