Page 7 of Espresso Your Love
“I don’t need you asking about him! It might be a repeat Jake incident.” I laugh at the thought. In junior high, Molly found out I liked a boy in my class, Jake. One day, Ashley forgot her lunch, and when Molly brought it, Jake asked me about the group science project and Molly mentioned we needed another partner. He ended up being a total jerk so nothing came of it. But Molly always has her eye out for me.
“Well, Ryan was cute and seemed to have his eye on you.”
“It was a short conversation. I have work to do and so doyou.” I push her off the couch, and she stumbles to her feet as we both laugh.
She stops and turns to me with a more serious expression now. “You deserve to be happy, Cass.”
“I am happy.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I’m not going to be chasing after someone. Mr. Right will come along when it’s the right time. I’m not worrying and neither should you,” I say in the brightest voice I can muster.
“But don’t let it pass you by either. If an opportunity comes, take a chance. Even if it means risking your heart.”
She gives me a small smile and heads back downstairs.
I’m truly not worried about finding Mr. Right. I know he’ll come around. Right now, I’m career focused. I have the Autumn Festival, which is a big undertaking. Mrs. Whittaker has even sent a few clients my way. Some are even out of state, so it’s going to be a busy year. I’ll be jet-setting across the world. Well, across the state line, and more like driving than in a jet.
After a few more hours of details for the Autumn Festival, it’s time to head home. I still have a long list of tasks to plan out and vendors to contact, but I need some real food and a quick walk around the block.
As I gather my belongings, something brown catches my eye on the chair across from me. I walk around the coffee table and pick it up. A wallet. Oh man, I’d hate to be this guy. I open it up to reveal an Alabama driver's license.
It belongs to Ryan Hayes. He’s thirty-two and lives in Birmingham.
So, he lives somewhat close by; Birmingham is just a couple of hours north of here.
How did he get such a good photo? Mine has poor lighting, adding ten pounds and ten years. The last time I needed to retake my photo, I got a huge zit right on my forehead—talk about the worst time to break out. Not that there’s a good time to break out, but there are definitely worse times. Like a first date or your wedding day.
I close it back up and head downstairs, and Ash’s mom is at the counter.
“Hey, Molly, I found this wallet upstairs. Can I leave it with you?”
Molly takes the wallet from me and opens it. She raises her eyebrows and gasps. “Cassandra Mae Thompson. Did you steal the cute guy’s wallet so you’d have an excuse to see him again?”
My eyes widen and my mouth drops open. “Molly! Of course, I didn’t. Do you really think I would do that?”
She starts laughing. “Oh, honey. I’m just teasin’ you.”
I exhale and shake my head.
“Here.” She hands me back the wallet. “You find him. Maybe it’s destiny.” She winks at me.
I roll my eyes. “Here we go. Another Jake incident.”
“You dodged a bullet with that one. If it weren’t for me, you’d still be pining over him. Maybe this time it’ll turn out for the best. He could bethe one.”
“He’s just visiting. He’s from Birmingham.”
“Oh, honey, that’s just a few hours away. Not too bad. Maybe he’ll relocate for you.” She gives me a sly grin.
I roll my eyes again.
“Your eyes will roll out of their sockets if you keep that up. Now, go check in with Clara and see if he’s staying at her place.”
“And when he’s not there, I’ll drop it off at the police station on the way home.”
“Great idea. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
