The thought of what she’d done on Friday night made her face burn. Phone sex. Her. Yet Cain had made it seem not only exciting, but also totally natural. Katie had to admit, if only to herself, that she never would have done it without Cain’s suggestions and encouragement. The thing that surprised her most was how much she’d liked it. For the first time in her life, she felt a sexual freedom that she’d never experienced. She’d done more things out of character since she’d met him than she’d ever done in her entire life.
By the time Monday morning arrived, she was glad to go to work. She obviously needed a dose of reality to get over her miserable weekend. After tossing and turning all night long, she’d decided she might as well go to work and be productive. When she arrived early for work on Monday morning, the lights were already on in the kitchen.
Katie let herself in through the front door, taking care to lock it behind her. She tucked her gloves in her coat pocket and dumped her purse on the countertop. Sliding behind the front counter, she started four different kinds of coffee. Even though it was only a few minutes after six, from the delicious smells filling the air, Lucas had been hard at work for quite some time.
Katie slung her purse back over her shoulder and pushed her way in through the kitchen door, striving for her normal cheerfulness. “Good morning.” She breezed by Lucas, planting a kiss on his cheek as she passed him on her way to the office.
Pulling open the office door, she slipped inside, breathed a sigh of relief, and began to remove her coat and boots. She’d passed the first test. There was no way she wanted Lucas to notice she wasn’t her usual self. He’d ask questions until he got answers. And right now, she didn’t have any answers to give him.
It was only when she was tying the laces on her white tennis shoes that it occurred to her that Lucas hadn’t spoken. In her own desperate bid for normalcy she had failed to notice that all was not right with him. Giving her laces a final tug, she stood and pulled a clean “Coffee Break” apron on over her long-sleeved white shirt. Satisfied that she was ready for the day, she strolled back to the kitchen and watched Lucas out of the corner of her eye.
Outwardly, everything seemed fine. He looked the same as he always did. Big, solid and steady. His face was a study in concentration as he worked. There seemed to be nothing physically wrong until she noticed the set of his shoulders. Tense. That was the only word to describe him. He lacked the fluidness of movement he usually possessed in the kitchen. Normally, watching Lucas bake was like watching a beautifully choreographed dance, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, but always a joy to behold. This morning he looked about a step behind.
Taking her time, she readied the staff coffeepot in the kitchen and set it to brew. All the while she kept her eye on Lucas. He continued to pour ingredients into a bowl, stopping to stir or measure occasionally. The scrape of the spoon on the side of the metal mixing bowl and the water dripping from the coffeemaker were the only sounds. Katie said nothing as she waited for the coffee to brew and filled two mugs when it was ready.
Carrying both mugs, she plunked one down in front of Lucas. “You seem like you could use this.” She climbed onto the stool next to him and waited.
“Yeah, thanks.” Reaching forward, he snagged the mug and took a large swallow before he finally looked at her. His eyes were bloodshot and the lines around his eyes seemed more pronounced.
“What’s wrong?” Unable to restrain herself any longer, she went to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and just held him. At first he held himself stiff, but when she showed no signs of letting go, he finally sighed and his arms drew her closer.
His heart thumped steadily beneath her ear. He inhaled deeply and then exhaled slowly, relaxing as he did. Lucas just stood there for a moment, breathing deeply and holding her securely in his arms. Finally, he gave her one final squeeze and pulled away. Reluctantly, she released him.
He rubbed a hand across his tired eyes before reaching into his apron pocket and pulling out a folded sheet of white paper. “Read it.” He tossed it on the counter in front of her and crossed to the oven to check on pans of cookies he had baking inside.
She lifted the seemingly innocent piece of paper, unfolded it and began to read. Paying no attention to the sender, she went right to the heart of the letter and read the entire thing. Then she read it again. And again. Finally, her eyes went to the top of the letter to the corporate logo, but the company, E. S. Investors, meant nothing to her.
Lucas removed four steaming pans of cookies from the oven and placed them on a rack to cool. The smell of chocolate chips, oatmeal, and coconut seemed to mock her instead of offering their usual comfort.
“This…” she trailed off and began again. “This can’t be right. They can’t kick you out of this building. You don’t rent from them.”
Lucas tensed for a moment and then turned back to the cookie trays. Using a large metal spatula, he scooped the cookies from the pan. Methodically and carefully, he moved them a few at a time. “Apparently, they can. This E. S. Investors has bought the building and not only ours. There’s quite a few businesses in the next two buildings as well who are going to have to relocate.”
“But you have a lease.” Katie was in shock. Coffee Breaks had been in this spot since it opened almost fifteen years ago.
“And it’s set to expire in a few months. I’ve always signed a five-year lease.” Lucas piled some cookies on a plate and carried them to the counter. The early morning sun was starting to peek in through the small kitchen window, making the kitchen a warm and cozy spot. The two of them had spent many such mornings together, sipping coffee and sampling cookies.
Pulling up another stool, he sat next to her and took another sip of his coffee. “I was expecting a lease renewal, not this.”
“Can’t we fight it?” Katie could feel anger begin to override her sorrow and fear. That some nameless, faceless corporation could turn her life upside down was just too much for her to take.
“It’s all perfectly legal.” Lucas reached out and plucked a warm cookie from the plate. Taking a bite, he chewed thoughtfully as steam rose from the uneaten half still clutched in his hand. “Actually, it’s good of them to let the leases expire rather than evicting everyone. I did some research over the weekend, and this company is rich enough to buy out the leases if they wanted to and close everyone down tomorrow. At least I’ve got some time to find a new space.”
Katie stared at Lucas in amazement. “How can you be so calm about this? This is your life.”
His fist slammed down hard on the counter, making her jump. “What do you expect me to do, Katie?” He didn’t yell, and the very softness of his voice was more frightening.
Taking a deep breath, he gained control before facing her again. “I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“Oh, Lucas.” She held her hand out to him and waited until he took it. “You don’t scare me. This does.” She poked the offending letter with her index finger. “It will change everything.”
“Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.” Lucas moved away from her and pulled out another clean bowl from the cupboard. Placing it on the counter, he then began assembling ingredients. It was all done automatically. Lucas had a phenomenal memory and rarely used a recipe anymore.
“How can you even think that, let alone say it?”