Frappe to Know You (The Coffee Loft Series) by Carly Greer

Author:Carly Greer [Greer, Carly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Daisy Lane Publishing LLC
Published: 2024-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

So it was both a bit of a bust, the rehearsal dinner being cancelled, and then also somewhat of a relief. She had a houseful of guests to entertain today and dinner for thirty, including the roasted beef tenderloin she’d planned for, would have taken a lot of her time without Bethany here to help. The change of plans, and the fact that she only needed to put out dinner for eight—nine if Hal showed up—made a much more relaxing day.

Over breakfast, and while the blizzard essentially still churned outdoors, albeit with what many agreed was a reduced wind, Mr. Adamczyk, Mark, and Alec collectively voiced their opinion, persuading Maren that there was little sense in clearing the still-falling snow or addressing the downed tree with any urgency, since no one was coming or going anytime soon. Though it blocked the rear driveway, the fallen pine was far removed from the guests’ vehicles, all parked in the circular drive at the front of the house.

Breakfast proceeded smoothly, with everyone seeming to enjoy the food, but frankly, Maren felt like a teenager all the while she sat at the dining room table, stealing shy glances at Alec, wondering if he felt, thought, or imagined the same things she had. She was visited by a thrilling sense of excitement at the prospect of a mutual attraction and then analyzed every fleeting glance and longer gaze, trying to decode potential signs of his thoughts and feelings. All very juvenile, she convinced herself, but then it had been a long, long time since anyone had stirred her interest as Alec Sullivan did.

Again, she was brought back to reality by several factors, first and foremost being his initial rudeness, how he’d judged Jasmine before meeting her and his vocal reservations about the wedding and then the other matter of how far away he lived. Still, and try as she might, she couldn’t escape his presence or her awareness altogether. And yet the butterflies in her stomach, provoked by any bit of attention aimed her way by him, were dampened a bit by apprehension and uncertainty.

She was almost relieved when Mrs. Adamczyk focused her attention on Maren after grilling Mark and Emily about their families, home, work, and their plans for having children—“Back in my day, we didn’t waste any time. I had four children by the time I was your age.”

“And what about you, Maren?” Mrs. Adamczyk pivoted, her mauve polished fingernails tapping on her coffee cup. “Jasmine’s been mentioning your name for years, but I feel I know so little about you. Are you from Willowbrook originally? Where are your parents? Local?”

Almost relieved, Maren amended.

“I grew up in Willowbrook,” she answered, choosing her words carefully. “My grandparents played a significant role in my life. It’s been a while since I’ve seen my parents.”

“That’s a shame, honey,” cooed Jasmine’s mom. “Where are your parents that you haven’t seen them?”

“Jean,” chided her husband for pressing on despite Maren’s obvious reticence.

“What? I’m just asking,” she defended and returned her attention to Maren.

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