Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 38053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
“Will you be judging?” I try to step between her and Harrison.
Petra holds a hand up to her heart. “No, I won’t be judging. It’ll all be online.”
I smile as the idea takes root. “It’s a great idea, Petra. Thank you.” For people to vote, they’ll have to come into the shop to try one.
“So, start creating. I’ll give you both a week to come up with a recipe and add it to your menu. It’s going to be so much fun.” Petra saunters off, and I’m left gaping after her, trying to think about what recipe I should use for this latte.
“It’s so exciting, right?” Lennon asks me.
“Yeah. I think so.”
We’re all still standing in a crowded bar, and Harrison stands next to me. He’s tall, slender, packed with toned muscles. His dark hair has that styled, messy look. It also appears like he runs his hands through his hair a lot. It’s longer on top, and it’s thick and makes me wonder what it would be like to run my fingers through it.
When I was pretending to work in his shop I never got a chance to really check him out, and now that I have…I want more.
I want to see the tattoos on his arms. I can only see traces of ink dancing down his forearms from underneath his shirt.
I push the thoughts away as I think about the next few weeks. The work I’ll need to do to come up with the cleverest of all lattes. Something with my two favorite flavors—praline and gingerbread.
“It sucks we’re meeting under these kinds of circumstances,” Harrison says. “All in good fun, though.” He laughs, but Paxton steps closer.
“Don’t let him fool you. Harrison is very competitive. Did he tell you he won prom king in high school?” Paxton nudges his friend.
“I voted for him back then,” Lindy interjects, sidling up closer to Harrison.
“And I thank you for that,” Harrison says back with a charming smile.
Gag.
Lindy flirts with anyone, and I don’t know why my blood turns slightly warm at the sight of her flirting with Harrison.
I shouldn’t care.
Right?
Right?
“Well, I think I’ve had enough excitement for one evening.” I pull Lennon aside. “I’m going to head home for the evening.”
She pouts. “No, stay.”
I shake my head. “No, I should really be going. I have to be up bright and early tomorrow, but you stay and have fun.” I want to ask her to spy on Harrison for me. Let me know what happens with the Lockhart sisters. But instead, I say my goodbyes and leave the bar, leaving Lennon behind to hang out with the growing crowd of adoring fans Harrison appears to have in this small town.
Why’d he move back anyway? Things were going just great for me before he decided to come back to Magnolia Point and regain his crown.
Prom king. Ha.
Little does he know I was crowned prom queen of my high school, and I’m probably the most competitive person I know. Just ask my family. I’ve held the Frost Family Cup for years until my sister’s boss won it a few months ago. At the time I was furious, but now that they’re dating, and the cutest couple I’ve ever seen together, I don’t mind Nicholas having the cup. I did tell him next year he’d better watch out because I’m gunning for him.
I glance at the Diddled Fiddle one last time before I head home, trying to erase thoughts of who Harrison will be heading home with tonight.
Why do I care?
I have a latte contest to prepare for.
And I’m going to win.
No matter what.
Chapter 4
Harrison
Ijump up, tangled in the covers, and glance next to me. My pounding heart slows when I realize I’m alone. I run my fingers through my hair and drop my face into my hands. The dream I just had about February Frost was a little too real. I can still feel her skin pressed against mine.
I groan as I push the covers off me and get out of bed. “It was a dream, relax,” I say to myself. This competition that Petra came up with has me all kinds of mixed up. I need to win, but at the same time, I saw the look on February’s face when she confessed her reason for being at Mug Life.
An ex.
I don’t know the story and it’s not my business, but from what Paxton said, the guy really messed her up.
I twist the shower knob, the rush of water beginning its warm cascade. Stepping into the shower, I immerse myself under the powerful stream, feeling the hot water pound against my body. As I stand enveloped in the warmth, my overwhelming thoughts occupy my mind. Breakups suck, there’s no doubt about that. As shitty as it is, I can’t let that stand in my way of winning this competition. Neither can the sexy woman I saw last night.