Page 12 of Love Decoded

Then she looks away. And when she looks back, the adorable is gone and fiery takes its place.

“I hadn’t decided,” she says in a bored voice. Then she shrugs. “Honestly, I was surprised you even showed up.”

A lazy grin tugs at my mouth, the one that’s won me a dozen cases and as many dates. “Why wouldn’t I show up? We had a date.”

For some reason, the word date makes her flush deepen.

I gesture at the seat across from her. “Since we’re here…may I sit?”

She looks like she wants to say no. But she’s also thrown off by me approaching her, so she gives me a stiff nod.

I unbutton my jacket once more and take a seat. She watches my every motion like a hawk.

Before I can ask her anything, a waitress appears by our table with a smile.

“Hi, folks. I see half your party has already ordered, but I thought I’d check in to see if anyone needs anything else. Coffee? Tea? A dessert?”

I send her a warm smile. “I’m okay, but thank you for checking.” I turn toward Charli to find her still watching me. “Do you want something, Charlotte?”

I could’ve guessed the use of her full name would earn me a reaction, but her nose scrunch is more than I could have hoped for.

“I’ll take a double espresso and a cannoli.”

My eyebrows lift. “Oh, that sounds good. I’ll take one of those, too.”

The waitress nods. “You got it. I’ll be right back with that.”

Once she walks off, I return my attention to Charli—not that it was ever really anywhere else.

“You drink a double espresso at”—I check my watch—“9:26 at night?” It’s partly a jab at her making me wait this long, but I also want to get her talking a little before we jump into work talk. She’s too on edge right now.

The question lands where I want it to. Her lips twist into an amused smirk as she says, “Is that late?” Her eyes drop to the cup in my hand. “What time do you stop drinking coffee, old man?”

I want to let a gigantic grin take over my face, but I control the urge. Instead, I tsk and give her a scolding look. “That wasn’t very professional. Just because you’re fresh out of high school doesn’t make me old.”

Her amusement twists into a glare. “I’m twenty-three,” she growls.

Interesting. I was right. She’s a decade younger than me.

I tip my head. “My apologies. Fresh out of college.”

She scowls, her eyes dropping to my cup again. “What are you drinking? Chamomile tea?”

My lip twitches with amusement. “Double espresso.”

Her eyes widen. I’ve managed to surprise her.

With perfect timing, the waitress appears with Charli’s espresso and two plates with cannolis. She places everything before us and asks, “Can I get you folks anything else?”

“We’re good for now, thank you.” I take another sip of my drink as Charli lifts her own cup to her lips. “So,” I start, “are you a night owl? Or just one of those people who can drink a shitload of caffeine and then fall asleep ten minutes later?”

I seem to have brought her guard down enough that she answers, “Both. You?”

“Also both. How late did you work last night?”

She shrugs. “Last time I looked at the clock, it was four something.”

I let out an appreciative whistle. “Is it easier to hack into people’s lives while they’re sleeping?”