Page 2 of Espresso Your Love

He bites into his donut and then looks up at me. I realize I’ve been staring at him this whole time so I quickly look down at my computer and start typing. None of it makes sense—it looks like I fell asleep on my keyboard hitting the same keys over and over again. But it keeps me busy. Hopefully, he doesn’t thinkanything of it. Causewow, Cass, rude much?You’d think I’ve never seen an attractive guy before.

Autumn Festival. Lists. Contacts. To-dos. Okay, I’m back on track. I have to set up a meeting with Chief Dobbs. Talk to town hall about any additional permits needed. Paige, an old friend of mine, is a graphic designer, and I need to check in on the progress of the festival programs. Alright, back in the flow! No devilishly handsome man can derail me from such an important event!

The most adorable whine distracts me, and I look up. The dog has his head propped on the man’s lap, nudging his arm. The man sticks the last bite of donut in his mouth, dusts his hand on a napkin, then idly starts petting the dog’s head while he reads his book.

What is it about this man and his dog that has me so intrigued? I can’t even focus on getting work done, which is never a problem for me. But it’s so sweet, the sense of companionship between them. The man stops rubbing the dog's head. I quickly duck my head down again to continue typing absolute nonsense on my computer. I see him pick up his coffee and take a sip.

I hear the dog make the noise again, almost like a sneeze, and the man sets his coffee down again and starts petting the dog’s head again.

“Sorry about Max here,” the man says, not tearing his eyes from his book. “He’s wanting some extra attention this morning. Do you like dogs?” He finally looks at me.

“Yes, I love dogs. He’s cute,” I say as my eyes bounce between Max’s puppy eyes and the man’s green ones.

“Good.” He looks back at his book, turning the page.

He dog-ears the book page and sets it on the table. “I’m Ryan.” He holds out his hand to me.

I’ll try not to hold that against him. It’s one of the many no-no’s of a book reader.

“I’m Cassie; nice to meet you, Ryan.” I reach out and place my hand in his.

A surge of electricity flows from my fingers to my toes. What is it about him that is making my stomach squirm? I haven’t felt this way about anyone since…well…since ever actually.

“Cassie, it’s nice to meet you too.” He slowly releases my hand from his.

Max wanders around the table and raises his paw. I glance at Ryan who gives me a nod of reassurance.

“And hello to you too, Max.” I grab his paw and gently shake it. He lays his head on my lap, and I pet his head. “Is he normally so friendly with strangers?”

“He knows a good person when he meets one,” Ryan laughs. “So what brings you to Coffee Loft this morning, besides halfheartedly typing on your computer?” he teases.

I feel my cheeks turning red. “Well, I was working, but Mr. Max, here, was a bit distracting.” I ruffle the top of Max’s head. Those words come out easily. Something about Ryan puts me at ease and makes me feel comfortable—while also sending a billion butterflies to my stomach.

“Sometimes distractions can be good, don’t you think?” The corner of Ryan’s mouth curves into a smile.

“Depends on the distraction.” I give him a grin back then look at Max. “And you are the best kind of distraction, aren’t you, buddy?” I say in a high-pitched voice.

I hear Ryan’s phone buzz, and he pulls it out of his pocket.

“Excuse me.” He stands and walks away as he answers the phone.

When he comes back, he looks apologetic. “Duty calls. It was really nice meeting you, Cassie.”

“You too, Ryan. Bye, Max!”

He grabs his book and coffee and heads down the stairs.

I watch them as they go. Before he walks out of the door, he turns, looks up at me, and smiles.

A short conversation with a stranger, a cute pup, and a dozen butterflies later, I know one thing—he’s a distraction alright.

2

Ryan

“C’mon, boy,” I call out to Max. “Time to get to the station.”

I open the door to my truck, and he jumps inside. I set my giant coffee in the cup holder. When they said lofty, I knew it would be big, but not this big. Good thing I can handle my caffeine intake after all those years of night shift. I turn on the engine and start heading toward the precinct.

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