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‘No thank you.’
‘OK. Have a good evening. But…’
Mia hesitated, halfway across the shop. ‘Yes?’
‘I hope you’ll forgive me for saying so, but you look like you’ve had a day and a half of it.’
‘You could say that.’
‘Perhaps we could do each other a favour.’
‘How?’
‘Ophelia’s got me working on my own blends. I’d just started steeping an experimental chamomile, honeysuckle and lavender tea. If I’ve got it right, it should be perfect for relaxing after a long day. I could pour you a cup?’ His grin was so warm and friendly that Mia couldn’t help returning it.
‘How is that doing you a favour?’
‘Because this is fairly new to me, and I’m a bit nervous about giving it to Ophelia. Maybe you could give me feedback?’
‘Seems fair.’ Mia followed him to the small seating area at the back of the shop and sank into a comfy chair while he headed to the kitchen. She’d known Ophelia had taken on a shop assistant but hadn’t thought much about who they were. But if she’d tried to guess, she probably wouldn’t have pictured this guy with long, neatly tied brown hair, and brightly coloured ink swirled over both arms. She guessed he was probably in his late twenties or early thirties – close in age to her – older than she’d expected for a part-time shop assistant.
His heavy boots and faded jeans should have been at odds with the peaceful feeling Ophelia liked to create in her store, but as he clumped back towards her and placed a tray on the small table, she realised he fitted the shop perfectly.
‘Do you have any allergies?’
‘No.’
‘Brilliant.’ He balanced a strainer over a cup and poured the tea. ‘Help yourself to milk. And there’s honey, sugar or agave if you want a bit more sweetness.’
‘How would you recommend drinking it?’
‘As it’s poured.’ He blew softly on the steaming liquid in his cup.
Mia copied him and took a few moments to inhale the sweet steam before taking a sip. Flavours danced across her tongue, and her eyes widened in surprise.
‘What do you think?’
‘It’s delicious. Sweet, floral and fresh. It tastes how sitting in the garden on a summer’s day smells.’ Mia laughed. ‘That probably sounds silly.’
‘Not at all.’ He grinned. ‘That’s pretty much what I was going for.’
‘Then you’ve nailed it.’
‘Brilliant.’ His grin was warm and open. ‘I didn’t catch your name, by the way?’
‘I’m sorry. You were right when you said I’ve had a “day and a half” already. My manners are usually better. I’m Mia.’
‘Hello, Mia.’ He stretched a hand across the table. ‘I’m Aiden.’
‘Yeah, you said.’ His fingers were warm and strong as they wrapped around hers. ‘Probably because you’ve better manners than me.’
‘If that’s what you want to think. But maybe I’m only polite because I’m paid to be nice.’
‘So you’ll have me believe the rest of the time you’re not like this?’
‘Oh no.’ His eyes flashed with mischief. ‘I’m not nearly so well-behaved off the clock.’
Mia cracked up and had to pull her hand back to steady her cup before she dumped it in her lap. ‘I don’t believe that for a minute.’
