Dates of the Week: Meet Cute

By Misty Maize and Fiona Dash

Get through the week with this five-book box set from the Meet Cute series.

 

Monday Morning Mayhem

What happens when fate intervenes with some coffee beans between a morning mess and a charming barista? Can a little Monday morning mayhem settle into something sweeter than sugar?

 

Tuesday with a Twist

What happens when wedding bells ring and a maid of honor, against her better judgement, trips over her own heart? What's better than a Tuesday with a twist?

 

Wednesday & Wild

Why not take a walk on the wild side every once in a while? When it's Wednesday and wild will the shy turned spontaneous girl be able to handle it when the pro surfer rides in?

 

Thursday Thrills

What happens when a girl is waiting for the ride of her life, but doesn't know it until the eight seconds are up and she meets her match? Can the last thing she wants turn into the one thing she needs if they just give into some Thursday thrills with a bull rider?

 

Friday Freak Out

It's her party and she'll cry if she wants to. Scratch that. It's her party and she'll flirt if she wants to. Can a Friday freak out turn into a little flirtatious fun between the birthday girl and the new guy?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Perfect Escape
• Release date: May 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393339045

Book preview

Monday Morning Mayhem

Misty Maize

Copyright

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Copyright © 2018 by Misty Maize. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means.

Do not upload or distribute anywhere.

Cover design by Misty Maize.

Cover art from Pixabay.

This ebook is for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be resold or given away to others. If you would like to share this book with others please either purchase it for them or direct them to the retailer of their choice for purchase. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

Monday Morning Mayhem

Autumn Beckham was awoken extra early by her roommate, and best friend, whom insisted on baking all hours of the day and night. Owning the local bakery down the block from their apartment, Mila was constantly trying new things, using their kitchen as a test kitchen. She made sure she had a new special every day. Mila refused to use the same recipe twice if it fell on the special's menu, unless it was a huge hit, that is. Then, and only then, did she consider recycling her recipes.

Walking into the kitchen, Autumn couldn't believe her eyes. It looked like Mila got into another fight with the flour. Looking at Mila with wide eyes, Autumn tried not to laugh at what she was about to say. Who won?

Mila knew what she was talking about and responded appropriately. The flour, sadly.

They both laughed.

Mila sighed heavily and apologized for the mess. The last thing I wanted was to wake you.

Autumn brushed it off.

Did I— Mila began to question her, Did I wake you?

Autumn didn't want her to feel bad, so she fibbed. Nah, I was already up. Waking up at the crack of dawn was merely a side-effect of living with Mila.

Wiping some flour off her forehead, Mila brushed a strand of her black hair out of her way.

I'm just going to— Autumn waved her hand to the refrigerator, hinting that she was going to get something to eat. Grab a yogurt, Autumn finished, stepping over the mess on the floor.

You should try a cookie. Mila made her way over to the stove and grabbed the tray of cookies she had just made.

Autumn grabbed a spoon from the drawer and opened her yogurt.

Once they cool down, that is, noted Mila as she looked down at the cookies that were sure to taste as good as they smelt.

Are those—

Mila cut Autumn off before she could ask. Double chocolate chip chunk? Yes, they are, she answered her own question.

Autumn nodded her head. That's what I thought.

A few minutes later, Mila and Autumn both agreed the cookies had cooled down and they each grabbed one off the tray to test. Autumn bit into hers first. Mmm, she moaned. My favorite!

Mila looked pleased and took a bite next. I've done well.

They both laughed again. Autumn checked the watch on her wrist and gasped. Hey, it's getting pretty late, so I'm going to head out.

Autumn finished the rest of her cookie, and hopped off the bar stool she was previously sitting on. She grabbed her laptop from the coffee table in front of the television, grabbed her purse, and made her way out the door, wishing Mila a good day. She knew she didn't need to be at work for another two hours or so, but now at least she would be able to have some downtime to do as she pleased in her favorite coffee shop.

***

Matt Miller checked the clock beside his bed and knew that he was running late. He forgot to set his alarm the night before. And to think, it was the morning of his first day at his new job. Talk about unfortunate timing! He never really pegged himself as the barista-type, but hard times called for desperate measures. And right now was certainly that time.

Today also happened to be Matt's daughter's first day of Kindergarten and as much as he would have loved nothing more than to drop her off and pick her up from school, he had way too much to do, and now that he was running late, there was no way that was going to happen. He would have to call his mother and see if she could do it.

Buttoning up his white man-tailored shirt, he tucked it into his black pants and slipped into black loafers. He hurried into the kitchen and made himself a piping hot cup of coffee, he needed that extra jolt of java to kickstart his day. And then made Whitney her favorite breakfast. Matt poured her a tall glass of milk and made her eggs. Sunny-side-up, of course. There was no other way for eggs to be made in his daughter's mind. And he knew that.

Hey, sweetie, Matt stated as Whitney entered the room, her eyes narrowed on him. You excited for your first day of Kindergarten? Grandma is so excited to be taking you.

Is Grandma picking me up, too?

Although Whitney didn't look too happy about it, Matt couldn't lie to her. And he couldn't, no, he shouldn't, take advantage and leave early on the first day of his new job at the coffee shop. He would just have to make this work for now. It wouldn't be like this forever, he hoped to himself.

Matt bent down on one knee and sighed loudly. Sweetie, I would love nothing more than to drop you off and pick you up from school myself, but unfortunately, Daddy has to work.

He knew Whitney would understand. She may be five years old, but she was a bright little girl. Or at least that was how Matt saw her.

He stared at her, and the sadness that he saw in her eyes crushed him.

I get it, Daddy.

But, Matt tried to brighten the mood, Grandma will be dropping you off at the coffee shop right after school. We can hang out, and Daddy can even get you a little treat. He tried as hard as he could to cheer her up.

He pushed up from his knee and stood up as Whitney hopped onto a bar stool and grabbed the fork from the dish. She forked a piece of her egg in her mouth. Okay, Daddy.

Matt took that as his cue to pour his coffee into a to-go cup and get Whitney ready with her backpack. He was already running late, no need to make matters worse.

When Whitney was done with her breakfast, Matt left the dishes in the dishwasher and made his way out the door with her. Grandma would be parked outside, waiting to pick Whitney up to take her to school. And Matt would be pushing the speed limit to make it to work.

The next thing Matt knew, he was officially on his way to the coffee shop. He only hoped he wouldn't get fired on his first day.

***

Just moments ago, it was sunny as could be, but now, all of a sudden, completely out of the blue, the sky had darkened, and it was pouring down rain. Autumn couldn't believe how hard it was raining, as she watched it come down in buckets. It was a wonder how once the sun rose, it shone brightly through her bedroom window, and then when she got in her car just a little while later, the sun was covered by clouds, and she was using her windshield wipers. She was just glad she always made sure to bring an umbrella with her. The weather in Portland, Maine was unpredictable to say the least, or at least that was how Autumn felt.

Autumn went to college in Portland five years ago, and had lived there ever since. She never quite felt the need to move back to Kansas. Although a lovely state, it just wasn't where she belonged. She belonged in Portland where she could work as an editor at a well-known publishing house. Okay, assistant editor, but still, it was better than what she would have been doing in Kansas. Autumn certainly felt blessed.

Just as she was about to turn into the coffee shop, the rain began slowing down. Thankfully, Autumn noted. Autumn had the same routine every morning. She didn't need to be into work until 9 A.M., so she took the extra time before then to do what she loved to do, and that was anything that took her mind off of work and her very demanding boss. She just loved sitting in the coffee shop with a delicious cup of coffee and the amazing aroma that filled the air.

Grabbing her hot pink umbrella, Autumn made her way out of her car. She opened the umbrella and began slowly walking up to the café. The last thing she wanted was to slip and fall in her heels. It definitely wasn't unheard of. And Autumn was as clumsy as they came. It certainly wasn't an attribute she was going to add to her résumé any time soon or go parading around town, but one of her attributes, nonetheless.

The rain began slowing down as she was walking, so she was positive that it was going to stop before she had to leave for work. Hopeful thinking, she supposed. At least she didn't live in Seattle, she pondered, that would be no place to wear heels, at least not for Autumn. In fact, it would be no place for a girl like Autumn to even walk out of her apartment. Her clumsiness couldn't take the constantly slick grounds.

Autumn stood underneath the overhang in front of the door to the café. She shook out her umbrella and closed it shut, still dripping water. She extended her arm to open the door to the café. She couldn't wait to get her hands on a hot cup of coffee. And to speak with Henry. Henry had been working at the café for as long as she could remember. Because of that, they had become friends. After all, this café was her usual hangout back in college.

Henry and Autumn took a class together in college, and they became study buddies. That was when she had learned about the café. Henry had suggested it as their go-to place to study. He said it was quite after the morning rush and the perfect place to think. And that was exactly why Autumn loved the place.

***

Matt checked his watch and let out a loud sigh. He may have been fifteen minutes late, but he knew he could make up the time. He would just have to be a stellar employee. That he could do, he thought to himself. He would just charm the pants off of anyone and everyone he met today. That couldn't be too difficult.

Walking quickly to the front door of