The Lawson Boys: Alex by Angela Verdenius

the counter and placing a drinks order pulled her
attention away from the man in question, and she welcomed the
diversion. However, no matter how busy she got, she was always
aware of Alex sitting in the booth talking to Paul, so it was a
relief when they finally left after paying Maryanne.
    Wiping down the
area around the espresso machine, she looked up when Maryanne
leaned in close and said with a wink, “Ahem.”
    Her eyebrows
rose.
    “Alex said he’d
be here at five thirty to pick you up.”
    “Oh.” Her gaze
dropped down to the cloth in her hand.
    “Talk about a
dark side to you, Harly!” Maryanne slapped her lightly on the arm.
“When were you going to tell me you were dating the Lawson
boy?”
    “I’m not dating
him.” Harly wiped around the edges of the machine. “We’re just
going out for a quick drink.”
    “That’s a
date.”
    “To talk about
some things.”
    “Really?”
Maryanne smirked. “Hot things? Naughty things? Lustful things?”
    “No. Get your
mind out of the gutter. It’s to talk about old times. Catch up. You
know.”
    “Yeah. After
that the lustful things start to happen. I know.” Maryanne winked
and leered.
    “Trust me, Alex
doesn’t have anything lustful in his mind when he’s with me.” Harly
moved further down the bench, hoping her friend would take the
hint.
    She should have
known better, which was proven when Maryanne moved right along with
her. “I saw him looking at you frequently while he was here.”
    “Thinking about
old times.” Inwardly, Harly winced. Not good old, times,
either . If her friend only knew.
    “He can keep a
good poker face, but trust me, it’s probably hiding his plans to
strip you naked, throw you on the floor and have his dirty way with
you.”
    Harly rolled
her eyes.
    “Maybe you
should knock off early tonight.”
    “What for?”
Harly stared at her.
    “To pretty
yourself up, of course.”
    “Of course?
Maryanne, this isn’t a date.”
    “If you say
so.”
    “I do say so.
He’s just an old acquaintance who wants to do a bit of reminiscing,
nothing else.”
    “Sure.”
Maryanne’s eyes were guileless.
    “Good.” With
relief, Harly continued to wipe down the bench.
    “But you can
still knock off early tonight.”
    Harly whirled
to glare at her.
    Maryanne’s
hands went up palm outwards. “Or not. Five thirty it is, then.”
    “Thank
you.”
    Maryanne turned
away, but not before Harly saw her grin and heard her add, “Hot
little waitress fantasy coming up.”
    Shaking her
head, Harly rinsed out the cloth. Maryanne, as always, was
incorrigible.
    The day
proceeded with its usual busy times and lulls, and by the time five
fifteen arrived Harly, Maryanne and Bill were doing the last
clean-up, aware that on a Wednesday night it would remain quiet now
except for a few stragglers who might come in for a takeaway
coffee.
    The door bell
tingled in its old-fashioned charming way and Harly glanced up to
see Alex entering. He’d obviously showered, going by his clean
t-shirt over which was the open, chequered flannel, long-sleeved
shirt he’d worn the previous night, the sleeves rolled up to just
below his elbows. The jeans hugged his lower body nicely. As he
came closer, she caught a whiff of shampoo and soap.
    Great. He was
all cleaned up and smelling good, while she smelled like coffee,
food, and was dressed in her work clothes.
    Not that it
mattered, she reminded herself almost straight away. This wasn’t a
date, just a simple talk. As simple as a talk about a lost baby
between them could be simple. Going by the previous night, it could
very well spiral into unpleasantness. Not a good thought.
    Alex, hands in
his pockets, stopped in front of her and nodded. “I’ll wait in the
car.”
    “No need,”
Maryanne butted in before Harly could say anything. “Harly’s ready
to go right now.”
    Maryanne the
matchmaker. Mentally, Harly did another eye roll.
    “Go get your
bag, sweetie.” Maryanne grinned widely at Alex while giving