His Paradise

The sudden change of subject catches me off-guard and I glance up to see Liam chatting to Mayor Mark Short. They look like old friends. I watch them for a few moments until they shake hands and part ways and Liam goes back to his pursuit of coffee.

“First that black Amex I saw this morning and now this. Who is this guy?” Sammy raises an eyebrow, but she’s wary of everything and everyone. I try and dismiss it, but for some reason there’s a niggle in the back of my mind I can’t put my finger on.

7

Liam

By the time I make it back with two coffees, the girls’ table has already attracted a line of people. I got stuck at the coffee shop because I didn’t think to ask how Nicole wanted it. But when the barista asked who it was for he knew immediately how she took it. That irritated me to no end, but it was made worse by the questions I got afterwards.

It seemed like everyone in the town was in the shop asking me why I was getting coffee for “Nikki” and was I the guy at the bar with her last night. I avoided questions as much as I could until the guy handed me over two cups, telling me which one was for her and which was for Sammy. I hadn’t even had a chance to tell him I was getting them both a drink before I got bombarded by people, so he must know they’re always together.

Everyone in this town knows one another and they’re all looking at me like I’m some alien from another planet. I’m trying not to be the asshole I know I can come across as, because this is Nicole’s town and I want her to like me. I mean, I know what I felt last night and I’m hoping she did, too. But what if everyone in this town tells her I’m the bad guy? And worse, what if someone figures out who I really am and tells her. Fuck, I’ve got to figure out a way to tell her.

“Here you go, blondie,” I say, coming up from behind her and passing her the cup.

“Thanks,” Sammy says as she takes hers and then sets it down so that she can take money from someone.

“You guys got busy while I was gone,” I say, and Nicole looks back over her shoulder to wink at me.

God, I wish I could take her to the ground right now and bury my face between her legs. I lick my lips, trying desperately to recall the taste from last night. I thought I’d get another chance this morning, but when I woke up and she was gone I came undone.

“What can I do to help?” I ask, looking at all the people waiting to get to them. I don’t really want to talk to them, but I’d do anything to help Nicole.

“Can you grab a few more boxes from the truck?” she asks, sounding excited. “I can’t believe we’ve already gone through so many.”

“You got it,” I say and walk over to where I parked.

The mayor is on the other side of the farmers market now and I hope he stays that way. I had my assistant Kathy put in a call to him to set up a meeting, but I’m rethinking everything now. Nicole has got my plans all shot up and I’ve got to figure out which way is up. When he walked over to me and said hello I spent the entire time hoping Nicole wasn’t watching. He could burst my carefully created bubble before I have a chance to come clean. And if what everyone is telling me about her is true, that kind of deception would break her heart.

I grab the last of the boxes and carry them over to the table. I help unload them and place them on the table, but it seems like as fast as I lay them down, they’re getting scooped up. And within an hour the table is wiped clean.

“Holy shit,” Sammy whispers when they have to turn away the last of the customers. “Nicole, we did it,” she exclaims and pulls her into her arms. “Damn, girl, maybe this will help with the payments and keep that bloodsucking bastard hotel owner from getting his clutches in you.”

I pause from breaking down the empty boxes to glance over at the two of them. Neither of them is looking at me and a chill runs down my spine.

Nicole leans in like she doesn’t want anyone to hear her, and I focus on the box in my hand as my ears strain.

“I’m really happy with today’s sales, but it won’t be enough to keep me afloat long. I’m sick to my stomach thinking about it, but I’m going to have to sell.”