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

12. Ryan

12

Ryan

My morning is off to a great start. I really enjoyed spending time with Cassie and asking her out. I want to know her more, and the only way we’ll do that is by spending more time together.

My shift has been quiet, and now I’m heading back to the station for our last security meeting before the festival. Everyone insisted we didn’t need it, but I’d rather be overly prepared than the alternative. The concert in Birmingham was a close call, too close. I will not let that happen again.

Max follows my strides as we enter the station. Cecilia waves me over with a bright smile.

“Afternoon, Cecilia. How are you today?”

“I’m peachy keen. And you?”

“I can’t complain.”

“You know, you better make your move now before that girl leaves.”

My brows furrow together. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“Oh, you know, the Mercer family. They are hirin’ her for some event. He has a billionaire grandson, you know.”

“Yes, I’ve heard of the Mercers. That’s great for Cassie.”

Cecilia leaned in close and whispered, “Better make your move soon, Officer Hayes. Sounds like she won’t be in this small town forever.”

“I, uh, gotta get inside for my meeting.”

That was odd and sounded cryptic. Why would Cassie leave this town? She loves it here. I can’t put too much credit into what Cecilia says, who knows who she’s getting her information from and how much is true? She could’ve only heard pieces. Or she’s just saying things to push me towards Cassie.

I walk by the conference room where Cassie is already sitting with her laptop in front of her. My heart starts pounding just at the sight of her.

“Hey, you,” I say as I walk into the room with a goofy grin.

She swivels in her chair to face me, her eyes filled with excitement. “Ryan, you wouldn’t believe it!” She jumps up to her feet and throws her arms around my neck. “The Mercers want me to plan a wedding. ME!”

While I try to focus on her words and be happy for her, all I can think about is the feeling of her in my arms. The smell of coffee and her jasmine perfume are intoxicating me. Max jumps up in excitement next to us.

Cassie pulls away suddenly, a blush spreading across her cheeks as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Oh, sorry.” She laughs lightly. “I got carried away. I’m just so excited.”

“Congratulations!” I exclaim. “I’m excited for you too.”

“I can’t believe they want me!” She sits back down in her chair.

“Why wouldn’t they? You’re brilliant at what you do.”

Her soft laughter fills the room. “Oh, you’re just saying that. You haven’t even seen one of my events yet.”

“You’re right,” I admit, sitting down in the chair next to her. “But you work hard and are dedicated. It’s going to be amazing.”

She rests her hand on my arm. “Thank you, Ryan. That means a lot.”

“Aren’t they from Indiana?”

“Yes, so I’ll be traveling quite a bit back and forth, but it’s an amazing opportunity.”

“So…you’re not leaving town?”

“No, I’d never leave Meadowbrook. This is my home.” She tilts her head to the side. “Why’d you think I’d leave?”

“Cecilia said something, and it was strange.”

“Cecilia? She’s probably trying to stir up trouble. I wonder how she even knew. I only told Ashley.”

“You said it yourself, the small-town charm of well-meaning people butting into your personal life.”

“Yeah, I shouldn’t be surprised.” She chuckles. “Oh! I brought you coffee.” She hands me the extra cup sitting in front of her.

“Thanks, Cassie.” I take a gulp and immediately regret it. My nose scrunches in disgust. “What is this?”

“It’s a pumpkin-spiced latte. Thought your usual black coffee could use a little sprucing.”

“Well, it’s awful.” I grimace.

“If you’re not going to drink it, I will.” Mitchell grabs the cup out of my hands as he sits next to me.

“Mitchell, you like this stuff?”

“It’s like autumn in a cup.” He takes a sip. “What’s not to like?”

The low murmur of conversation fills the room as the rest of the security team arrives.

“You’re up, Officer Hayes.” Cassie smirks.

I meticulously review the security plan for the entire event, carefully noting where each member of our team will be stationed and when. Cassie chimes in at key points when certain performances or events will take place, and I tell the team how we should respond. We discuss contingency plans and possible scenarios so we can be prepared for anything that may happen.

“Thank you, everyone,” I end the meeting, and the room clears.

“We make a good team, Officer Hayes.”

“That we do, Ms. Thompson.”

She smiles up at me, and her blue eyes sparkle, even in the dim yellow lighting.

“I should get going. I have a lot of last minute details to finish,” she says as she begins to gather her things.

“Anything I could help with?”

“Are you crafty?” she asks with a hint of laughter in her voice.

“Not in the slightest.”

She chuckles and pats my arm. “Well, at least you’re honest. Thanks for offering, but Ashley’s coming over to help me tonight since tomorrow I’ll be busy.” She smiles at me.

“Oh, really? Got a hot date or something?”

She tilts her head and smirks mischievously. “Or something.”

I raise an eyebrow. “So that’s how this is going to go, hmm?”

Placing a hand over her heart, she adopts a heavy Southern accent. “Whatever do you mean?”

We both laugh then she playfully winks at me. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I watch as she leaves the room, her spunkiness leaving a smile on my face. There’s never a dull moment when she’s around.

I walk over to Max, who’s lying in the back corner. “Ready to go too, buddy?” I pet the top of his head.

“Hayes, you still here?” Chief Dobbs pops his head into the room.

“Yes, sir.” I stand and walk to him.

“How are you feeling about the festival?”

“We walked through the plans again, and everyone is prepared.”

“That’s good to hear. And how do you feel?”

Seems like an odd question. My old chief never asked us about our feelings. “Good, sir.”

He nods slowly. “Okay, good. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

“Thank you, Chief.”

With that, he disappears. A sense of unease settles in my gut. Maybe that’s his way of checking in on his team or maybe he’s worried about my abilities, too. If I were him, I wouldn’t have given the man who almost lost lives, including his own, such an important role in his town.

I turn back to Max who jumps up. “Let’s go home.”

I drive slowly through the small town. The sun is setting, casting a golden hue across the buildings. An image of Cassie pops into my head: Her eyes shine bright and the way her whole face changes when she smiles. She has a spark that draws you in. It’s like I can feel her hand brushing mine or her arms around my neck. A sense of calm washes over me, thinking about spending the evening with her tomorrow, and I, even, go to bed early, like an excited schoolboy hoping that sleep will bring tomorrow sooner.

The day passes in a haze, and I rush home to get ready. My shift was busy but easy, and now, I stand before my bathroom mirror. I take a deep breath as I adjust the collar of my blue shirt. My heart is pounding, and my nerves are spiking just thinking of her. I’m an officer of the law; I shouldn’t be this nervous.

“Wish me luck, Max?” He stares at me with his big brown eyes and lets out a small bark. “Thanks, buddy.” I pat his head, giving him a reassuring smile.

I walk over to her house, and before I can knock on the door, it swings open to reveal Cassie. She’s wearing a blue dress with curls framing her face.

“Ryan,” she greets me with a bright smile. “You look great.”

“And you look beautiful,” I reply nervously, putting my hands in my pocket.

“Thank you. I wasn’t sure what you had planned. Is this okay?” she asks, fidgeting under my gaze.

“It’s perfect,” I assure her. “Shall we?”

“We shall,” she answers cheerfully, locking her door before looping her arm through mine as we make our way to my truck.

As we drive toward the outskirts of Meadowbrook, our conversation flows easily. I catch glimpses of her animatedly talking about the last book she read. The fading sun illuminates her golden hair, and her sweet scent of jasmine fills the cab.

“Speaking of, I got you something.” She pulls a gift wrapped in brown paper out of her purse. “It’s just a little thank you for helping me with my car.”

I pull the truck over on the side of the road. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”

“Oh, just open it!”

I unwrap the paper to reveal a cozy mystery novel and let out a soft chuckle. The dog on the cover looks like it could be Max’s twin.

“As soon as I saw it, I thought of you. I’m not sure if you like mysteries but—”

I interrupt her. “I love it. Thank you.”

“Thank you for helping me yesterday. It was sweet of you.”

“My pleasure.” I smile, my insides warm and fuzzy.

I set the book in the back seat and resume our drive.

“Where are we going?” she asks as we pass the “Welcome to Meadowbrook” sign.

“You’ll just have to wait and see,” I reply with a mischievous grin.

Cassie rolls her eyes playfully. “I should have known better than to expect a straight answer from you.” She sighs dramatically.

Reaching into the back seat, I retrieve a soft scarf and hand it to her. “Here, put this on.”

She looks at me with confusion and then wraps the scarf around her neck.

“No, over your eyes.” I chuckle.

She squints at me. “My eyes?”

“Just trust me.”

With hesitation, she puts the scarf over her eyes. She begins fidgeting with her foot, tapping against the floorboard.

In an attempt to comfort her, I set my hand on her forearm. Her foot stops immediately. I intended to reassure her, but I might have just stunned her.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“That’s okay; I just didn’t see it coming.”

I pretend to laugh. “Ha ha. Good one.”

She giggles in her seat.

We arrive at our destination, and I put the truck in park.

“Stay here until I come to get you, and no peeking.”

She nods eagerly, visibly excited.

With a grin, I hop out of the truck and grab my bag of supplies from the back seat.