Page 25 of Unexpected Hero

“Oh! Pro tip. Don’t forget to ask about his relationship with his mother or any sisters. That’s the secret to how he treats important women in his life.”

“Bye, crazy pants.”

I met Stella in high school, and through the years, we’ve spent so much time together that it’s almost like we merged into one person. Her quirks became my quirks, and vice versa. We share a phone call aversion. It’s bizarre, but it’s who we are, and we’ve come to embrace it. The fact that I called her instead of texting shows how dire my panic was. Or is? Nah. It was. I’m good now. I got this shit. It’s just coffee.

I grab my purse and exit the car. The wind whips through my hair as soon as my head pops up from the protection of the open car door. I can’t help but turn my face into the breeze, reveling in it briefly. The sea breeze calms me. That’s why I picked this town. My family visited here when I was in elementary school. It was the vacation to end all vacations. I’ve dreamed of living here ever since.

When I turn back, my impromptu date strolls toward me on the sidewalk. I take a moment to study him from behind the safety of my sunglasses.

He’s several inches taller than me, well over six feet. His hair is cut short, slightly darker at the roots. His nose has the slightest curve to it, giving him character. There’s a certain stiffness to how he carries himself, but I don’t feel put off by it. It makes him seem sturdy, which I know sounds odd, but he exudes steadiness and strength.

It’s comforting.

“Hey,” he says in a slightly awkward greeting once he stops in front of me.

Oh good. He’s just as nervous as me.

Well, Lettie, you wanted to have new experiences. Have at it.

“Hi.”

I’m known for my verbosity.

He waves his open palm toward the coffee shop. “Shall we?”

Yes, I’ve been reading Regency Romance again, and the way he did that gives me butterflies.

With a quick nod, I join him on the sidewalk. Remembering the advice my papa gave me, I raise my chin and meet his eyes. If you project confidence, you’ll eventually feel confident. Fake it ‘til you make it.

“We weren’t properly introduced. I’m Violet. You can call me Lettie.”

One side of his mouth curves, but it’s infinitesimal, almost as if he doesn’t want to smile. Or he doesn’t know how.

“I’m James. It’s lovely to meet you, Lettie.”

More butterflies. I like the sound of my name falling from his lips.

We stand stalk-still with only the whoosh of passing cars and squawking seagulls in the distance filling the silence.

The moment stretches a bit too long, eviscerating that confidence I thought I gained.

When he doesn’t say anything else, I reach for the door, but he moves quickly to open it for me.

I suppress a grin. “Thank you.”

Toby was never chivalrous. I took it as a favorable character trait at the time, assuming he was a feminist and saw us as equal partners. But soon, I realized it was because he was a jerkoff.

He’s in jail now, which fills me with far too much giddiness. The grin I held back at James’s manners blooms into a big smile by the time I reach the counter.

We place our drink orders, both opting for iced coffee. He grabs a boxed snack kit. Meanwhile, I’m locked in a moment of decision paralysis. My eyes fix on the cooler, trying to make a selection.

Salad? Fruit and cheese? Protein bar? Chicken wrap? They all look delicious.

My stomach growls. I missed supper last night and breakfast this morning since my funds are so low. I was planning on hitting the store to get a loaf of bread, peanut butter, and jelly with my last ten dollars. I figured that would last a few days as long as I didn’t pig out.

And then what?

No fucking clue.

---