Jude must have felt my gaze, because he turned to me and held out his hand. “Jude Hudson. I represent thrillers and suspense novels. You must be the new intern.”
“I…am,” I breathed. Shaking his hand, I swear I felt a spark. It wasn’t carpet static, because we were standing on a hardwood floor. He had dark wavy hair, chocolate brown eyes framed with long lashes, and a rugged chin with a hint of a beard that I found very sexy. I bet he spent time in the gym, judging by the way his snug dress shirt revealed the outline of well-defined muscles. For a middle-aged man, he was a fine specimen.
“Lily!” Ms. Burlington-Duke spoke my name too loudly.
I jumped. “It’s Lila.”
“See that no more vagabonds enter our office.” She waved toward the staircase. “I don’t want anything to disturb my meeting with our client Carson Knight, who is due to arrive any minute. Here. I printed out the week’s query letters mistakenly sent to my personal email account. You can add these to your current file.” She handed me a wad of papers, turned, and disappeared down the hall.
“Zach said you were heading to Espresso Yourself. I’d accompany you, but I have more contract details to review with Carson.” Jude’s velvety voice felt like a caress. He bent down to pick up the flowers while I enjoyed the view.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take a rain check.” I couldn’t believe I’d said that. I wasn’t normally so forward. Grabbing my purse, I made my exit before Jude could realize that I’d been staring at every inch of him.
There was no line in the cramped café downstairs. Coeds with laptops occupied most of the tables, and two patrons waited for their drinks at the pick-up station next to the barista.
I made my way slowly to the counter as I took in the art on the wall, an array of wonderful watercolors and oils. One of them, a lively rendition of the town, was marked by a sign declaring: All paintings by local artists. Support your community by buying an original.
Acoustic guitar music played over speakers. Beside the counter stood a carved wooden shelf holding uniquely shaped and colored mugs. Mugs by Christa, a notice posted on the shelf proclaimed.
I was greeted by an African American clerk in her midtwenties. Her head was shaved, accentuating her fern green eyes. Her skin looked like chocolate silk and was infused with a radiance that made her appear ageless.
“You are gorgeous!” I couldn’t help exclaim. “Your eyes are dazzling, and you have the most beautiful skin I’ve ever seen.”
“Woman, you have made my day!” she beamed. When I recited Zach’s order, her fingers paused over the register keys. “Are you the new intern?”
“I am. Though it seems like no one is able to last long in the intern position. Any insights?”
The woman laughed, a sound that reminded me of wind chimes. “Not a clue. All I can say is don’t take anything too seriously. Life’s about small pleasures, right? A cup of coffee, a great song, someone telling you you’ve got nice skin. You see what I’m saying?”
I nodded. “How did you get so wise at such a tender age?”
She grinned. “You learn stuff when your job is to give folks the boost they need to make it through another workday. And I read a ton of books. We have sort of a lending library in the corner there.” She gestured to a niche filled with three stuffed bookshelves. “I also keep one behind the counter for when things get slow. A girl can only wipe a counter so many times, you know what I’m saying?”
I laughed. “So what are you hiding back there now?”
She held out the cover of a tattered paperback with a flourish and then put it down the counter again. It was the latest novel by Nicholas Sparks. “That man’s words melt in the mouth like sugar! And a girl needs a good dose of romance every now and again.” She uncapped a pen and drew a heart on a paper napkin. “Still, next time you get in line I could just as well have J.D. Robb or Malcolm Gladwell under the counter. Even I don’t know what I’m going to read next. I walk over to those shelves in the corner, close my eyes, and pick a book. I’m Makayla, by the way. I run this little corner of heaven.” She favored me with another stunning smile.
“I plan to start all of my days off here, Makayla,” I said after introducing myself. “Coffee and books? This place is paradise.”
“Stop by tomorrow and your next latte is on me. It’s my way of welcoming you as a new regular customer. And feel free to sit and talk to me about books anytime. I’d love it!”
Glad to have made a new friend, I carefully carried the coffees upstairs to the office. To my credit, I didn’t spill a single drop of Zach’s espresso.
Even so, things were about to get very messy.
Chapter 3