The Billionaire’s Burden(33)

“It’s amazing.” I whispered across the table, “You are so lucky you don’t have to taste Lucy’s coffee every day.”

He chuckled, shaking his head, “Believe me, I can smell it in my own apartment. I’m more than content not knowing what I’m missing.”

Curious, I tilted my head, “You can smell it through the walls, really? I never realized how strong the smell was.” I laughed, “I’ll have to tell Lucy she’s gassing out the neighbors.”

Eli paused for a moment, setting his mug back down on the table so clumsily that the brown liquid spilled onto the table, “The walls are thin, you know.” He muttered hastily, shrugging.

I shrugged his words off, watching as Aubrey flitted from table to table like a little coffee laden butterfly.

“Do you come here a lot?” I asked, watching the satisfied grins of the patrons. There was magic in them there coffee mugs.

Eli nodded, leaning back in his chair, hands clasping behind his head, “It’s comfortable here.” He said quietly, staring up at the bright colored ceiling.

“It’s happy here.” I added.

This place, even though it was just a tiny little coffee shop, basically in the middle of nowhere, felt like an oasis in the desert.

The jovial colors, the amazing coffee, the bright smile on Aubrey’s painted lips, everything just swirled together into happiness. I could definitely see why Eli loved to come here. Though, for someone with social anxiety, there were certainly a lot of people buzzing about.

“I’ve known Aubrey forever.” Eli added as he leaned forward once more, his elbow resting on the strong wood of the table, “She’s like my big sister.”

I looked down at the half empty mug clasped in my hands, watching as the frothy milk on top swirled. There was a heart in the foam, I realized, though now it looked like it had fallen apart, a soggy little cloud.

“Do you have family? Any real sisters?” I asked, tilting my head.

Eli nodded, stroking his chin as though he had to contemplate the question, “I do.” He finally said, “I have a large family.”

“That must be nice.” I murmured, smiling faintly.

“And you?” Eli asked, reaching across the table to tug my hand.

The moment our flesh contact, it was like an electric bolt jerked through my flesh, sizzling all the way up my veins. I jerked back, startled, staring at my tingling fingers, the question forgotten between the abrupt tingling of my brain and the sizzling in my hands.

Eli laughed uncomfortably, rubbing his own hand, “Damn static electricity…” He mumbled, though his eyes were wide.

With a shake of my head, I folded my hands in my lap.

Even still, I could feel something churning inside of me, like fire searing slowly through my body. Goose bumps erupted down the flesh of my arms, sweat prickling my brow. I wiped at my face hastily as Eli stared at me in concern.

“Are you okay?” He whispered, glancing towards Aubrey.

“The caffeine rush.” I mumbled, “Must be hitting me hard. I bet Lucy always makes decaf or something.”

I tried to chuckle, but it rasped out my dry throat like a witch’s cackle.

Eli stood, walking towards Aubrey’s counter. She looked at him, then back at me, grabbing a big glass of water and bringing it over.

She knelt down, setting it in front of me as she rubbed my back. Her hands were burning warm, adding to the fire inside of me.

“Drink some water, Jade.” She said quietly, “I do make our stuff extra strong here.”

Her big brown eyes shifted between us, highlighter pink lips in a stiff, unnatural line.

As I slowly drank the water, the coolness of the liquid began to fill me, evening out the fire that still lingered hungrily in my veins.

Aubrey stood, giving a satisfied nod. Around us, the other patrons watched curiously.

“Maybe you should take Jade home.” Aubrey suggested, smile once more plastered on her mouth, “Come back and visit us soon.”

With that, she turned on her heel, walking back to her counter once more.

Slowly, the other customers resumed their own conversation, though their eyes lingered on the both of us as Eli stood, reaching out hesitantly to take my hand and help me to my feet.

This time, no electricity coursed through me, though I was feeling a bit too dizzy to have even noticed it.

His strong, muscled arm wrapped around my waist, he led me back to the bright red jeep waiting outside.

Though it was scorching hot outside, the balmy breeze against my face caressed me gently, whipping my hair back over my shoulders.

“How you doin’?” Eli asked as he lifted me up into the passenger side seat of the vehicle delicately, as though I weighed as much as a sack of feathers. Eli was stronger than I would have guessed.