“Are you dedicating it to anyone?”
“Huh?” I frown, glancing at my watch momentarily as a message from my sister comes in. I ignore it and look at Mitchell. “What are you talking about?”
“The article. You know you can dedicate it to someone.”
“Why in the world? It’s not a book.”
“It’s still a body of work. You can dedicate your thesis to someone.” He shrugs a shoulder and opens the door to the lobby for me. “Why not this?”
“I just don’t see the point. Why are you asking, you want me to dedicate it to you?”
“No.” He chuckles. “I was just curious.”
My watch buzzes again as we get to the elevator. This time, when my sister asks if I want breakfast, I push the little button and voice back, “I work. You can come by the coffee shop though.”
“So that’s why you turned me down.” Mitch shoots me an amused look as we get out of the elevator.
“I turned you down because I have no interest in going on a breakfast date with you.”
“Dinner then.”
I sigh. “I don’t see the point, Mitch.” I turn the key and open the door.
“I know you still have feelings for me.”
“What?” I swallow, turning around to face him.
“Do you?” He searches my eyes.
“I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“The truth.”
“I don’t know why it matters.”
“It just does.”
“Even if I have feelings for you, it wouldn’t change anything. I still wouldn’t be tripping all over myself to be with you.”
“Because I hurt you.”
“Yeah. You know what they say about insanity.”
“We were seventeen, Misty.” He leans against the doorframe, peering down at me through those dark lashes of his. He reaches out and caresses the side of my arm, sending a shiver down my body. “Don’t let fear get in the way of your dreams.”
“My dreams?” I laugh. “I don’t know what inspirational posters you’ve been reading, but I’m pretty sure this is your dream, not mine.”
“What if it is?” He smiles and God, it does something to me.
“Pick me up tonight at seven. I have to be up early, so no later than that.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He beams as he stands up straight and salutes me, like I’m a superior he’s following orders from.
“Goodbye, Mitchell.” I step inside fully and shut the door between us, heart pounding.
As I shower and dress for work, I remind myself that I need to keep this casual, the way I do with everyone else. Just because he gives me goosebumps or butterflies doesn’t mean he’s it for me. Whatever I feel for him is a memory of what I felt before, but I can’t get my hopes up. He’s leaving soon and I have no idea where he’ll end up but I know it wouldn’t work out between us once he’s gone.
Chapter Thirty
I’m helping Archer put away a shipment of food and drinks when my sister and Jagger walk in the door. When I look up again, I see Mitchell walk in, head down as he types furiously into his phone.
“I got this,” Archer says. “We only have a few more juices left to bring up front. You go take their order.”
“Thanks.” I wipe my hands on my apron and walk over to the register, but before I take their order, I walk around and give my sister and Jagger a quick hug. Luckily, Mitch is still on the phone so I ignore him.
“I forgot how cute this place is,” Jo says, looking around. “I’m surprised it’s this empty.”
“It’s early. Only early morning coffee drinkers have come in. Everyone else is either sleeping or at church.”
I take their orders, Mitchell included once he puts down his phone and pays attention, and because it’s so empty, I’m able to take their stuff to their table and talk to them a little longer. After a moment, I go back behind the counter and take a new customer’s order.
“That’s the ex,” Archer says.
“How do you know?” I laugh as I make an oat milk cappuccino.
“The tension is rising.”
“Shut up.” I shake my head, still smiling.
“It’s true. And he hasn’t stopped looking at you since he got here.”
“He’s been on the phone the entire time since he got here.” I shoot Archer a look as I froth the milk.
“So you’ve been looking at him the entire time then.”
“Whatever.” I roll my eyes.
“What happened with Kian?”
“He gave me a ride home.”
“And?”
“He asked me out.”
“And?”
“I said yes.” I shrug a shoulder as I focus on pouring the milk into the coffee. I’ve been practicing making cute designs with the milk, but so far I’ve only been able to master a leaf.
“When are you going out?”
“I don’t know.” I finish preparing the drink, set the mug on a plate, and push it toward the edge of the counter.
“Probably never,” Archer says, eyeing Mitch quickly. “I don’t think he’s letting you out of his sight any time soon.”
“Please.” I roll my eyes, then smile. “Soleil said she went home with you the other night.”
“Ah, the swift subject change,” he says, but his ears are bright red and he’s smiling. “I think it’s going somewhere.”
“I knew it.” I feel myself smile wide. “You guys are perfect for each other.”
“Okay, Cupid. Pipe down.” He laughs lightly and I can tell he’s super embarrassed, so I stop talking about it. Archer glances over my shoulder and back at me. “Pissed-off customer in aisle one. I’m going to run to the bank to make this deposit. I’ll be right back.” He taps my head, grabs the stuff he needs, and walks toward the front door. I turn around to see a pissed-off Mitchell.
“What’s up?” I walk over. “Did you not like your coffee?”
“It’s fine.”
“The croissant?”
“It’s good.”
“Okay so why are you mad?”
“I’m not mad. Can we talk?”
“Right now?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, talk.” I glance around.
There’s no one else here besides my sister and Jagger and they’re lost in conversation, probably still looking at wedding venues. Instead of spilling out whatever he’s thinking from across the counter, Mitchell walks around and stands in front of the register.
“What are you doing?” I whisper, eyes wide.
“Talking.”
“Okay.” My heart pounds harder, faster against my chest. “What is it?”
“I hate seeing you with other guys.”
“Archer?” I nearly squeal. “He’s a friend.”
“I know. I’m not saying I hate the fact that you have guy friends. I know he’s a friend and he seems like a cool dude, but I hate it. I hate that you laugh with him and talk to him so carefree and with me you seem all wound up and guarded.” He takes another step forward. “I hate that you feel like you can’t be yourself around me and I hate that I know exactly how you are when you’re yourself because you let me see you once, before I fucked it all up.”