Frost

8. December

When Summer arrived at work, the sun had already hidden itself behind some unwelcome clouds and a cold wind had picked up while she was showering. It was quickly becoming cold again, which—to Summer's disdain—was irritating, especially after such a promising morning. Still, her mood wasn't quite killed as she walked into her shop, remembering the night before with all the sweet things Jack had done to her.

The coffee shop was booming and poor Bev was rushing around, trying to handle all the orders herself. There was a long line and people were staring to grow impatient. Feeling an awful guilt in her stomach, Summer immediately rushed behind the counter, picked up her apron and begun helping.

"Where the hell were you?" Bev asked while pouring milk into a cup before lidding it. "I've been stressing out here. Latté for Brandon!"

"I'm so sorry," Summer apologized, filling out a mocha order. "This is the last time I'll be late, I just forgot to set the alarm."

"You've been losing track a lot these days," Bev noted, giving her a quick eye before turning back to the coffee maker. "Could it have something to do with the mysterious phone call you got from a certain silver-haired man the other day?"

Unable to keep the creepy smile from creeping onto her lips, Summer had to look away and pretend something by the coffee cups caught her interest. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, come on," Bev snorted, then quickly called out someone's name whom then came and got their drink. "You can't pretend to not know what I'm talking about. Not with me. I'm your BFF, I know when you're acting apart."

Summer surrendered. There was no point in hiding it from her. She just didn't want the whole town to know what she was up to. Especially because the thing between her and Jack was completely casual. "Can we talk about this later, please? Right now we need to focus on work."

"Fine," Bev agreed. "But I'm going to want details sooner or later."

~~~

As Summer crossed the parking lot that late afternoon, picking up more milk and cream from the store, a flicker of silver caught her eye. Stopping up, she looked towards Jack who across the parking lot was talking to another guy with youthful looks and brown hair. Jack was pointing at something in the snow with his cane, then pointed to the landscape around them. Summer had to assume this was one of his colleagues.

Jack suddenly caught sight of her as he turned around. He sent her a wide smile before speaking a few words to his colleague who turned and smiled at her as well. Before she knew it, they were walking up to her.

"Summer," Jack greeted her, "Out running errands for your shop again?"

"We were low on milk," She confessed with a shy chuckle and looked at his colleague. He looked so youthful, handsome. Brown stubbles caressed his cheeks and jawline and his eyes were the warmest she had ever seen.

"She's the one I've been telling you about," Jack said to him, smiling discretely. "Nick, this is Summer, she owns the little coffee shop down the street. Summer, this is my associate and longtime friend, Nickolas Saint."

"It's very nice to meet you," She said and politely held out her hand, the one that wasn't carrying a heavy bag of milk.

Nick squeezed it and smiled, "Pleasure is mine. I understand from Jack here that you make a mean cuppa joe?"

Blushing, Summer shrugged modestly. "It's alright, I've been told."

"I'd love to come by sometime and try it, if you don't mind."

"Of course!" She smiled welcomingly. "Feel free to drop by anytime."

"I will," He promised, just as his phone started ringing. Frowning, he pulled it out and looked at the screen, then smiled apologetically. "Excuse me, this is business."

"No problem." As Nick made a polite bow with his head and walked away to take his call, Summer turned to Jack who was still smiling at her.

"I'm so sorry I rushed out of your house this morning," He then quietly said, taking a step closer. "I felt awful about it."

"What? Oh no, don't," Summer quickly brushed off. "I practically kicked you out, I was in such a rush myself. Obviously you and your friend had business to attend to as well."

"Yeah..." He said. "We are in a bit of a rush. Nick needs to get back to New York once he's done here. The work we do here has to be reported back, and well... we are awfully behind schedule."

"I'm sorry to hear, I hope you'll manage to catch up." She suddenly felt a little guilty. Had he been too preoccupied with her that he had neglected his work? Truth be told, she had done the same. Then again, he started all this.

"I'm sure we will," Jack chuckled, but then took a step closer, looking down at her, "But that doesn't mean I want to stop this. I keep my promises and I intend to keep you warm all throughout the winter, Summer. If you'll let me."

Summer looked up at him and bit her lip. Should they really continue this if they were both so busy? Was it really a good idea?

She didn't get more time to think before Nick came back, putting his phone away and smiling at the two of them. Jack took a hurried step back, looking down at his cane. "Sorry about that. There's been an incident at work, I have to head back tomorrow," He looked at Summer apologetically. "I'll have to try your coffee another time, I'm afraid."

"Of course," Summer smiled understandingly. "You're always welcome if you return to Whitefish."

"Thank you," He reciprocated her smile, then turned to Jack. "Shall we?"

Jack nodded, then looked at Summer. "Yeah. I'll see you around, Summer."

"Of course."

• • •

How much am I fucking you guys up with those pictures, btw? Lmao.