Page 4 of Bearly Hot

Chapter 3

Gianna

The following morning,I wake up with a slight twinge in my hand but a grin on my face that refuses to budge—even when I catch sight of my espresso-stained shirt in the hallway mirror. It’s a brand-new day at Rise and Grind, and I have a feeling it’s going to be a bearable one, ha-ha, unlike yesterday’s coffee catastrophe.

I stroll into the shop, feeling the cool morning air that Glacier Pass likes to boast clinging to my skin. Inside, the peaceful hum of Bertha, my once-rebellious espresso machine, is noticeably even-tempered. Grant and Gabe played the hero cards yesterday, calling in a repairman who’s finally gotten Bertha to cease her fiery revolts. Praise be to whatever mechanical deities they prayed to.

Alice is already here, tying on her apron like she’s gearing up for a championship match. I wave, still impressed at how fast she’s picked up the art of coffee-making. In fact, she’s handling Bertha like she’s been dealing with this beast for years.

“You know, at this rate, you’re going to hit barista wizard status faster than expected,” I tell her, sounding both impressed and amused.

She beams back at me, sliding a perfectly foamed cappuccino across the counter to its eagerly waiting customer. “Thank you.”

The shop gradually fills up as the morning rush approaches. The usual clang of cups and chatter of customers fills the air, and I bask in the comforting hustle of it all. There’s a rhythm to the madness, and oh, does it feel good when everything gels together.

During a rare lull, the door opens with a gentle jingle. Dr. Sawyer Silva walks in with purpose, looking all yummy, and I feel my inner grizzly wake up and stretch. As our eyes meet, a shiver runs through my body at the hungry look in his eyes.

He’s freaking gorgeous. My hand completely stopped throbbing the second he walked into the exam room yesterday. My inner bear woke up and screamed, “Mine,” in my ear before I had time to take a breath. The bear shifter is the kind of tall that makes you feel small in all the right ways, even though I’m taller than most human women. He’s got to be close to seven feet tall, and I’m betting his presence dominates any room he walks into.

Sawyer's dark, tousled hair gives him an effortlessly rugged look like he just rolled out of bed and still looks like a magazine model. My fingers itch to see if it’s as soft as it appears and I clench them at my side to resist the urge. His aqua-blue eyes capture mine, vibrant against his slightly tanned skin and sparkling with an intriguing mix of humor and warmth. There’s a mischievous glint that suggests he’s always in on some secret.

A neatly trimmed beard frames his strong jawline, adding a touch of sophistication to his rugged charm, while his smile is utterly disarming and laced with hints of mischief. And then there’s his body. Good Lord, I can barely resist the urge to fan myself. He’s packed with muscles on top of muscles, an impressive physique that says he can handle anything thrown his way. And my inner bear is definitely ready to throw a lot at him.

“Good morning, Dr. Silva.” I swallow, greeting him with a nod, teasing just lightly. “What can we make for you?”

He chuckles, an easy-going sound that makes me think the bear in him is content today. “Since we’re going to know each other very well, you should call me Sawyer.” My inner grizzly bear is ready to get to know him, but I tell the hussy to sit back and let me run the show. “I’d like a double espresso, please.”

I already know the universe has chosen him as my fated mate, but I don’t plan to dive headlong into an eternity-long relationship. No, I’m intent on making this journey interesting for both of us. Bears like their comforts, but they also enjoy a good adventure.

I carefully make his coffee and hand it to him. Our palms touch as I hand the cup to him, and I have to wrangle my inner bear into submission before she launches me over the glass counter to climb his body like a tree.

“Thank you.” He smiles and I feel my ovaries ready to explode. My inner bear is too busy naming our future cubs to cause much trouble.

He stands there for just a second longer, looking as though he has something more to say but decides against it. Instead, with a nod and another smile, he makes his way toward the exit. “See you tomorrow, Gianna.” Why does that sound like a threat?

As Sawyer exits, I glance at Alice wiping down the already gleaming espresso bar. “Is it just me, or is he, like, absurdly cute for a doctor?” she says, not missing a beat.

I laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah, he’s not bad. Definitely bearable.” I wiggle my eyebrows and her groan at the pun is drowned by the bell announcing another wave of coffee lovers, but I’m grinning from ear to ear. There’s something special brewing here, and it’s definitely not just the coffee.

I’ll admit it,my hand still stings a little from the well-aimed coffee incident, but every morning when I wrap it around my mug, I feel oddly grateful to Bertha for bringing Dr. Sawyer Silva into my life.

For the past few mornings, Sawyer has been as consistent as clockwork. At precisely 8:15, he steps into Rise and Grind, looking like someone airbrushed the morning chill straight out of his clothes, and as if he was built effortlessly to handle anything from medical emergencies to flirting like a pro.

On his second day, he brought me a mix tape, claiming it was the perfect blend to listen to while running a bustling café. Turns out it was a cleverly mixed compilation of relaxing tunes to complement the insanity of early-morning caffeine addicts. That tape's been on replay ever since.

Each morning, he gets bolder with our exchanges as he waits for his espresso, and I admit I’m enjoying his playful flirtations way too much. My grizzly senses are tingling, though the human side of my mind insists on playing it cool.

Unfortunately, my three brothers—Grant, Gabe, and Dillon—seem to have caught wind of our merry little morning routine, and there's no 'undo' button for brotherly meddling.

By mid-week, they’re stationed in the café at their table of choice smack dab in the middle of the shop, where they have an unobstructed view of the entire exchange.

The third morning, I’m all set for the normal bustle when I notice my trio of brothers seated with extraordinarily large goofy grins on their faces. Fudge me. This spells trouble. They’re all wearing the kind of grins only mischievous bears planning some heckling could have. I narrow my eyes suspiciously, bracing for whatever shenanigans they’ve concocted.

Sure enough, at 8:15 sharp, Sawyer comes strolling in with that characteristic relaxed demeanor, offering me an easy, charming smile as he approaches. Grant, Gabe, and Dillon call out greetings to Sawyer by name as if they've been friends for decades.

Sawyer, bless him, rolls with it, waving casually and shooting them a polite nod. “Morning, guys.”

I get started on his double espresso, and we fall into our familiar exchange. Today’s topic consists of whether grizzly bears make better mates than polar bears. I fling a few playful quips at him, relishing every retort he sends back with relaxed confidence. “When did you realize my three brothers are polar bear shifters?”