Latte Darling: Book Two of The Darling Series

The rainstick sounds as the front door opens and I smile at the man walking in. “Hey, Benny!”

He grins back, making a show of looking around the place, “Still looks amazing!”

I laugh, “Of course. Gotta keep the magic of the bean alive.”

He makes his way behind the counter, meeting me at the register.

“Seriously, Benny, you’re a lifesaver.”

He hooks his thumbs in his signature suspenders and rocks back on his heels, “I’m hardly that. Plus, you know I’ll never turn down a shift out here at The Original BeanBag.” He says the last three words with wide eyes.

“She’s a legend,” I sigh, only half joking.

Benny’s helped out here before – even though he’s full time at one of the Minneapolis locations – but I still take a moment to show him around and remind him where everything is.

“So,” Benny starts after we finish our refresher tour, “where’s this wedding you’re going to?”

“At some event center in Bloomville.”

Benny tips his head back and forth, “Nice, nice. That’s not too far. Love the dress by the way.”

“Thanks,” I pinch the material of the skirt.

I know Axel liked the other one, but I started stressing out about meeting his family while wearing something that might be perceived as too sexy so I started tearing everything out of my closet. He told me to stop worrying, but that’s never helpful. So, I made him help me.

When I put this one on – a black midi dress with a scoop neck and sleeves that go to my elbows – I could almost feel the burn of Axel’s gaze through the fabric. It made me think maybe this one was too sexy too, but then Axel melted my heart by saying he’d look at me that way no matter what I was wearing. So I stuck with it.

He dropped me off about an hour ago so I could meet with Benny, but he should be back to pick me up soon. And he’ll be wearing the same all-black outfit he wore to Elouise’s wedding. And I can’t freaking wait to see him.

“It’s kinda fun to get dressed up. Not so fun to learn about it last minute- the same time half my employees come down with one illness or another.” I shake my head and pull out a small takeout box that I’d hidden under the counter.

Benny cracks open the lid, smiling at the cinnamon roll inside, “Their loss is my gain.”

“Well Griff should be here soon. He’s a solid worker so you shouldn’t have any trouble.”

“Damnnnn, please tell me that’s not Griff. I don’t know if I could handle that.” Benny stares out the front door.

My lips are already pulling into a smile because there’s only one man I know that causes that reaction in everyone. Gender and sexual preferences aside.

The door opens, and Axel fills the frame.

And he looks fine as hell.

The way we’re staring at each other must give away the fact we’re together, because Benny sighs. “Honestly, how is it that literally every woman I know is hooked up with a total beefcake?”

I snicker. Axel is certainly a beefcake.