Espresso Your Love (The Coffee Loft Series: Fall Collection)

10. Ryan

10

Ryan

Just as I was adjusting to the small town life, Meadowbrook threw another curveball at me. And this time, it knocked the wind out of me, literally. Out of nowhere, I get pummeled into the ground by none other than Cassie.

I’ve been replaying this morning’s incident in my head all day. It happened so suddenly that I didn’t even have time to react until her bright blue eyes met mine. Despite all of the training I’ve been through, my reflexes failed me in that moment.

I thought everything was fine until she suddenly bolted. I don’t know if I said something wrong or if she was just that embarrassed by the whole ordeal, even though she did nothing wrong.

Now we’re out on patrol, just Max and I. It’s a slow day, nothing out of the ordinary. A single expired registration and a car parked too close to a fire hydrant are the only minor infractions we’ve encountered.

My attention is caught by someone rolling through a stop sign. I flick my lights on my police cruiser and pull behind the car, watching as it comes to a stop. As I approach the driver’s window, it rolls down to reveal Aunt Clara.

“Afternoon, Aunt Clara. How are you today?” I greet her with a warm smile.

“Oh just fine, dear. What seems to be the trouble? I wasn’t speeding, was I?” she replies with a hint of concern in her voice.

“No, ma’am. No speeding. But you did roll through that stop sign.”

“Oh, that old stop sign? I’ve been stopping at that thing for forty years. I didn’t think anyone would notice a little roll through. There wasn’t a soul around!” she exclaims.

“I understand. But we always have to stop, even if we don’t see anyone. We gotta keep things safe around here.”

“I suppose so. I’ll do better, Officer Hayes. You can bet on it!”

“I know you will, Aunt Clara. I’ll let you off with just a warning today. Just abide by the signs from now on, alright?” I say with a small chuckle.

“Yes, Officer. Come by the inn, and I’ll make you breakfast sometime,” she offers.

“I’ll hold you to it, Aunt Clara. Drive safe now.”

She waves as she drives off. I get back into my cruiser and continue on my drive when my phone rings.

“Hey, Sis,” I answer the call.

“Big brother! You haven’t been returning any of my calls.”

A tinge of guilt hits me. “Sorry, it’s been busy here. But I should’ve called sooner.”

“Yes, you should have! Now tell me, how are things going?”

“Currently, I’m patrolling so we might get interrupted.” I turn onto Main Street.

“I guess that’s mildly acceptable,” she teases.

“Things are good. Everyone in town is welcoming. The guys at the station are great. I was given my first assignment. The rest of my stuff finally arrived so I’m settling into the house.”

“Good! What’s your assignment?”

“It’s…security for the town’s fall festival,” I hesitate.

“Oh, a small town festival. That sounds like so much fun. When is it?”

“Just a couple of days away now.”

“How come you didn’t tell me sooner! Text me the dates and times. Maybe we can make it.”

I laugh. “You’re right. It’s just the thing you’d love. Hey, I gotta go. Someone’s taillight is out.”

“Okay, bye, big brother.”

“Bye, little sis.” I hang up and flip on my lights.

The car slows down and comes to a stop. I instruct Max to stay while I step out of my patrol car. I walk up to the car and knock on the window. I hear a mechanical noise but nothing happens. Then the door flings open.

“Oh, sorry, Officer, I—” the woman looks over at me. Hello, pretty blonde caffeine addict.

“Ms. Thompson.” I nod and smile.

“I’m so sorry, Ryan—uh, Officer Hayes. My window seems to be stuck,” Cassie says.

“Not a problem, Ms. Thompson. Can I see your license and registration?” I try to hide my smirk, but I’m unsuccessful. This is my chance—she said only if a police officer pulls her over. It must be my lucky day.

Her face goes from flustered to annoyed. “Do you really need my license? You know who I am.”

“Yes, ma’am. It’s procedure.”

She lets out a big sigh and leans over to her purse.

“Nice and slow there, miss. Otherwise, I might need to get my K9 over here.”

“What? To lick me to death? Max wouldn’t harm me.”

“Ah, you think so?”

“Absolutely. Max likes me.”

He’s not the only one.

She holds out her license to me, but when I grab it, she won’t let go.

I rest my forearm on the car and lean down.

“Cass, you’re safe with me.” It comes out a lot deeper and more serious than I meant for it to. I was just the King of Cool. I’m not sure what changed, but I do mean it—she’s safe with me.

She lets go of her license, and I take a look at it. I examine every feature. I don’t know why she’s so worried. She’s beautiful here, too. Beautiful when she’s put together, breathtaking in her pajamas and natural beauty, and gorgeous in the dark DMV lighting.

“Your photo looks just like you, why are you so worried?”

“You don’t have to be kind about it, Ryan. Can I have it back?” She reaches for her license.

I pull it away from her. “I’m not done, yet. What don’t you like about it?”

“Really, Ryan? Can I just have it back now?” She trys to snatch it out of my hand.

“I don’t see anything wrong with this picture.”

“You, Officer, should get your eyes checked then. It’s dangerous in your line of work.”

“All I see is the same pretty woman as I do in front of me.”

Her face softens just slightly then her guard goes back up. “You’re a good liar, too. Does the police force teach you that?” She crosses her arms now.

“Cassie,” I say, but she’s looking forward. I place my hand under her chin and turn her face toward me. She stares at me with her ocean-blue eyes. “You look just as beautiful in this photo as every other time I’ve seen you.”

I wish she could see what I see. One minute she seems so sure of herself, confident. But I’ve started to see it’s just a fa?ade. She really doesn’t see how wonderful she is. Not just on the outside, but the inside too. She’s kind and welcoming. Sure, she’s put some distance between us, but I think she’s scared. She must be feeling the same way I do. It’s that unsure, in the middle feeling.

I know it’s only been a few short weeks, but with my training, I’m a good read of character, and so is Max. She’s a good person. From the second I saw her, I thought she was stunning. And every time I’ve been with her since, I slowly see the true Cassie. And today, I saw more of the raw Cassie, without all the frills, i’s dotted, and t’s crossed.

I clear my throat. “Your taillight is out. That’s why I pulled you over.”

She continues to stare at me. “I’ll be sure to get it fixed, Officer.”

“How about I come over tomorrow morning to fix it?”

She slowly nods her head. “Okay, tomorrow.”

I tip my hat. “Tomorrow.” Then I step back and watch her drive away.

I look down at her picture in my hands. I forgot to give her driver’s license back to her. I tap her driver’s license in my hand then start walking back to my patrol car.

That turned…serious. I shake my head, grinning at my own foolishness. I don’t know what came over me. As I slide into the cruiser, Max tilts his head at me.

“Don’t say a word,” I warn him.

He whines, and I pet his head. “It’s time, buddy. I didn’t get to ask her the other night after the town meeting so tomorrow’s the day. Hopefully, I haven’t been reading into this wrong and I’m not about to make a fool of myself. You think she likes me, buddy?”

Max barks.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

The rest of my shift goes by quickly and is uneventful, which I’m thankful for. Cassie’s blue eyes and radiant smile keep flashing through my mind. I went by the store to get the light for her car after work then went home. I try to sleep, but I’m anxious about tomorrow.

What if I’m reading into this wrong? What if she rejects me? Won’t it be awkward working together and being neighbors? I would have to keep my cool—be nonchalant about it all. But it’s anything but that. With Cassie, it feels like this is more. And that scares me. I wish I could talk to Dad about it. This seems like something he’d have some good advice on.

While it was a rough night, I am looking forward to today. I jump out of bed and get my running gear on. A quick run to Coffee Loft will give me something to get the jitters out, and I’ll grab something for Cassie and me.

The morning air is brisk, and it’s beginning to get colder, but I don’t mind. Max trots beside me until we reach Coffee Loft. I really enjoy coming here as often as I can. It’s always so lively. Well, when there aren’t goats eating the scarecrows.

“Hey, Ryan. The usual?” Ashley asks, enthusiastically.

“Morning. Yes,” I lower my voice. “What does Cassie normally order?”

Her eyebrow raises. “Why do you need to know?”

“I’m bringing her coffee this morning,” I say as calmly as I can.

She squints her eyes at me. “What are your intentions?”

“To feed her caffeine and a donut.”

She cocks her head at me. “What are your intentions with her ?”

“Can I tell her first then follow up with you? I’d like her to hear it from me.”

She thinks for a moment then nods. “Okay, I’ll take that.”

She taps on the tablet and rings up my total.

“Can you also add her favorite donut?”

“That’ll be a salted caramel latte with a pumpkin spice donut. She’s my guinea pig with new drinks, but she really liked that one—so you’ll be safe with that.”

A few minutes later, she brings me a cup carrier with drinks and a bag filled with baked goods.

“Thank you,” I tell her.

“Be good to her,” Ash says.

I nod and leave the shop.

“That must be a good sign if the best friend didn’t deter me, right?” I ask Max as we walk back to the house.

My stomach turns in knots the whole way back. While, yes, it’s a nervous moment asking someone out, I’ve never been this nervous. There’s more on the line with her, I guess. We’re intertwined in several ways, but hey, no matter what, we’ll be fine right? Even if she says no—we can still be friends, can’t we? I don’t want to only be friends, but if that’s all she offers, I’ll take it.

I stand on her porch now, coffee and donuts in hand. I knock at the door and wait. A minute passes, and I knock again then adjust the coffee carrier. The door barely opens, and a blue eye peeks through the opening.

“Ryan?” she questions groggily.

“Morning, Cassie. I brought coffee,” I say and raise the carrier.

She blinks at me before opening the door wider. Her hair is in a bun on the top of her head with strands of loose curls falling out. A striped pajama set peeks out from underneath her thick robe. As she rubs her eyes underneath her glasses, she waves and then turns toward the kitchen.

I step inside and follow her, Max trailing behind me.

“Did I wake you?” I ask as I set the coffee and bag on the table.

She nods slowly then reaches inside a cabinet for plates.

“I’m sorry, Cass. I thought it would be a good way to start the day before I helped with your car.”

She puts the plates down and smiles sleepily. “That’s really nice of you, Ryan. Thanks.”

“It’s the neighborly thing to do, right?” I respond and immediately want to smack myself. That’s not why I’m doing this at all.

“Seems like you’re getting the hang of the small town hospitality.”

I take out the donuts and hand her the pumpkin spice one. I got the cranberry orange to try today.

“Something like that.” I can’t help the cheesy grin that slides across my face.

She’s half asleep, and I want wide awake Cass before I ask her this. I need her fully aware of what I’m asking.

She takes a sip of her coffee and hums. “You got good taste, Ryan.”

“I can’t take the credit. I asked Ashley. She said it was a safe choice.”

“She’s right. It’s been my go-to this season. She’s always making me try new combinations. I’ve had this before, but the way she makes it is so much better.” She closes her eyes to savor the taste.

She looks adorable bundled in her thick robe, both hands cradling the to-go cup as she holds it close to her. Every time I see a new side to her, I’m amazed. She’s a wonderful woman.

“What did you get?”

“Black coffee, a dash of cream.”

She scrunches her nose. “Just plain? That’s no way to live.”

“What can I say? I’m a simple man.”

“C’mon. Here.” She holds out her cup to me. “You gotta try this.”

I shake my head. “I don’t like a cup of sugar for breakfast.”

“Says the man eating a donut.”

“I don’t like to drink my sugar,” I clarify, but she still holds her cup out to me. I roll my eyes at her. “Okay, fine.” I grab the cup from her hands and take a sip.

“See, I told you it’s good.”

“I didn’t even say anything yet.”

She shrugs. “I could read your expression.”

“Oh, can you now?”

She nods. “Mhm.”

“Maybe you should consider a career as a detective then.”

“I’d like to think I’d be good at that, but I’d be the worst one on the force. I’m awful at watching my surroundings.”

“Guess it’s a good thing you have a cop for a neighbor now, huh?”

“Meh. I guess it could’ve been worse,” she teases.

“I bring you breakfast, and you insult me. I’ll just show myself out.” I pretend to get up from the table.

She laughs softly and reaches for my arm. “I’m only kidding, Ryan. I really do appreciate the coffee. It was very nice of you. Thank you.” She smiles at me.

“Anytime,” I respond back. “So, I better get working on that taillight of yours before you get pulled over again.”

“Yeah, of course.” She stands, cleaning up the table. “What all do we need?”

“I have everything already. I grabbed a new lightbulb after my shift yesterday.”

“You shouldn’t have; I’ll pay you back. How much was it?”

“You don’t owe me anything.”

“No, it’s my car, and you’re already doing free labor.”

“Fine. How about coffee is on you next time?”

She pauses for a moment. “Okay, deal.”

Not that I’ll actually let her pay for my coffee, but I have a feeling if I didn’t, she would’ve fought me for it.