Free Accidental Action Star by Emily Evans Page B

texted me to meet him instead of offering to pick me up, but he was from Los Angeles. I’d never dated a guy who wasn’t a Texan. There were bound to be differences.
    The dry California air wafted over my bare arms as I walked across the parking lot toward Max. He met me halfway.
    “Hi.”
    “Hey.” He didn’t offer to hold my hand. I didn’t mind, because mine were kind of sweaty.
    He turned left.
    I frowned and followed him, doing my best to keep up in the high heels. He reached the door to a coffee shop. I blinked but did my best not to show my surprise. Coffee?
    We went straight to the counter. The barista caught sight of Max and the bean grinder whirred to an abrupt halt. She rushed over and elbowed her male co-worker toward the register. “I got this order.” She looked at Max under eyelashes coated with blue mascara. “What can I get you?”
    Max motioned for me to go first.
    I didn’t move. “I’m still deciding.”
    “Tall coffee,” Max said. “Black.”
    The barista wrote his order on the side of the cup. “Anything else?”
    Max shook his head and the barista turned away to pour his coffee.
    We weren’t even ordering food.
    Her co-worker rang up the order. “Four thirty-seven.”
    Max indicated that I should order too.
    I felt shaky and a little odd. “I don’t know what I want yet.”
    Max turned toward the restrooms. “I’ll be right back.” He left me there staring at the order board.
    What is wrong with this guy? I got out my phone and texted Powder. Max took me to a coffee shop and hit the toilet before I even ordered.
    Guys always try to get out of the tab , Powder texted.
    Heat burned my face, and I dug out a ten so I could pay before Max returned.
    Powder texted again. If he comes back sniffing or rubbing his nose and acts all wired, he’s coking up in there. The last thing he needs is coffee, so text me and I’ll pick you up.
    Geez.
    If he comes back and a giggling guy exits behind him, there’s no swinging back the other direction. Text me and I’ll pick you up.
    OMG. I have my car.
    If it’s a giggling girl, you still got a shot. Buy a hot drink or a cold one. Whatever’s the opposite of what he’s drinking. Then kiss him. That’ll steal him back from her.
    My face burned. Maybe I’ll let her have him.
    “What can I get you?” the guy asked. The female barista hovered over Max’s cup, clearly waiting for him to return so she could deliver it personally.
    I sighed but wasn’t ready to write the date off yet. I ordered as Powder instructed. “One Iced Caramel Latte.”
    “Whipped cream?”
    “Extra. Thanks.” I had to break out a five to cover the tip and took my drink over to a corner booth.
    Max returned mid-carry and I nodded toward the barista, whose claws still held his cup. Max took it from her and offered the guy at the register a twenty. The guy waved it off. “She already paid.”
    Max joined me in the booth and sat beside me. He offered me the same twenty.
    I waved him off too. “I’m good.” I took a sip of the icy caramel drink. “How’d you find this place? Is it one of your favorites?”
    “Google.”
    Oh.
    Max took out his phone and started texting.
    The barista had drawn a heart, her name, Laurie, and her phone number on his cup. My eyebrows arched along with my annoyance.
    I got out my own phone and texted Powder. He’s playing on his phone.
    Powder texted back. Red alert. He’s bored. Bet you get ditched. Text me later if you want to meet for dinner.
    Max shifted his phone to his pocket “Sorry. Sax couldn’t find the place.” He half rose and waved at the entrance as the teenage rock sensation Sax Grayson came through the door. Sax had his arm around a girl with lush, wavy brunette hair. She was tracing designs on his cheek with her fingertips as they walked toward us. They slid into the booth opposite me and Max.
    I was on a double date.
    Sax glanced at our coffees. “Bro. You ordered already?” He pulled out a fifty and handed it to