My Irreplaceable Mate

ht mind thought it was a good idea to name a place with over 170 rainy days a year Thornmere? I had been stuck in this dreary pit for seven months

into my memory for the rest of m

tside. Naia and I were drowning in boredom, passing ti

ed, fiddling with the edge of her cleaning cloth. "Nobo

en if this place stayed empty for weeks, she'd find something for us

annoyance. "You're impossib

g for a customer who might make our day less miserable-and maybe even leave a tip. But instead of salvation, we were greeted by the

you at school?" I asked, h

her teeth flashing mischievously. "W

. These two were the only rays of light in this dreary town. If there wa

reshly baked muffins from the tray. "Th

s like little tornadoes,

declared, licking choc

warm smile. "Now hurry home-it look

!" they chimed in

bbed the mop to clean the trai

rost should pay you more. If it weren't for your muffins, nob

" I agreed w

y other day. Without your baking, this place would'

her curls playfully. "In two days, I'll be gone. I'

s a dump-but it's a little less d

place for too long,"

er searching for your place in the worl

I cared to admit, but I managed a ner

ack into place. "It'd be a waste for someone

I said, retreating to

or jingled again. Sylas and Rowan, two factory guards, tru

ylas!" I snapped. "I

!" he apologi

ine had decided to die yet again-I noticed the bell above the do

open, catching me off guard

ugh my mind as I braced for impact. But instead of h

lver hair seemed to shimmer even in the dull café light, and his piercing gray eyes seemed to g

The words slipped out b

ize how tall he was, how perfectly his black suit fit beneath a long, elegant

I stammered, flus

a voice so smooth and deep

turned to grab a menu from the counter

hispered, barely kee

her," I hissed, tryi

with unfiltered longing. "I'd have

own heart was pounding a

" he asked suddenly, his

ly, hiding my gloved hands beh

d, smirking as though

u?" I asked, desperate

" he said with a

my cheeks heating. "Our coffee machine

ffee you make," he said, h

, and I struggled to keep my com

olding mine. "Because," he said with a f