Tempting Prince Charming (Ever After #2) - Lauren Smith Page 0,1

hearts out over the mic…and he planned to be one of them.

“Oh my God, Chris Hemsworth just walked in.”

Veronica Hannigan jerked up under the cupboard as she put away creamer bottles in a small fridge, slamming her head against the bottom of the wood counter.

“Ow…” she hissed, then retreated from the cupboard and glanced at her employee Zelda, who was manning the coffee counter.

“What did you say?” she asked.

“Chris Hemsworth just walked into your shop.” Zelda muttered from the corner of her mouth before she changed her voice to greet a customer. “What can I get you?”

Veronica shoved the last bottle of creamer inside the fridge and got to her feet. The Chi-Bean was on the first floor of the five thousand square-foot brownstone she lived in. Her whole world and everything she cared about were underneath this roof. It had been her childhood home; she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, which was one of the reasons she’d spent her life’s savings to open up the coffee shop.

Finished with her customer, Zelda nudged Veronica with her elbow. “Over there.”

Just inside the door stood a man who was at least six foot four with dark gold hair and hazel green eyes. Veronica’s mouth dropped open. He did look like Chris Hemsworth, one of her favorite actors, but he clearly wasn’t that man.

The man wore a fine suit, though most of it was covered by a wool knee-length grey coat which only added to his mystique. He looked around the shop, taking in the bakery counters, the tables, and the stack of board games near the lit fireplace that kept out the October chill.

The man’s gaze touched upon her and Zelda briefly before moving on. It was like he was trying to read the history of the building itself as he examined the cozy shop’s interior. Veronica had worked hard to make the Chi-Bean warm and inviting. This business was all she had, and she was damn proud of it.

The man finally came toward the counter and Zelda artfully nudged Veronica out of the way. Veronica had to roll her eyes at the younger girl’s antics sometimes. Hot men were Zelda’s territory. That was the rule. Not that Veronica cared to argue. She had plenty to do running the shop, so tending the customers was rare for her. .

“What can I get you?” Zelda asked the man.

Veronica discreetly moved behind one of their espresso machines so she could watch Mr. Tall and Too Gorgeous place his order. The way a person took their coffee told her a lot about them. If she had to guess, this guy was a straight coffee guy: no decaf, black, and probably nothing else.

He studied the menu carefully, unbothered by the customers lining up behind him. It was nearly eight o’clock, one of her busier times because it happened to be open mic night, where singers could play for the small crowd already gathered.

“A large lemon ginger tea, please.” said the Chris Hemsworth look-alike. His voice was deep, a perfect baritone and almost melodic. Was that even a thing for a man’s voice? If it was, he had it in spades.

“No problem!” Zelda swiped his credit card before handing it back. “You should stick around. Our open mic night starts in a few minutes.”

“Anyone can sing, right?” he asked.

“Anyone who wants to, right boss?” Zelda shot a look at Veronica, who had to step away from her espresso shield to meet the demands of his soft but intense look.

“Yes, that’s right. Anyone can play. You just sign up over there by the stool.”

As he turned to leave, the man’s lips curved in a playful smile that made her heart flutter. The sensation was so unexpected she actually forgot to breathe. When she finally remembered, she gasped.

“You okay?” Zelda whispered.

Veronica pressed her palms on the counter. “Yeah…”

But she wasn’t. It had been six years since she felt like this. Six years since she’d last felt that zing of attraction. She wasn’t used to it, even more so because it was for a man she would likely never see again.

“Zelda, get the open mic night started. I’ll handle the counter.”

Zelda practically bounced with energy as she rushed around the counter toward the fireplace where the stool sat empty next to a well-loved guitar.

She grinned at the audience as she picked up the mic. “Welcome to our weekly open mic night.” Her green eyes twinkled as she fully embraced the spotlight. “Who’s ready to become the next internet signing sensation?