Page 31 of Espresso Your Love

She holds out her license to me, but when I grab it, she won’t let go.

I rest my forearm on the car and lean down.

“Cass, you’re safe with me.” It comes out a lot deeper and more serious than I meant for it to. I was just the King of Cool. I’m not sure what changed, but I do mean it—she’s safe with me.

She lets go of her license, and I take a look at it. I examine every feature. I don’t know why she’s so worried. She’s beautiful here, too. Beautiful when she’s put together, breathtaking in her pajamas and natural beauty, and gorgeous in the dark DMV lighting.

“Your photo looks just like you, why are you so worried?”

“You don’t have to be kind about it, Ryan. Can I have it back?” She reaches for her license.

I pull it away from her. “I’m not done, yet. What don’t you like about it?”

“Really, Ryan? Can I just have it back now?” She trys to snatch it out of my hand.

“I don’t see anything wrong with this picture.”

“You, Officer, should get your eyes checked then. It’s dangerous in your line of work.”

“All I see is the same pretty woman as I do in front of me.”

Her face softens just slightly then her guard goes back up. “You’re a good liar, too. Does the police force teach you that?” She crosses her arms now.

“Cassie,” I say, but she’s looking forward. I place my hand under her chin and turn her face toward me. She stares at me with her ocean-blue eyes. “You look just as beautiful in this photo as every other time I’ve seen you.”

I wish she could see what I see. One minute she seems so sure of herself, confident. But I’ve started to see it’s just a façade. She really doesn’t see how wonderful she is. Not just on the outside,but the inside too. She’s kind and welcoming. Sure, she’s put some distance between us, but I think she’s scared. She must be feeling the same way I do. It’s that unsure, in the middle feeling.

I know it’s only been a few short weeks, but with my training, I’m a good read of character, and so is Max. She’s a good person. From the second I saw her, I thought she was stunning. And every time I’ve been with her since, I slowly see the true Cassie. And today, I saw more of the raw Cassie, without all the frills, i’s dotted, and t’s crossed.

I clear my throat. “Your taillight is out. That’s why I pulled you over.”

She continues to stare at me. “I’ll be sure to get it fixed, Officer.”

“How about I come over tomorrow morning to fix it?”

She slowly nods her head. “Okay, tomorrow.”

I tip my hat. “Tomorrow.” Then I step back and watch her drive away.

I look down at her picture in my hands. I forgot to give her driver’s license back to her. I tap her driver’s license in my hand then start walking back to my patrol car.

That turned…serious. I shake my head, grinning at my own foolishness. I don’t know what came over me. As I slide into the cruiser, Max tilts his head at me.

“Don’t say a word,” I warn him.

He whines, and I pet his head. “It’s time, buddy. I didn’t get to ask her the other night after the town meeting so tomorrow’s the day. Hopefully, I haven’t been reading into this wrong and I’m not about to make a fool of myself. You think she likes me, buddy?”

Max barks.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

The rest of my shift goes by quickly and is uneventful, which I’m thankful for. Cassie’s blue eyes and radiant smile keepflashing through my mind. I went by the store to get the light for her car after work then went home. I try to sleep, but I’m anxious about tomorrow.

What if I’m reading into this wrong? What if she rejects me? Won’t it be awkward working together and being neighbors? I would have to keep my cool—be nonchalant about it all. But it’s anything but that. With Cassie, it feels like this is more. And that scares me. I wish I could talk to Dad about it. This seems like something he’d have some good advice on.

While it was a rough night, I am looking forward to today. I jump out of bed and get my running gear on. A quick run to Coffee Loft will give me something to get the jitters out, and I’ll grab something for Cassie and me.

The morning air is brisk, and it’s beginning to get colder, but I don’t mind. Max trots beside me until we reach Coffee Loft. I really enjoy coming here as often as I can. It’s always so lively. Well, when there aren’t goats eating the scarecrows.

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