Love Bytes Read Online Free Page B

all.” She made a weak gesture at the sign.
    “Thanks. Seems like a great spot, what with your firm and the design school upstairs. Vee…” he said, drawing out the vowels. “That’s very charming, I like it.”
    Violet smiled as if she had passed some test. What difference did it make if Joe liked her name or not? Regardless of its implication, his approval pleased her.
    “You came here for coffee, right? Come and pick something you like.”
    Violet didn’t move. The last thing she wanted him to think was that he needed to serve her coffee. The shop was closed, after all. “Joe, no. I shouldn’t have even disturbed you.”
    Despite her protests, he had gone behind the counter and was now perusing his own selection of coffees. “No trouble at all.” He pushed down on the tap of one of the huge pots and a pink paper cup filled with the magical brew.
    An arrow of guilt winged its way through her chest. Francis made them coffee. However, Joe was already pouring the coffee; she couldn’t just walk away. She made her way over to the counter to claim her cup.
    Joe’s curious gaze traveled over her face and she did her best not to blush, but her traitorous cheeks heated despite her effort. “Two creams, one sugar, right?”
    Violet felt her eyes widen. Was he a mind reader? “How did you know?”
    Joe added the extras. “You don’t seem like the type of gal who likes it too sweet.” He fitted a pink top to the cup and placed it on the counter. “No charge.”
    “I couldn’t.” She rummaged through her messenger bag. Taking the coffee would be rude; she had to pay him something.
    Joe put his hand on her gloved ones, stilling their frantic digging. “Take it and enjoy.”
    A reluctant smile crept across her face. “I will. Thank you.” She scooped up her messenger bag. “Thank you,” she said again and grabbed the paper cup, the heat of the coffee penetrating the thin leather of her glove.
    “Nice to meet you, Vee,” Joe called after her.
    She raised one hand in reply.
     
    ****
     
    Violet walked across the carpeted hallway to the mailroom, pulled the mail from yesterday, and tucked it in her bag. Francis never seemed to remember to check the box.
    On her way to the elevator, she heard the lobby door open.
    “Vee!” Francis called.
    Violet stopped, trying not to squeeze the cup of coffee in her hand. If only she could stick it in her pocket. “Hello, Francis,” she said, pressing the button for the elevator. “Look who’s early.”
    “You’re earlier.” He eyed the cup of coffee in her hand. “Where did you get that?”
    “The coffee shop.” The elevator door opened with a ding and they stepped inside.
    Francis pushed the button for the second floor. “When I walked by it was closed.”
    “It is closed,” she said as the elevator’s doors opened. “I got a free sample.”
    “Free sample. How nice.” Francis was expressionless as he unlocked the office door. He pushed it open. “After you.”
     
    ****
     
    Rogers settled at the common table with his co-workers and peeled the plastic wrap from his chicken salad sandwich—the one thing that the cafeteria did well. For a small company, the set-up was pretty sweet. None of the other companies he’d worked for had given him his own office. Anything you want, Francis had told him, which was fine until he realized “anything” had a limit named Violet.
    “I hope we’re able to pull this off,” said Alyssa, gesturing with a fork that trailed ramen noodles. The girl lived on Coke Zero and those instant soups in a cup. “We’re working on a tight deadline. My eyes are screaming for some relief from that damn screen.”
    “For the bonuses they’re paying, it’ll be worth it.”  Pete took a big bite of his sandwich, brushed at the crumbs that fell across his chest. “I’m with ‘em to the end.”
    Rogers shrugged. “I’ve worked with tighter deadlines,” he said with feigned enthusiasm. “But you’re right. I’d work