Page 29 of Espresso Your Love

I hesitate. Is it really that simple? I wish I could be as confident and carefree as my best friend.

“You’re overthinking again, Cass,” she says, with a knowing smile.

“Why do you have to know me so well?” I groan.

“It’s what best friends are for. Now, let the crushing begin.” She raises her fist in the air. “Cass?” She puts her hands on her hips and furrows her brows.

I decide to save my worries for later. I can live in the moment now. I can swoon, blush, and gush to my best friend about Ryan. Because I really do want to be open to more, to a possibility.I do think there’s something more than just co-workers and neighbors. I want something more.

I nod. “Crushing has begun.”

“Yes!” she squeals. “Now, tell me everything.”

While telling Ash about Ryan, I go from the Ryan-free zone to the Ryan-be-my-boyfriend zone. But if I’m really being honest with myself, I haven’t been in the Ryan-free zone since before Ryan Hayes stepped into Coffee Loft. It was more like a self-delusion where I convinced myself that I could maintain a professional relationship with him. The more I resisted, the worse it got. The “what ifs” continually pops into my head. The “I want more” constantly runs through my mind.

We wander through the store, checking every aisle for inspiration. I’m working on creating a few photo spots for the upcoming festival. Personally, I love it when there are fun backdrops for people to take photos in front of.

My favorite idea so far is using Old Man Tiller’s old blue truck. We’ll decorate it with blankets and pillows in neutral fall colors, string up twinkly lights across the back, and place stuffed pumpkins and candles on crates in front of the truck. It’s going to be beautiful and perfect for families and couples.

“Oh, Ash! Do y’all still have that wooden palette wall from the spring event at Coffee Loft?”

“Yeah, it’s in my parent’s garage. Why? Do you have an idea for it?”

“What if we set it up with some hay bales in the front and added lanterns and buckets filled with apples on the sides?”

“Consider it done. I'll check with my mom about getting it when I get home.”

“Thank you!”

10

Ryan

Just as I was adjusting to the small town life, Meadowbrook threw another curveball at me. And this time, it knocked the wind out of me, literally. Out of nowhere, I get pummeled into the ground by none other than Cassie.

I’ve been replaying this morning’s incident in my head all day. It happened so suddenly that I didn’t even have time to react until her bright blue eyes met mine. Despite all of the training I’ve been through, my reflexes failed me in that moment.

I thought everything was fine until she suddenly bolted. I don’t know if I said something wrong or if she was just that embarrassed by the whole ordeal, even though she did nothing wrong.

Now we’re out on patrol, just Max and I. It’s a slow day, nothing out of the ordinary. A single expired registration and a car parked too close to a fire hydrant are the only minor infractions we’ve encountered.

My attention is caught by someone rolling through a stop sign. I flick my lights on my police cruiser and pull behind thecar, watching as it comes to a stop. As I approach the driver’s window, it rolls down to reveal Aunt Clara.

“Afternoon, Aunt Clara. How are you today?” I greet her with a warm smile.

“Oh just fine, dear. What seems to be the trouble? I wasn’t speeding, was I?” she replies with a hint of concern in her voice.

“No, ma’am. No speeding. But you did roll through that stop sign.”

“Oh, that old stop sign? I’ve been stopping at that thing for forty years. I didn’t think anyone would notice a little roll through. There wasn’t a soul around!” she exclaims.

“I understand. But we always have to stop, even if we don’t see anyone. We gotta keep things safe around here.”

“I suppose so. I’ll do better, Officer Hayes. You can bet on it!”

“I know you will, Aunt Clara. I’ll let you off with just a warning today. Just abide by the signs from now on, alright?” I say with a small chuckle.

“Yes, Officer. Come by the inn, and I’ll make you breakfast sometime,” she offers.

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