Page 15 of Hunter

He prowled toward the counter, and I dropped the pastry tongs with a loud clatter, fumbling to catch them as they bounced off the edge of the display case.

Wesley’s mouth twitched. The curve of his lips wasn’t quite a smile, but it was close enough for butterflies to swirl in my belly.

“Morning, sunshine,” he rumbled, voice like rough gravel.

“Wesley.”

I’d been dreaming about this moment all day, but his name was all I could get out.

He stopped in front of the counter, those golden eyes scanning the pastry case like he was sizing up a threat.

“Coffee,” he said, voice low and gravelly.

I nodded quickly and grabbed a cup, feeling his gaze on me the whole time. My hands shook just enough that I almost dropped the lid, but I managed to snap it on without incident. When I slid the cup across the counter to him, I blurted, “You should get a cookie, too.”

Wesley quirked a brow.

“On the house,” I added hastily, feeling my cheeks heat. “You know…for helping out with our security system.”

“You wanna pick one out for me, I’ll eat it.”

I scrambled to grab a wax paper bag and dropped a double chocolate chip cookie inside. It was still warm from the oven because Marcy had just made another batch since they’d turned out to be a bestseller.

Wesley handed me a crumpled five-dollar bill, his big fingers brushing mine in the exchange. The brief contact sent a jolt up my arm, and I dropped the cash.

Proving he was as observant as I thought—and had incredible reflexes—he caught the money and pressed it back into my hand.

“Thanks.”

His gaze lingered on my face for a beat, and then he nodded once before turning to go.

He paused when the bell over the door jingled, and Austin strolled inside, his gaze immediately searching me out. Hunter faced away from me so I couldn’t see his expression, but when Austin finally noticed him staring, he paled a little. After a second, Hunter’s head twisted around, and his eyes were filled with heat, making goose bumps break out over my skin. Then he looked at Austin one more time before moving toward the exit again.

I watched him walk out, the bell over the door jingling softly behind him.

Only after he disappeared down the street did I realize I was still standing there, clutching the five-dollar bill like a lifeline. And grinning like a lovesick fool.

I worked on autopilot when Austin ordered a muffin and barely processed his attempts to start a conversation. When he left, I pulled the bill from where I’d stuffed it in my pocket and stared at it dreamily.

Thank goodness Marcy was also an amateur matchmaker because, after watching the entire interaction, she didn’t chastise me for being such a hot mess around Wesley. Instead, she shot me a triumphant grin and singsonged, “Told you so.”

Not even her boast could pop my bubble. I floated through the rest of the afternoon in a haze of happiness, replaying every second of Wesley’s visit in my head. By the time the clock hit closing, I practically hummed as I stacked the chairs. Marcy was counting out the register, humming along to the oldies station we always kept playing low in the background.

“I’ll check the mailbox before I head out,” I called, grabbing my bag from the office.

“Thanks, hon!” Marcy replied, not looking up.

The small metal box was mounted on the wall just outside the front door. I twisted the knob and pulled it open, expecting nothing more exciting than a flyer or two. Instead, a folded sheet of paper sat inside.

My brows drew together when I lifted it out and noticed nothing was written on the outside.

Even though the street was empty, I glanced around before I flipped it open.

Stay away from them.

That was it. I had no idea what the message meant. Or who wrote it since there wasn’t a signature at the bottom.

My heart started to pound, hard and fast.

---