Epilogue

Casey Houston

I adjusted the knobs on the espresso machine, whipping through one drink after another. Even though I’d ended up in Willow Brook, Alaska because I was running away, literally, this was a great job. Firehouse Café was adorable, my boss was awesome, and I had a sweet little apartment next door.

I finished serving the last drink from this little cluster of customers and began tidying up. I always used the small lulls here to keep things at a baseline. Chaos could ensue if I didn’t. Maybe a full three minutes passed before the bell jingled above the door. I glanced up to see one of the firefighters walking in. With four hotshot crews based out of Willow Brook, there were a lot of firefighters in this town. Not a single day went by without seeing at least five firefighters. That was the minimum. I had actually counted a few times.

In this case, the firefighter in question was Leo Massey. Leo bordered on ridiculously sexy. He had dark gold hair, kind of like a lion. I figured it suited him since his name was Leo. Paired with that golden hair were his hazel eyes, mostly green with flecks of gold in them. All matters were made worse with a body designed to melt me. He was beyond fit and didn’t even seem to know it.

“Hey,” he said when he stopped in front of the counter.

“Hi, Leo!” I squeaked. Because, of course, I squeaked around him.

I could usually play it cool, but not with Leo. I silently sighed. I did not need to be crushing on anyone, much less this guy.

Before I could say anything else, a whole group of firefighters came in. I almost let out a giant sigh of relief. I could handle them in groups, especially when Leo was here. He was the only one who got to me.

They called out a few hellos as they clustered around Leo.

“Hey,” I pointed at them one by one as I replied, “Griffin, Hudson, Graham, Levi, and…”

“Beck,” said Beck as he approached last.

“As if I would forget you, Beck,” I teased.

I got busy making the coffees, relieved when more customers came in, including Stella, who was one of my first friends here and had introduced me to pretty much everybody else I knew in town.

Her curls bounced when she stopped beside Hudson and slipped her hand through his elbow. He gave her a lingering kiss. Her cheeks were pink when he lifted his head.

“Lighten up on the PDA,” Beck teased.

Hudson shrugged. “I don’t care.”

Madison, who was married to Graham, smiled indulgently between Stella and Hudson. “They’re still fresh in love. Let them have their PDA.”

The group began exchanging quips and chatting. Once I had everything ready, Beck called out, “I’m paying!” as he scooped up the tray of coffees.

My eyes were drawn like a magnet to Leo as he walked out with the others. I tried not to notice how broad his shoulders were. I busied myself with wiping the counter.

Stella stopped by the register on her way out. “I need some donuts!” she shout-whispered.

“Why are we whispering?” I asked in an exaggerated whisper.

Stella giggled just as Hudson stopped beside her. “What’s so funny?” He smoothed his hand down her back, curling his arm around her waist.

She smiled at him, her cheeks flushed pink. “I’m bringing donuts to the office.”

“That’s just smart,” he teased. “In fact—” He glanced to me. “I’ll take a box of donuts. Are there enough?”

Janet had only recently added donuts to her menu. They were as close to heaven as I’d ever had for donuts.

“We have enough for two boxes. The firefighters are gonna love you,” I said with a wink at Hudson.

He flashed a grin. “Honestly, it’s a little selfish on my part. I’ll eat two on the way back to the station.”

I laughed. “Variety box for both of you?”

When they nodded, I spun away, pushing through the swinging half-door into the kitchen. Janet was bustling around and glanced over.

“I need two variety boxes of donuts,” I said.

“You got it. Your timing is perfect.” Janet reached into one of the rolling cases the donuts were stored in and fetched two boxes. “These are selling out every day. I’m gonna have to tell Luna we need more.”

“Thank you.” I took the boxes from her, adding, “Pretty sure we can sell however many Luna can make.”

When I walked back out front, Hudson was looking down at Stella, his eyes practically beaming love as she said something. He dipped his head a little and gave her a lingering kiss. It felt as if I’d interrupted a deeply private moment. They were in a coffee shop in the middle of downtown Willow Brook with most of the tables full, but still.

I was relieved when he lifted his head and immediately glanced over, his eyes landing on the boxes in my hands. “My mouth is already watering.”

I laughed softly as I handed the boxes over.

“I’ll get them both,” Hudson offered.

Stella elbowed him in the side. “No, this is work for me. You can get yours.”

“It’s not covered by your work for me?” he teased.

Stella waggled her brows. “I’m a lawyer. Getting a box of donuts for my fiancé’s job definitely doesn’t fall under a work expense.”

“If it keeps you happy and means you have a more productive day at work, I think it’s a work expense,” I chimed in.

A moment later, I watched as they walked out holding hands. I loved love . But I was pretty sure it wasn’t in the cards for me.

My day rolled by, busy as ever. It was early evening when I was getting ready to close up. The café was empty, and I had all the chairs up on the tables as I approached the front door to lock up. I was looking down as I walked to the door, stepping carefully since I’d just mopped the floor. When I glanced up, the door was opening and Leo was walking in.

“Whoa, are you closing?” he asked, stopping before he walked all the way inside.

“Yeah, but if you need something I can get it,” I offered.

No matter the situation, I tried to please everyone. I was too flummoxed at his unexpected presence to think clearly.

“I was hoping for another coffee,” he said.

“Coming right up.” I gestured him through the door. “Let me lock up behind you. I just mopped, so walk slowly.” I made my way back around the counter.

“Thanks for the warning,” Leo said.

Sweet hell, even his voice was sexy. It was low with a smooth rumble to it. My belly did a little shimmy and twist. I cleared my throat as I looked at him from behind the counter. “Your usual?”

“Do you know my usual?” he countered, a gleam in his eyes.

“If you come in more than once a week, I know your usual. You usually get the house coffee, extra strong with a shot of espresso in it. Nothing else. Your favorite food is either a plain donut or the ham braided twist.”

His brows hitched up as he let out alow whistle. “Points for that. I’ll just take a coffee, no need for you to do anything else.”

“Donuts are all gone for the day, they’ve been gone since noon, but I do have one twist left.” I gestured to the display case. “I was just about to put the leftover stuff in the back.”

“I can have one now?”

“Of course.”

He grinned. “I’ll take it.”

I was relieved I could move pretty much on autopilot. Within minutes, I handed over his coffee and the small bakery bag. He insisted on paying and giving me a generous tip. Normally, I could chat casually with regular customers, but being alone with Leo tied my tongue into a tangle.

I was mentally patting myself on the back for not doing or saying anything stupid, but it all went sideways when I went to unlock the door. The floor was still damp. I heard the slip of a shoe on the floor as he reached for the door handle with me right on his heels. He had his coffee in one hand and the pastry bag in the other.

Coffee splattered down the front of my shirt, completely soaking it. “Oh!” I jumped back.

“Oh, shit, I’m sorry, Casey,” Leo said as he straightened from slipping, looking horrified.

We both looked down at my shirt. I usually wore tank tops when I was working. It got hot in here with running between the kitchen area and the front. My top was soaked and clung to my chest. My cheeks were burning hot when I looked back up at Leo.

LEO

My eyes were stuck. Casey stood in front of me with her top drenched by the coffee I’d pretty much dumped on her. Her breasts were outlined perfectly. As I stared, her nipples puckered through the cotton. I mentally scrambled and dragged my eyes up to find her staring back at me. Her cheeks were adorably pink and her eyes wide.

“I am so sorry,” I said hurriedly.

“It’s okay!” She spun around, practically sprinting across the café.

The floor was still damp. She slowed just as one of her shoes began to slide on the floor. She was by the counter at this point and reached out, her hand catching it just before her feet began to skid again.

I followed, setting my now mostly empty cup of coffee on the counter with my pastry and reaching out reflexively to steady her. My hand landed on her hip.

I was trying to stay focused, but her hip was a nice soft curve and my fingers sank into it.

“You okay?” I asked hoarsely.

“I’m good.” Her voice was a little breathless.

“Do you have a towel? I am so sorry,” I repeated.

Casey straightened and walked around the counter. “It’s okay.” Her voice was high-pitched. She produced a towel from under the counter and dabbed at her shirt. “Do you want me to make you another coffee?”

“Absolutely not. I still have half of this one. I feel bad leaving now that I spilled most of my coffee on you.”

“It’s fine,” she squeaked.

“You sure?” I asked.

Her auburn ponytail bounced with her nod. “I’ll just walk you back to the door.”

She held the small white towel in front of her chest as she followed me back toward the door.

“I feel like I should give you more money.” I didn’t know what else to do at this point.

“Definitely don’t do that. You slipped on the floor and spilled some coffee. No big deal.”

My wits finally caught up to the situation and I chuckled. I eyed the floor by the door. “Let me clean this up,” I offered.

“You really don’t need to do that, Leo,” Casey said.

Her cheeks were getting pinker by the second. She looked up at me with the towel clutched in one hand and the key in the other. I took the key from her, my fingers brushing hers as I did. The brief touch was like a little bolt of lightning zipping up my arm.

Holy fucking hell, Casey was too cute. It wasn’t rational, but I came by for coffee all the time just to get a glimpse of her. There were lots of reasons why I shouldn’t be doing that.

I kept a firm grip on my coffee as I opened the door, so I didn’t screw this all up all over again. She was waiting with the towel still clutched in front of her.

“I owe you one,” I said.

She paused for a minute and then nodded. “You kinda do.”

I chuckled. “I’m glad you agree. What should I do?”

She cocked her head to the side, seeming to have found her composure as she looked up at me. A teasing glint entered her gaze. “I’m gonna have to think on that. I was closing when you came in. I could’ve told you we were done for the day. And then…” She waved the towel up and down in front of her chest. “I’ll think of the right price.”

I burst out laughing, and when she giggled in response, lust revved its engine. It was like a little kick, a jumpstart in my body. For a mess of reasons, my body had been pretty shut down lately.

“Well, you know I’ll be seeing you around. Just let me know what I can do. And, thank you again.”

After I left, Casey locked the door behind me. As I walked away, I realized I was actually looking forward to something. I hadn’t looked forward to anything in too damned long.