“I would rather know that what we have is more than just a ‘what if’ before we change it. You just got out of a relationship, and the last thing I want is for us to rush into something just because there’s a spark.”
“A spark?” she asks.
“Well, yeah. I mean, there is on my end, at least.”
Anastasia smiles, her hazel eyes brightening. “I’d agree with that.” She leans back and studies me. “Where do we go from here?”
“Friends? With the hope of maybe more someday?” I ask. “I want to give you time, but not another six years.”
She laughs softly. “That’s a deal, Sawyer. So long as you start coming into the coffee shop again. I’ve kinda missed you annoying me on a daily basis.”
I flash her a grin, feeling more like myself than I have in a long time. “Deal.”
“And thanks for saving my life, by the way. It’s six months overdue, but if you hadn’t followed me outside that night, I probably wouldn’t be here.”
The instant image of her standing on the edge of the street, headlights headed straight for her, is one I doubt I will ever get out of my mind. I’d spent all night sitting up, sick to my stomach, thinking exactly that.
If I hadn’t followed her out, she could have died.
“Since I don’t normally park in front of your shop, I wasn’t paying as much attention as I should have been. And, because I was so angry at you, I didn’t properly thank you. So, thanks, Sawyer.”
But there is more to it than that because she’d locked up as she stared down those headlights. Still, if she doesn’t want to talk about it, I’m more than happy to wait until she is. So I don’t ask the one question that’s been on my mind since that night: What happened in your past that caused you to freeze like that?
“I’ll always protect you, Anastasia. No matter what.”
In a better mood than I’ve been in since Jack first walked into Anastasia’s life, I’ve already finished up two oil changes, a tire rotation, and a belt replacement by lunch. The sun even seems brighter today, or maybe that’s just because all is right in my world.
Anastasia and I are friends again. And what’s more is that it’s with the acknowledgement of that inexplicable spark that’s been between us since day one.
“I’m gonna go grab a coffee. Want one?” I ask Drew.
He eyes me, brow lifted. “Why? So it can be cold when you come back in an hour? At least, when you two were in your feud, I got hot coffee.”
I laugh. “I’ll order it right before I come back, honest.”
“Nah, I’ll stick with the break room pick me up. Thanks.”
“Suit yourself.” After washing my hands in the garage sink, I dry them quickly then step out into the bright afternoon sun. Her coffee shop is right across the parking lot we both share, a beacon calling me back to normalcy.
The scents of freshly baked goods and strong coffee wrap around me as I step inside. My gaze scans the room, looking for Anastasia, and when I spot her re-stocking coffee mugs on the far wall, my heart finally feels whole. Complete.
Especially when she turns and smiles at me. “Hey there, stranger.”
“Hey.”
“Your usual?” Katelyn calls out to me from behind the counter, a knowing smile on her face.
“Yeah, thanks,” I reply without looking away from Anastasia. We might as well be the only two in this coffee shop because she’s all I see.
Color dusts her cheeks, and she carries a now-empty basket over toward me. Her hand gently pats my chest, those pink fingernails a bright splash of color against my stained white t-shirt. The touch ignites my blood. It sizzles along my skin.
“Grab a seat; we’ll bring it to you. I even saved your table.” She nods toward the table at the back corner, and I laugh when I see a Reserved sign sitting on top.
“Am I that predictable?”
“I like to think I just know you exceptionally well. If you give me a minute, I can spare some time. That is, if you’d like to chat for a bit.”
“That’s why I’m here.” It feels so good not to have to pretend that I only see her as a friend or to hide the lingering looks as I withdraw the crossword puzzle I carried over in the pocket of my coveralls and take a seat.
