Deep Green: Color Me Jealous with Bonus Content (23 page)

There’s one other person in here. A woman, about thirty, is sitting in one of the squishy chairs reading a romance novel titled
To Ache Is Life.
Without the racy cover, I would have assumed it was a book about ibuprofen or workout addicts. Every once in a while, she suddenly sniffles and grabs for a Kleenex. She’s drinking a triple-shot mocha and is only halfway through the book, so I’m assuming she’s planning on staying up tonight and reading.

The door opens, letting in a rush of cool night air. I quickly move my cup to the shelf under the counter. Drinking in front of customers is a definite no.

It’s Jen, and she’s by herself. I would take this as a bad sign except for the huge grin on her face.

“ Where’s the gent?” Jack calls from his chair.

“ Hey, Jack. Oh!” she sighs and clasps her hands at her heart. The woman reading the romance novel sets it down to watch Jen. “Oh, Maya, he’s so
dreeeamy!
He’s so sweet and nice and funny and charming and — ”

“ Not here?” Jack says again. I grin.

“ He’s parking the car, you big dolt.” She comes over to the counter and pulls off her soft brown jacket. “Maya, he’s adorable. You’ll love him.”

“ Oh yeah?” I pull my cup back out from under the counter. “I take it dinner was good.”

“ It was wonderful. We went to Gina’s.”

I nod appreciatively. “Nice, very nice.” I lean back down and grin at her conspiratorially. “You obviously like him.”

“ First impression …” She glances to make sure he isn’t inside yet and then looks back at me, voice lowered. “He’s great.”

“ Good! Yay!”

“ Hush, here he comes.” She immediately straightens, perfect posture back in place.

The door opens, and I gasp.

It’s Travis Clayton.

Table of Contents

TrueColors Book 3:Torch RedComing in July 2004

CHAPTER ONE