You Smiled Read Free

sugar-free pastries.”
    He dipped his next bite into a healthy scoop of whipped cream. “It’s actually pretty good,” he observed.
    She rolled her eyes, but managed a small smile. “I’ve gotta get back to work. Got a broken hose that’s slowing up the washing.”
    “Right. The plumber.”
    “Yep. He’s due fifteen minutes ago.” She looked at Alex for a moment, almost as though a hint of recognition had surfaced. “Nice talking to you.”
    “You, too,” he said.
    Their gazes held, and she finally turned and walked to the back of the store. She stopped and talked to a customer at one table, waved at yet another, and then took the final few steps to her office.
    Alex watched her retreat. She still had her runner’s physique - long and lean in her blue jeans. The last ten years had been very good to her. She seemed to have developed a no-nonsense approach to life, which was fine, as long as she didn’t lose the smile. He sipped his coffee and finished off the pastry.
    He had five days. He’d have to work on getting a little more time with her.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Wednesday
     
     
    Three o’clock rolled around and Grace couldn’t help herself. Denim Man, or Just-the-right-fit-T-shirt Man had come in at about the same time the last two days. Was he in town for the week, or had he been around for a long weekend and was now on his way back to … wherever? Why did she care? Why couldn’t she keep her eyes off the door?
    It was busier today. She’d stayed to help behind the counter, but she needed to get back to the office and get next week’s schedule figured out. It was never an easy process with everyone’s special requests for time off or extra hours. She glanced at the door, again. The line was manageable for the two behind the counter. She had to get back to the paperwork.
    Pausing in front of the selection of teas, Grace searched for one that she hadn’t tried in a while. She settled on the Tippy Yunnan and filled the bag with the loose leaves. She poured precisely heated water and allowed the tea to steep while she casually considered the new arrivals in line. Three of them were becoming regulars; the professor who came in the late afternoon to grade papers with his triple soy mocha, the kid getting ready for the long shift behind the bar at the restaurant down the street, and Tea Lady, who never drank the same tea twice.
    Grace smiled at her new little coffee shop family as she subtly craned her neck to see the next three people entering the store. It appeared to be a couple of college students and a tired mom who needed her caffeine before the after-school activities began. Grace wondered if she’d ever be running her own kids to soccer practice.
    She shook herself. Where did that come from? She had a coffee shop to run, or more accurately, to keep from tanking. Money was extremely tight and she still had some creative maneuvering to do with her budget. She thought of the schedule again and ached at the thought of having to cut one of her baristas. Even that might not be enough.
    No, as cliché as it sounded, she didn’t have time for a personal life until she got her business on solid ground. That might be exactly never.
    The door opened, and he walked in. She absolutely didn’t care that he looked gorgeous in a grey Duke sweatshirt and jeans. What did it matter if the wind following him in blew his slightly curly hair around his handsome face? It mattered so little that she decided to hide away in her office until he got his coffee and left. Never mind that she’d been watching for his return. Whatever strange attraction she felt for him needed to be nipped in the bud; she didn’t even know the guy.
    She sipped her tea and made for the office door. By the time he’d waited in line and ordered …
    “Grace?”
    He must have booked it to get to the back of the store so fast. Maybe he needed to use the restroom? She turned slowly and breathed deeply, determined to control an