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smile meets the corner of her glossy pink lips, and she scurries off behind the counter.
    I think I’ll have to work on seeing more of that smile.
     

CHAPTER FOUR
    WILLOW
    “You seemed very chatty with Mr Brown-Eyes before,” I say once I get Gabs behind the coffee machine.
    She gives me a smug smile. “Just looking after our customers, lady. Besides, I’d say you just got more than a bit friendly with him.”
    Just for that comment, she gets an eye-roll.
    “Did you find out his name?” I ask. When Gabs tilts her head to the side in that be-prepared-to-be-questioned gaze, I immediately wish I hadn’t asked.
    “Why?” she says in a singsong voice, making two syllables out of the word.
    Another eye-roll.
    “You ask everyone their names. It’s what you do. It’s why people keep coming back.”
    “Nope,” she says, popping the P . I know exactly what she’s doing. It’s her little way of pushing me, without actually looking like she’s pushing me.
    “Why not?” I put a hand on my hip.
    “If you wanna know his name, honey, you ask him.” She leans in close, her nose almost touching mine. “Live a little,” she dares and then blows me a kiss as she returns to the register to take the next order.
    “I’m living just fine,” I mumble to myself as I clean the steam wand.
    “Exactly,” Gabs says. “ Just fine.”
    Every day I want to ask her how she gets herself out of bed, how she gets on with life. But I don’t dare. Life threw Gabs the most cruel and unfair hand, and I have no right to say anything, because she’s risen above it all. She has trouble putting herself out there with men. As she tells me, she’s all unicorns and rainbows and sweet sugary cupcakes, but like anyone, she has good days and bad. She’s been open with me, and shared with me everything about her past. I haven’t had the guts to tell her my story yet. It’s been two years since she came into my life. Since I haven’t spilled it by now, I don’t think I ever will. Some things are better left in the past, where I’ve tried to bury them.
    I go about making Brown-Eyes’ coffee. Double-shot. I make another leaf pattern in the froth, this one more intricate than the last time I poured one for him.
    “I’m just going out back to change my shirt. Would you mind taking this out?” I ask Gabs, sliding the cup carefully towards her. I silently beg with my eyes for her not to argue with me on this. I’m embarrassed enough about running into that wall of muscle. I can’t believe that only moments ago, he was holding me tight in his arms. It’s been a long time since a man has held me like that. Too long . I’ve missed it, more than I thought I did.
    And my word, doesn’t he smell divine. After diving into his chest, I swear I can still smell the mouth-watering crisp, clean scent on me. All man.
    She gives me a knowing smile. “Okay, enough of the pathetic puppy-dog eyes. Of course, lady. Anything you need.”
    ****
    RYAN
    I look up from the newspaper when a coffee cup is placed on the table. Bright red curls flash in front of me and my smile fades. My shoulders slump. Why didn’t Blondie bring it over? I can’t say I’m not disappointed.
    “Here’s your double-shot, Brown-Eyes.”
    “Thanks.”
    She leans down, giving me an eyeful of cleavage. Whoa . Those puppies are more than a handful, and then some. “What time you planning on coming in tomorrow?”
    I won’t be down at the docks until late morning, so I guess I’ll go for an early run, and then swing past. “I dunno. Around eight? Why’s that?”
    I lean back in my chair and regard her as I silently question her motives. Is she coming on to me? Fuck. If that’s the case, I need to say something.
    “I need a favour,” she says and purses her purple lips.
    “Okay,” I answer with hesitation. What have I just committed to?
    She jerks her head in the direction of the counter. “You think you can make my girl laugh?”
    “Who, Blondie?”
    “Ha. Yeah,