Love and Lattes by Heather Thurmeier Read Free Book Online Page A

over there." She nodded in the direction of the woman who was still talking loudly into her phone. "She doesn't have a title, just a topic."
    "That customer being a pain?"
    Julia laughed. "Yep. A little bit."
    "Don't worry, Mrs Dupree's awful to everyone, myself included. So what's she barking about this time? I'm sure she has some crisis that needs immediate attention, like a chip in her nail polish or something."
    "You know her?"
    "Sadly, everyone here knows her. But I'm not so sure anyone actually likes her. So, what're we looking for?"
    "She needs a book on planting projects for kids to give her nanny. I've looked but I can't seem to find anything."
    "We'll find something. Don't worry." He looked along the bottom shelf for a moment before standing and running a finger along the top shelf. "How about this one?" He held up a book with colorful pictures of flowers and kids running in a field adorning the glossy cover.
    A grin spread across her face, making her eyes twinkle like the sun reflecting off the warm Caribbean Sea. Reaching out and taking her hand, he helped her up from the floor. Her skin was soft and warm and gone all too quickly from his. The urge to reach out and pull her against his body threatened to overpower his judgment. To take her in his arms again and kiss her, taste her mouth on his. Pushing those unprofessional thoughts from his mind took all of his resistance.
    Why wouldn't she just quit so he could have the chance to know her as a girlfriend instead of only as an employee?
    They stood staring at each other for a moment, not bothering to move. He knew he should take a step back, but he couldn't force himself to. Why should he, when standing here with Julia felt so right?
    "Ahem." Rebecca cleared her throat loudly from beside him. He jumped a little, startled she stood so close to them. He hadn't even noticed her walk up.
    "Hey, Rebecca. What's up?" He hoped he sounded casual and not like a teenager caught sneaking out of the house in the middle of the night—although, sneaking around in the dark sounded good, too, as long as Julia was involved.
    Rebecca's eyes flickered back and forth between them, before she answered. "Nothing. I was just walking by and I thought I'd check in with Julia to see how she's doing." Rebecca turned to face Julia directly. "So, finding your way around okay?"
    Chase thought he heard a familiar tone in Rebecca's voice, the one she used every time she found him talking to a woman. He hated that tone. He sighed, knowing this conversation wasn't going to go anywhere productive.
    Julia took a step back from Chase. He wondered if she could sense Rebecca's tone, too, or if her reaction to Rebecca's presence was just coincidence. "I am, thanks. I was just helping a customer and then I needed help from Mr Bloom.
    "I'm just Chase. Mr Bloom makes me feel old." He laughed, hoping to lighten the mood, which had changed drastically since Rebecca found them.
    "Great." Rebecca sounded like she was feeling anything but great. "I'm glad Chase was able to help you. Next time, maybe you can ask me for help instead of bothering the boss."
    "It wasn't a bother at all. I was just passing through and thought I'd lend a hand to the new girl. That's all." Chase motioned toward the front of the store. "Who's up front?"
    "Jessie."
    "Maybe you should head back. She hasn't been here long enough to leave on her alone to handle all the customers herself for too long."
    As though the store could read his mind, a young voice came over the loud speaker. "Manager to the front with the key, please. Manager to the front."
    Rebecca's eyes darted between them again quickly. "I guess I should go. Julia, when you're done with those books, there are more waiting."
    "I'll be up there as soon as I put these away." Julia motioned to the stack of books and magazines at her feet.
    Chase watched Rebecca leave before turning back to Julia. "So, this book should be fine for Mrs Dupree." He held the book out to her like a