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Regardless of being a mother and wife, she always looked like she was on top of everything. She was a force to be reckoned with.
“Yes, please,” I returned warmly, excited for another cup. Making my own coffee at home wasn’t the same.
“You’ve got it,” she said, punching in the amount.
As I went to pay, River gave me a curious look. “Any exciting new assignments you’re working on?”
“Yes, actually,” I began, watching as she hurried to make my coffee without holding up the customers behind me. “I was just assigned a new one. There’s a new tattoo shop opening soon, and I’m heading over to get the details.”
River gasped with exaggerated excitement as she leaned closer. “What are the odds the owner’s cute? Maybe you’ll get something more than just an article out of it.”
Fighting back the slight blush at her words, I waved her off with a snicker. “I don’t think this story will be that exciting, River.”
As a head reporter, I took my job seriously. I wouldn’t let something like that get in the way of writing a solid piece about what could turn out to be a solid new business in town.
She laughed quietly at that and handed me my coffee. “For your sake, I hope it is.”
“It’s strictly business,” I said in return, hoping to be convincing enough not to show my own curiosity. I couldn’t help but wonder who the owner might be, and if he was as hot as River teased he could be.
I did always have a thing for tattoos.
Growing up in Rose Valley, I knew most of the men in town, and most were like brothers to me. This made it challenging to find the right person to click with.
It always made me curious about any newcomers, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
“Good luck on the assignment,” River said, making me remember I was still in line.
“Thank you,” I returned gently, smiling as I went off with my fresh coffee. “Have a good one!”
My brief conversation with River made me feel refreshed as I continued through town, growing more interested in who I’d be speaking with.
Coffee in hand, I continued down the street and glanced down at the note with the address written on it. It was a fair walk from the office, but luckily, River's coffee shop was practically in the heart of town and was on the way to the new parlor.
I didn't need to keep track of the building numbers for long since there was a truck parked on the street with a full bed of various things a tattooist would need.
The door to the place was propped open, and while it didn't have a sign-up yet, the paper that had covered the windows was taken down, and the owner was no doubt moving his things inside.
After watching for a moment, I was caught as the man stepped outside and headed for the truck once more.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until he turned his head.
I froze on the spot.
That single glance was enough to send not only shock but also years of distress and embarrassment I had stashed away within myself.
It was him. Liam Saunders.
Standing there on the street, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
The new owner and entrepreneur was the same person who used to bully me relentlessly in school.
My grip loosened around my coffee, nearly dropping it on the concrete below me. Clutching the cup harder, I swallowed against the lump in my throat.
It didn't matter what day of the week it was or how much time was at his disposal; Liam would put in the effort to make sure I was as miserable as possible.
He would pick on me in front of his friends, embarrassing me until I was completely pink in the face. He would taunt me, call me names, and try to remind me of all the reasons I wasn't good enough.
It didn't matter how many times I tried just to ignore him or warn him I'd tell a teacher.
