Page 16 of Espresso Your Love
“That sounds good.”
Now, I can unashamedly stare at him with no one else here to notice. Okay, maybe a little shame. It’s not just his looks either. He makes me feel safe, and comfortable, and he listens so intently. I guess that’s part of his job as an officer, but I think it’s more than that. I think it’s just who he is. It makes me want to know everything about him which is dangerous…and scary.
6
Ryan
If I thought small town life would be boring, boy, was I wrong. It’s my third day of being in Meadowbrook and it feels like I’ve been here for weeks with everything that has happened. Meeting Cassie has been exciting and has me looking forward to the future here. Even if she doesn’t feel anything for me—she’s brought something out of me. Ever since the incident in Birmingham, I’ve been drained. Just going through the motions every day. But then Cassie…she brings life into me.
And it looks like I’ll be seeing a whole lot more of the drop-dead gorgeous, coffee-loving, make-my-stomach-do-flips, event planner.
Today, I’m out patrolling with Mitchell. He took me and Max through his normal route. We walk around the town square, where the Autumn Festival will be, talking through the best way to handle security.
“Hey, before we head back to the station, can we grab a quick coffee break?”
“You read my mind.”
I’m still nervous about my capabilities. If I let Birmingham happen, then anything can happen at this festival. Mitchell seems to be impressed by the ideas I shared with Cassie, which helps, but I’ll be going over the schematics a few more times.
We start walking through the town square toward Coffee Loft with Max trailing at my side. The aroma of coffee hits me before we reach the entrance. As we start to walk into Coffee Loft, Mitchell darts to the side of the building.
I stop abruptly. “You okay, man?”
“Uh…yeah. I’ll meet you in there.” His voice is shaky, and he keeps straightening his hat.
“Um, okay, I’ll grab us a table.”
I start to turn when he blurts, “It’s her. She’s in there.”
I look through the window. “Who is?”
“The barista.”
My eyes land on her; it’s the same barista as yesterday. “Ahh, the brunette. You like her?” I try to conceal my amusement with his sudden nervousness. He’s confident and outgoing. He doesn’t seem like he would have a problem with women.
“Ashley makes me nervous.” He takes off his hat and wipes his brow.
“They tend to do that to ya.” Max gives a whine. “See, even he agrees.”
“You get nervous too? You seem so…relaxed with Cassie.”
“Cassie?” My eyes go wide.
“Give me a break, man. She’s just as smitten with you as you are with her.”
She is?
“Nah, she’s just being polite to the new guy in town.” I wave my hand in the air.
“You’re lying to yourself, Hayes. I’ve known Cassie all my life, and I’ve never seen her this way.”
“Okay, come on. We’ll go in together—I’ll be your wingman.”
We stand in line waiting to order. Mitchell is practically sweating through his uniform. When we’re next, Ashley steps into the back room and someone else takes our order instead. Mitchell sighs, a mixture of relief and some disappointment I’m sure, then places his order.
I can’t help but glance up at the loft to see if I can spot Cassie. There she is. Sitting in the same spot I met her in, her fingers flying across the keyboard. She’s focused…and absolutely beautiful.
After I place my order, I stand off to the side waiting. If I could find a reason to go up there, I would. We just discussed the details yesterday so nothing new to report there. It’s not like she’s close by and I can just say hi real quick. She’s all the way up on the loft. I could—my radio blares.
