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“I’m so sorry,” I rushed to say. I couldn’t believe I did this. Looking at the person’s stomach, I noticed I got coffee on theirshirt as well. “Shit, let me grab some napkins.” Luckily, I had a few on the table and reached forward to blot the light gray shirt with a large wet spot on the front. But when I did, the person jumped back.
That was when I looked higher and saw eyes so light blue, they were nearly clear. Nearly black straight hair brushed his shoulders as he peered down at his shirt. “It’s fine,” he said. “No worries.”
“I have napkins.” I held them out awkwardly. “I swear I didn’t mean to spill it. At least it wasn’t hot.” If there was any saving grace, it was that.
He shook his head. “It’s okay. I don’t live too far from here. I can get changed.”
The door to the coffee shop opened and a big, hulking guy stepped in with his eyes moving from the man in front of me to me. His blond hair was slicked back, and his eyes were hard. I retreated until my legs hit the chair and I dropped onto it. The big guy peered down at me as he got closer.
“Stop,” the man I spilled coffee on said, getting between us. “Jesus, it’s just coffee. It’s not like he tried to kill me.”
“Are you sure?” the big guy said in a deep, rough voice.
“Yeah, just go. And if you say anything…”
The big guy took a step back. “It was an accident, right?”
I nodded fast when he looked at me again, hoping he understood I was no threat and wouldn’t harm a soul.
He grunted and spun on his heel to head out the door. My eyes were wide as I tracked him disappearing down the sidewalk and out of sight.
“Hey,” the man I spilled coffee on said softly. He was closer when I peered up at him, a sheepish smile teasing his lips. “I’m sorry about that.”
“You have a bodyguard?” It wasn’t my business to ask, yet I did anyway, curiosity getting the better of me.
He rubbed the back of his neck, causing his shirt to lift to reveal a sliver of smooth skin. “It’s complicated.”
“I honestly didn’t mean to spill coffee on you.”
“I know. Let me get you a fresh cup.”
“No.” I shook my head and stood. “Thank you, but I was returning the mug when you walked by. I’ve been sitting here too long, staring at the paper like it would magically produce a place for me to live.” I rolled my lips in, begging myself to shut up. This man didn’t need my life story. He came here to get a drink or a snack and I ruined his morning. There was no reason for me to make it worse by word vomiting all over him.
“In the paper? I didn’t think people still read those.”
I shrugged. “It was a last resort.”
Just then, my phone on the table lit up with Dash’s name. I grabbed it and sent the call to voicemail.
“Was thattheDash Meadows as in the drummer from Ruined and Relinquished?”
This time my lip was between my teeth. I didn’t know who this man was. He could be a creepy stalker. I seemed to attract the worst in men, except for Dash, who I still couldn’t figure out.
“I’ve met him,” he said and ran his hand over his bare arm to his short sleeve like he was momentarily lost in thought. “It was…” He shook his head. It sounded like he knew Dash. Not in a fan who was too close way, but someone who had an interaction that left a lasting memory.
“Dash sort of has that effect, doesn’t he?” I chuckled.
“He does. You know him then?”
“Not well. I mean, I’d like to get to know him better, but I’m me and he’s Dash.”
“Don’t discount yourself like that.” He stepped closer, then seemed to think the better of it and looked around the room. No one watched us as we stood near the corner. He turned so hecould keep the room in front of him. “I’m just saying, he’s a man like us.”
“Sure. Maybe like you, not me.” The guy in front of me was drool-worthy. Not that I was drooling. Fuck, I wasn’t drooling, was I? I swiped the corner of my mouth to check. No drool. With him standing next to me and Dash on my mind, who knew what would happen?
The man shook his head and held out his hand, tentatively, but he did it. “I’m Romeo.”
“Tristan,” I said and extended mine so we could shake. His palm was warm and soft as it pressed to mine.
