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My brother is as hopeless as I am. When his ears go red and a scowl takes over his face, I know not to joke too far. One-sided crushes aren’t funny. Just like Ryder, the cute doctor that runs the clinic can’t see how obsessed we are for the ones we secretly love.
“Going to grab a drink while you flirt,” I tease before standing. Setting down my laptop, I feel my brother’s glare aimed at my back the whole way to the water cooler against the wall.
Grabbing one of the paper cups, I watch the water pour. Outside of the chatter going on with phone calls, it’s pretty quiet.
Drinking silently, I watch a redheaded giant stroll inside with another man attached to his hip. Partners are always moving in and out of the building, coming and going to save those who are in need of help.
Wesley purposely spends more time at his desk than out in the wild. Personally, I think he’s nuts. I’d love to explore the mountains, taking whatever trail lasts the longest. I’m not too worried about the wildlife. Pretty sure no one’s been eaten lately by any bears.
Well, Wesley hasn’t said anything about finding dead bodies, anyway.
I shiver at the thought. Personally, I wouldn’t want to go up there alone. Maybe if I had a strapping man at my side who already knows the mountain pretty well, then hiking wouldn’t be so scary.
“He’s not giving you too much trouble is he?”
I guess I’m not the only thirsty one here. Unlike Ryder who can act all smooth and relaxed, I almost choke on the liquid in my mouth.
Awesome job, Cassi.
“Oh, um, hello.” My words come out far shakier than I intend.
Even though I am confident that Ryder will be mine one day, I’m not great at the whole talking thing. I might give off some mean confidence in my head, but I’m not as smooth as I want to be. My face is already growing horribly flush, I can feel the heat crawling up my throat.
Ryder cocks a brow before one corner of his lips lifts and I try my hardest to memorize the way he looks when he smirks. Seeing him up close is a whole new challenge, especially when he’s close enough to brush my arm with his if he wanted.
He opens his mouth and looks like he wants to actually have a conversation with me but I toss my cup away and muster a smile.
“Wes is great. Hard worker.” I clear my throat and ignore the tingles exploding in my gut. “I should get back. Thank you.”
As soon as the words leave my lips, I’m running away.
Ifinallyget to talk to the guy and I mess it all up.
Unless I grow a backbone, how am I going to spend time with the guy let alonemarryhim? Something has to change and I swear I’m going to start running toward him instead of running away.
Ryder
She’s hereagain.I’ve lost count of how many weeks it’s been since this habit of hers started.
Whenever Cassi comes in, I don’t need to look her way to know of her arrival. Wherever I can smell the sweet smell of wildflowers, she’s there. Right now, I feel like every breath I suck fills my lungs with the smell.
I try to keep my back turned, my hands busy. As the guy who’s running this joint, how bad will it look if I’m distracted by a cute little thing who comes in every day to visit her brother?
If it wouldn’t make my legs throb like a bitch, maybe I’d run to my office and lock the door so none of that sweet smell can tempt me from doing something impossible to take back.
Wesley has told her not to come multiple times, I’ve heard the words myself a few times, yet the woman still shows up each day like it’s still a surprise.
If Cassi knew how to listen, then I wouldn’t be haunted by her appearance every day I work. To make matters worse, Wesley isn’t even working today. So why on earth did she decide to stroll in?
Has someone caught her eye? A sweet woman like her wouldn’t have any trouble pulling in one of these men. Only a blind man would turn down an invitation like that. Some of these men are more her age, in their twenties. Not me, not even close.
Hell, I’mdoubleher age. I’ve got no reason to even think about such a walking temptation. An impossible relationship at that. I’m good at beating down those thoughts for the most part.
It’s a shame it’s not enough to stop me from looking though, appreciating Cassi from afar.
“Ryder?”
Fuck me.
