Page 21 of Espresso Your Love
“Hey, Ryan.” Ashley appears behind him with a few grocery bags.
I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.Saved by the best friend.
“Hi, Ashley. I was just saying hi to my neighbor,” Ryan tells her.
“Neighbor, huh?” She looks at me with a wide grin.
Ryan points to the bags in Ashley’s hands. “Want me to grab those for you?”
I shake my head sideways with my eyes wide trying to communicate with Ashley to say “no.”
She winks and says, “Yeah, that would be great.”
It’s taking everything in me not to yell at her right now.
Ryan takes the bags and slides past me. A whiff of amber, vanilla, and oak hits my senses, and I take a deep breath, involuntarily of course. My eyes close, and momentarily, I forget about everything until Ash bumps into me.
I glare at her and whisper yell, “I gave you all the signs to say no. Did you miss the violent shaking of my head? The wide eyes? I know you didn’t because you were looking right at me!”
“You’ll thank me later.” She shrugs her shoulders and walks into my house.
“I most definitely will not,” I continue whispering as I shut the door.
Ashley holds up her hand to her ear. “What’s that I hear? Ah, wedding bells.”
“Ash!” I follow her towards the kitchen where I see Ryan putting the grocery bags on the counter.
“It’ll be nice to know you’re near Cass. Having a police officer next door is always a good thing. You never know when you might need protection.” Ashley smirks.
“Good thing this neighborhood, and this town, has a low crime rate, Ashley. I won’t need any protection,” I retort.
“Thanks for the help, Ryan,” Ashley says as she looks at me.
“Of course,” Ryan replies, a smile playing on his lips.
He folds his arms across his chest and leans against the counter. Why does he look so comfortable? Like he has every right to be here?
“Well, looks like you two have a fun evening planned, and I have more neighbors to meet.”
Ryan starts to walk out of the kitchen, and Ash nods at me to follow him. I roll my eyes and slump my shoulders. I turn around and walk behind Ryan to the front door.
“Thanks for coming by,” I say quickly.
“It was nice seeing you again, Cassie.” He walks out my door. He hesitates, then turns around and shoves his hands in his front pockets. “And don’t worry about your…fashion choice. I like the dogs dressed in costumes.”
My cheeks turn hot as I glance down at my ensemble. “I think they’re pretty cute.” I smile at him.
He lingers for a moment then gives a small wave, and I watch him walk away.
“I think they’re pretty cute too,” I jump as Ashley whispers into my ear.
I smack her arm. “You are in big trouble, missy!”
“I think you’re just resisting too hard, my friend.”
“I’m not resisting anything.”
She pretends to zip her lips, turns around, and tosses the key behind her. I pretend to catch it and follow her to the kitchen.
