Page 11 of Espresso Your Love

“That’s a great picture.”

“And what about you? Any siblings?”

“An older brother. He’s very protective, but I guess he’s like how you are with Sadie. He’ll do anything for me.”

“It’s what big brothers do.”

She smiles softly as we continue walking down the street. We pass a few shops along the way. The sun is past the buildings now, and the streetlights turn on.

“Luke,” I say, breaking the silence. “I’m Team Luke all the way.”

“Really? But Christopher is Rory’s father.” She raises her eyebrows, a playful grin.

“But Luke’s reliable. Steady. He’s always been there for Lorelai. He’s someone she could count on.”

She seems taken aback for a moment.

“So, I was right. You are a die-hard fan.” She smirks at me.

We reach The Rusty Spoon, and I open the door for her. The inside is just as charming as the rest of the town. I understand why out-of-towners come here.

Cassie is bright and driven. She’s unpredictable with her sass that hides underneath the introvert façade. We fall into easy and light conversation, finding our common interests. She loves to read, as do I. She runs, which I do because I have to, not because I like to. She tells me all about the Autumn Festival and how she began planning events. Every sentence she utters shows how much she loves this town.

Dinner races by too quickly, and before I know it, we’re standing from our table and exiting the diner.

“Well, we covered a good amount of town today,” she says as I hold the door for her. “I hope you enjoyed the short and unexpected tour.”

“I did. You were an excellent tour guide.”

Her cheeks turn pink at my words, and I’m a goner. I’ve never met someone as sweet and genuine as she is. I’ve never felt this way about someone like I do her. I’ve dated a few women before, but none of them have made me feel this way. Longing to know more. Eager to see her smile. I could stare into her sparkly blue eyes all night long. The last thing I want to do is say goodnight.

But I have to get back to Max and attempt to get some sleep before my first day tomorrow. I already know sleep will be hard to come by after today.

Sadie is going to have a field day when she finds out.How did she know?

“Well, I should head home,” she sighs. “The Autumn Festival isn’t going to plan itself.”

“Unfortunately not. I’ll see you around town?”

“I’ll be here.”

I watch as she walks away before going back in to order a plain hamburger patty for Max. Poor guy, I almost forgot about him. He’d be devastated if he knew.

My walk back to the Cozy Nook Inn is quick, and when I open the door, Ms. Abrams is nowhere to be found. I let out a sigh of relief. I have a feeling she’d twist my arm into telling her every minute detail of the evening. I jog up the stairs to my room and unlock the door. Max jumps to his feet and rushes over to me, sniffing the bag from the diner.

I put the patty in his food bowl, and he dives right in.

“Max, is love at first—or well, second—sight possible?”

He pauses, tilts his head, and makes a small sound.

“You’re right, buddy. That’s nonsense.” I rub the back of my neck and lay down on the bed.

I don’t really even know her; we just met this morning. But there’s something about her…and the desire I have to know everything about her—what she’s thinking, what makes her smile, what her dreams are, what her real laugh sounds like when she lets go. She’s already consuming my thoughts. I must be crazy for feeling this way so soon. But if this is crazy, I don’t want to be sane.

The sound of my alarm rings in my ear. I reach over to my phone and turn it off.

It’s morning.

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