Page 16 of Stalker's Valentine

“Scar,” I blurted and winced. “I mean Scarlett. I’m Scarlett.” I shook my head, then laugh-snorted. His deep chuckle took the sting of embarrassment away, but it was more than that. The warmth in his eyes drew me closer.

“Excuse me,” someone said behind me, and he pulled me to the side, closer to his body.

“Scarlett.” I loved the way my name sounded when he said it. “That’s a beautiful name,” he complimented. I couldn’t look away from his eyes. They drew me in, making me sway towards him.

“Oh, umm…” I felt my face heat up, and I could only imagine what I looked like. I was making a complete fool of myself. “Thank you,” I squeaked.Squeaked and snorted!I needed a big hole to suck me up! Or I needed to get out of there. “Well,“—I glanced around—“it was nice to meet you.” I was about to turn, but he cleared his throat.

“Would you like to have coffee with me?” My eyes bugged out at his invitation. Our gazes connected, “Or are you in a hurry?”

“Oh, coffee? With you?” I pressed my lips together because I needed to stop talking.Try something new,that little voice in the back of my head perked up.Give him a chance. It’s him! We’ve been thinking about him since we bumped into him!

“With me,” he confirmed as his eyes dipped to my lips. “Please?”

“How can I say no to a please?” I said without thinking, and I liked the way his eyes softened. His hand slid down my elbow and took hold of my hand.

And for some reason, I let him.

He led the way to the line, and we stood side by side, holding hands as if we weren’t strangers when that was exactly what we were. But shockingly enough, he didn’t feel like it. He felt like someone I’d known for a lifetime.

I snuck a glance at him when there were two people still in front of us only to discover his eyes were already on me. “Do you know what you’re going to order?” he asked. I licked my lips.

“I usually do a coffee with two sugars and almond milk.”God, I sound boring.

“Sounds good.” He smiled, and I couldn’t help but match him.

“But I was thinking of trying something new,” I blurted, wanting him to find me interesting.God, you’re lame! Coffee drinks are not exciting!

“Maybe something a little out of your comfort zone?” He hit it the nail right on the head.Because aren’t I already doing that?Holding a somewhat stranger’s hand and agreeing to have coffee with him?In for a dollar, in for a pound.

“What sounds good to you?” he asked, his gaze moving towards the menu board.

And for a moment, I couldn’t look away. All I could see, all I could feel, was him. The way his hand wrapped around mine. Big and warm. Safe.Why do I feel so safe with him?Observing him, unable to take my eyes off his profile, made my knees feel oddly wobbly.

“I’m not sure,” I whispered, still staring at him. His eyes dropped and connected with mine. I could have sworn we movedjust that much closer each other. His thumb stroked my hand, and I licked my lips.Why do I have the sudden urge to rest my head on his shoulder like he is mine?

We stepped forward, and I tried to come up with something to say. Some small talk that would make him smile at me and not regret asking me to coffee. But no matter what, nothing came to mind before suddenly, it was our turn.

“Hi!” The barista smiled. “What can we brew for you?”

“Scar?” he called, and I blinked up to look at him. “I mean, is it okay for me to call you that, or should I stick to Scarlett?” Doeshe seem nervous?If he was, that was kind of endearing.

“Oh, umm… anything you want works.Hey youworks, too,” I rambled, and his lips twitched. Merritt was looking at me like he thought I was cute. Probably dorky cute, but cute nonetheless.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, pointing to the menu.

“The Secret Admirer,” I blurted. It felt fitting after receiving that fruit arrangement yesterday. His eyes dropped to mine, and they flashed for a moment before I turned my attention to the barista. “I’ll have the Secret Admirer.”

“Would you like whip?”

“Yes, please.” I nodded with a tight smile, forcing myself to keep looking forward because I was afraid I’d gawk at the hot older guy next to me to the point of making him regret asking me to coffee.

Wow! When I try something new, I really go all out!

merritt

. . .

Scarlett Trejo was fucking adorable.

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