Page 86 of Invisible String
Her eyes widen. She jumps out of her seat and runs out the door.
What the fuck?Isabelle knows everything. She’s like a mom you can lean on, and she gives her advice that she calls wisdom.
She’s back with herpan dulceand a cup of coffee. She crosses her legs, sets the coffee on my desk, and then rips the bread in half. “Okay, ready for the gossip. You may begin.”
I laugh so hard it steals my breath. “Okay, get comfy.”
For an hour, I spill it all out on the table. Isabella dusts her hands, then takes a sip of her lukewarm coffee. “I wish someone would dance with me that way. Aye, how sexy. I’ve seen photos of him online and on the billboards.” She fans herself silly.
I roll my eyes. Out of everything I told her, start to finish. She’s caught up on the dancing part.
“It sounds like he regrets it. Maybe you should at least listen to what he has to say. You don’t know if there is a good reason behind it.”
She has a valid point. But I really don’t want to know. Do I?
“He didn’t love me. If he did, even a small amount, it wasn’t enough for him to want me in any way. I never had his number or knew where to find him. He can’t pop into my life again for the second time now. I built my walls from steel. I can’t fall in love with him again, Isabella. I can’t let him in, only for him to disappear again and leave me. It’s not happening. I’m more afraid of Max Cano than if a masked man were to chase me down an alley.” My voice breaks. I take out a bottle of water to wash out my raspy voice.
“You’ve read too many books,” she says with a sigh.
We get back to work. My sister has been a lifesaver. I have two interviews tomorrow. She leaves next week. That gives me this week to get more help. The idea of a small bookstore and café was brilliant.
The door chimes open. I ignore it until I hear the husky, familiar voice. My heart drops to the pit of my stomach. Isabella’s cheeks go hot red when he responds to her. “Good morning.”
I’m definitely not looking his way. Why did my sister decide to take a break now? I’m stocking more cookies and pastries. My hands tremble, and it’s frightening how his presence makes me a total mess.Get a hold of yourself, Rainey. You idiot. Show no interest.
“Handsome, this young lady will help you.” From the corner of my eye, Isabella nods with a Cheshire Cat smile. “Rainey, I need to go to the back and check on the bread in the oven.”
Oh no, she didn’t. She speeds off before I can catch her. We have no bread in the oven.
“Good morning,” Max says.
I’m forced to look at him. God, he’s beautiful, mesmerizing, and those tattoos are dangerously delicious. The muscle upon muscle is orgasmic.
“What can I get you, sir?” I say flatly, ignoring the thunder in my chest.
“Today’s special. Chili beans and cornbread.” He shoves his hands in his pockets and gives me a small smile. His green eyes sparkle.
My lips go into a straight line. I fill a bowl with chili beans, add a sprinkle of cheese and sour cream, and garnish it with green onions. I place a large slice of warm, buttered cornbread on a plate. His gaze follows my every move. What the hell is he doing here? Didn’t he get the memo the last two times we spoke?
“Thirty dollars,” I say.
He raises a brow. “Thirty? For a small bowl of chili and cornbread?” His gaze hits the menu.
“Yup. Prices went up as of this second. Can I get you anything else, sir?”
He fucking smirks. “I’ll have an iced tea from the cooler. I’m sure the price is worth it. What’s your name, beautiful?” Hewinks, and my ears grow hot.
What is he playing at? It doesn’t help that I want to melt into him.
“Rainey.” I take the debit card from him and tap it.
As he leans against the counter, his biceps bulge and ripple under his tanned skin as he supports his weight. Immediately, I want to curse my staff for leaving me alone with him. Well, besides a couple drinking a cup of coffee, deep in a conversation. He smells so good, like mint and aftershave.
“Rainey,” he says, my name like he’s testing it out for the first time. “It’s nice to meet you, Rainey. Can I ask you to join me for dinner?”
I shrug, playing his game. “Why would I want to date or have dinner with you when I don’t know your name?”
His eyes linger on my lips.
