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

19. Cassie

19

Cassie

“What was going on up here?” Ashley comes up the loft stairs with a plate of pastries.

“Oh, nothing.” I nonchalantly shrug but can’t hide my smile. “Just Ryan explaining why he was distant after the festival incident and then I blurted the never-been-kissed thing and now, we’re going on a day date tomorrow.”

She squeals. “Cassie! I’m so excited for you! You have a boyfriend!”

“I mean, not technically. It’ll be our second date tomorrow.”

“Well, we’ll see what happens tomorrow.” She sits on the couch and nudges me. “How did he react to the news?”

“He left it up to me. Basically, he won’t push me or do anything until I make the move. Which is almost even more nerve-wracking.”

Her lip purses out. “I knew he would be considerate about it. He’s a good one!”

“Yeah, but it’s one thing if he leans in and then I lean in too but now…it’s all on me.”

“And you’re nervous you’ll mess it up?”

“Yes.”

“You’re going to be fine. Just focus on the two of you, and you’ll figure out when the moment is right, and it will be amazing.”

I smile at her and know she’s right. I need to enjoy the date and not focus on the logistics of it. It’s like an instinct, right? I’ll just know.

After a long but productive day working, I’m looking forward to crawling in my bed. I got more work done today so I can take all of tomorrow off and enjoy the time with Ryan. When I walk onto my porch, there’s an envelope taped to the door. I go in and open the envelope to see a note from Ryan.

Cassie,

Can’t wait for our date tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at 6:30 am.

Attire: Wear jeans and closed-toed shoes.

-Ryan

I pull out my phone, snap a picture of the envelope, and text Ashley.

I came home, and this was on my door. He left me a note! 6:30 am date. He said to wear jeans and closed-toed shoes.

Oh, sounds like you’re in for an adventure! Horseback riding? Skydiving?

Maybe not that extravagant or adrenaline-inducing. But why so early?

The early bird gets the worm. He set a high bar with the first date; I’ll bet he’ll top it with this one.

Honestly, we could do nothing and I’ll be perfectly content.

Aww. *heart emojis* Get some rest and have fun tomorrow. I can’t wait to hear all about it!

I smile at her text before crawling under the covers. I’m looking forward to spending the day with him, wondering what surprises he has in store. As my head sinks into the soft pillow, my mind drifts off into dreams of endless possibilities for our date tomorrow.

I wake up peacefully to the sounds of birds chirping outside my window. I get myself ready and stand in the mirror. Jeans, white sneakers, and a long-sleeved flowy top. I grab my favorite jacket and glance at the time.

It’s exactly six thirty when there’s a knock on the door. Ryan stands there, looking as handsome as ever. His dazzling smile greets me as he holds out a bouquet of wildflowers.

“Good morning, these are for you.”

I take the flowers from his hand, admiring their vibrant colors.

“Ryan, these are beautiful. Thank you.” I inhale their sweet scent. “Do we have time for me to put them in a vase before we leave?”

He nods.

“Come in.” I smile and turn toward the kitchen.

“You got my note?” he says as he closes the door behind him.

“I did and was dreaming all night of different possibilities of what we might do today. Do I get to know?” I ask as I get the vase from the cabinet and fill it with water.

He has a mischievous glint in his eye. “The element of surprise keeps it fun.”

“I’m a planner girl, city boy. Surprises aren’t usually my thing. But…” I let out a dramatic sigh. “I guess, it’s allowed today.”

“Ah, the city boy nickname is back, huh?”

“Well, aren’t you?” I tease as I arrange the flowers in the vase.

He pulls out a card from his wallet. “Actually, I’m officially a Meadowbrookian.” He points to the address on his license. “Or is it Meadowbrooker? Either way, I’m a citizen of this wonderful small town.”

“Wow, that is official. But you’ll always be city boy to me.” I chuckle. “Okay, I’m ready.”

Ryan eagerly takes my hand and pulls me towards the front door. “Adventure awaits!” he exclaims as he raises our joined hands.

We walk hand in hand to his truck. He opens his door for me then walks around to the other side and gets in. The engine roars to life as he starts the truck. He sets his open hand on the center console and wiggles his fingers, a silent invitation for me to join him. I look over at him, his eyes on the road, and place my hand in his. A grin spreads across his face which sends butterflies to my stomach.

We drive out of town and through the windy country roads. The countryside is beautiful this time of year with all the autumn hues sprinkled into the landscape, especially as the sun starts to rise. After another half hour of driving, we pull onto a private road. We stop at a gate, and Ryan gets out to punch in the code.

I squint my eyes at him when he gets back in the car.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” He grabs my hand again and drives through the open gate.

We drive a few more minutes down this road that is surrounded by trees. Up ahead, there’s a clearing that opens to a small airfield.

My eyes go wide as I look at Ryan. “Are we…flying?”

“Something like that.” He grins.

My heart races as he opens the door for me, and I step onto the tarmac.

A rainbow-colored hot air balloon is being inflated.

“Ever been in a hot air balloon before?” he asks as his fingers intertwine with mine.

“Never.”

“Then it’s a first for both of us. Come on.” He leads me to the small building where we fill out the liability waivers. I made the mistake of reading the possibilities of what could go wrong and now my hand is shaking.

Ryan places his hand on the small of the back. “Are you okay?”

“Just a little nervous, that’s all.”

“If I promise not to let go of you, will that help?” He winks at me.

I nudge him playfully, and he lets out a deep laugh.

“You’ll be safe, I promise.”

“I’m holding you to it, mister.” I poke his arm.

We’re led outside to the balloon and meet the pilot. I climb into the wicker basket first, then Ryan. It is a lot larger than I anticipated, but that makes me feel more secure. Ryan grabs my hand again, and I smile. I love how he takes every opportunity to hold my hand.

The burner roars as the flame goes up, heating the air inside the balloon. The basket gently rises from the ground which continues to look small as we go higher. We rise above the trees and into the open sky.

“Wow, this is beautiful,” I say in complete awe.

I glance up at him, and he’s staring down at me. “Not as beautiful as you.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I shake my head. “That’s so cheesy, Ryan.”

“But it’s true.” His eyes twinkle in the morning light.

I roll my eyes. “If you insist.”

The world below us continues to get smaller as we go higher. It’s amazing up here and not as scary as I thought it would be. It could be because it’s just not that bad up here or because Ryan hasn’t let go of me and he makes me feel safe. I’m choosing to believe the latter.

“Have you always been good at planning these kinds of things?” I look up at Ryan. “I loved our date overlooking Meadowbrook and now this.”

He squeezes my hand. “Honestly, no. I’ve never done anything like that. But for you,” he shrugs, “it’s different. I want to make special memories with you.”

Is there a lack of oxygen up here? Or did Ryan Hayes take my breath away?

I guess Ryan’s cheesiness is rubbing off on me.

“Are you enjoying it?” He looks a little concerned now probably since I’m staring at him, speechless.

“I am. You know how to sweep a girl off her feet, Ryan Hayes.”

“I’m normally not this smooth.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“I guess you bring it out of me.”

“I’ll just thank me for this wonderful date, then.” I laugh and so does he.

We float in the air, taking in the masterpiece before us. When we land, we snap a picture with the balloon, and then he leads me to a picnic blanket. There’s already a variety of pastries and drinks set out. We enjoy our picnic while we watch as the balloon goes up with another couple in it.

As we finish eating, I move closer to Ryan and feel the heat radiating from him.

“You’re like my own personal heater,” I tease.

He grabs my hand. “And you’re an ice box.” He wraps both his hands around mine to warm them up.

“Just keeping things cool.”

“Who’s cheesy now?” He raises an eyebrow at me.

I shrug. “I learned from the best.”

Ryan laughs heartily, and it’s infectious. I watch the crease form around his eyes. When he looks at me, his green eyes are mesmerizing. My hands are still engulfed in his.

His breath hitches when I touch his clean shaven cheek, tracing his jawline. I lean in closer. His gaze drops to my lips and back to me. Our faces are inches apart now.

“Cassie…” he says, trailing off. A silent request for consent.

My heart is pounding so hard that I can hear it in my ears.

Despite all my fears of first kisses and broken hearts, there is something in his gentle gaze that reassures me. Something that tells me that with him, it may be safe to take the plunge, to get my heart involved. To make the next move. He’s worth it.

I nod slightly. He leans in closer, our noses brush, and he captures my lips with his. Everything around me fades like we are the only two people on earth.

As we pull apart slowly, he rests his forehead on mine, a smile on his lips. “That was…”

“Perfect.” I smile back at him.

He lightly chuckles. “It was perfect.”

“Ryan? Does this mean you’re my boyfriend?”

“Only if you’re sure you want to date a city boy.”

“I think I can handle it,” I say as I press my lips to his.