Page 6 of Grateful Hearts

The last thing she needed right now was to throw herself into a rebound just because someone looked like they walked off the cover of a fitness magazine.

“No, it’s really not necessary,” she said, shaking her head. “Accidents happen,” she told him honestly.

The man looked unconvinced, his brows knitting together again as his gray eyes searched hers.

“Are you sure? I—”

Chantel caught herself staring at his mouth and immediately looked away, heat creeping up her neck.Get a grip, Chantel.

“Positive,” she said, cutting him off before he could protest further. She took a step back, clutching the damp napkins to her chest like a shield.

But her retreat was short-lived when her eyes betrayed her once again, sneaking another glance at him. She couldn’t help it. He was just...ugh, why did he have to be so attractive?

That’s when she realized he’d caught her looking.

His lips quirked up in a faint smile, and a spark of something playful flickered in his gray eyes. “You’re sure that you’re okay? You’ve been staring at me like I’ve got two heads.”

Her mouth dropped open, mortified, as she scrambled to respond. “I…no! I wasn’t—” She stopped herself, knowing full well there was no point in lying. “Okay, maybe a little, but that’s only because—”

His smile widened, and she groaned inwardly.

“Because I spilled coffee on you?” he offered, his tone teasing.

“Exactly!” she said, seizing the lifeline, even though it was the worst excuse imaginable.

His laugh was low and rich, sending an uninvited flutter through her chest. “Well, if it helps, I’m Zach.”

“Chantel,” she said before mentally cursing herself for giving her name.

“Nice to meet you, Chantel,” he said with an easy grin, extending his hand.

She hesitated, then shook it briefly, hyperaware of how warm and solid his hand felt in hers.No. Nope. Don’t even think about it,she reminded herself firmly. Was this the universe’s way of testing her resolve? Because if all men looked like Zach, she was in serious trouble.

???

Zach Walker shifted his duffel bag higher on his shoulder as he navigated the crowded airport terminal, the familiar smell of coffee wafting from the cup in his hand. He had a few minutes before his flight was called, and caffeine was non-negotiable after the early start of his day.

He took a distracted sip of his coffee. His mind was half-focused on the list of things he needed to handle when he got home, and unintentionally, he bumped into someone.

It all happened so fast as the force of the impact caused the lid of his coffee cup to pop off, sending the hot liquid splattering onto the sweater of the petite woman he’d accidentally walked into.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” Zach blurted out as he stepped back and stared at the spreading stain.

The woman, to her credit, didn’t immediately freak out. She blinked, wide-eyed, at the mess on her cream-colored sweater, her lips parting in surprise.

And then she looked up at him.

It took him all of two seconds to realize he was in trouble.

She was stunning. Petite, maybe five-foot-five, with long brown hair pulled into a ponytail that somehow made her look effortlessly youthful yet completely put-together. Her striking green eyes were mesmerizing—clear and bright, and for a moment, Zach forgot why he was even standing there.

“Are you okay?” He asked, feeling both embarrassed and horrible.

“Uh...it’s fine. Totally fine.” She replied.Her voice was soft but not panicked.

“I feel terrible. I wasn’t looking where I was going, and—”

“It’s okay, really,” she said quickly, waving him off while patting the front of her sweater with the napkins he handed her.

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