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She giggled. “That’s an exciting invitation.”
I was making my way to our table again, this time using the closest path so as not to bring attention to myself.
That’s when I spottedherat the bar. The noises around me ceased, and I couldn’t even hear Mia dismissing one pushy Bob. The woman’s auburn hair was loose, framing her face. Her nose was long in a way that matched her face. And when her striking green eyes turned to me, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Without noticing what I was doing, I walked toward her with absolutely no idea what I was doing.
“I knew coming to this place tonight would be worth it.”
She swiveled on her stool to face me, and I tried not to look at her cleavage like a perv. Man, was it calling for me. “That’s a bold statement, don’t you think? I can assure you I’m not leaving this place with you.” Her assessment of me told me otherwise, and seeing the lust shining in her eyes made me grateful for my time as a Navy SEAL.
“Getting to see you tonight was more than enough for me.”
“You’re good.” Her smile was seductive. “But you’re too late. I’m here to see someone else.” That’s when I remembered I was also here with someone else. Not in the same capacity, but still.
“I can wait for my turn. I’m most definitely not threatened.” I wasn’t. “I’m working tonight.” I shouldn’t have said that. For all intents and purposes, I was celebrating my anniversary with myBoo. “But don’t you worry.” I leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “We’re happening.” Her shiver was answer enough.
Then I headed back to my table. Mia and I soon wrapped things up, having collected what intel we could to discuss later.
Since we came together, I dropped Mia off at her place and waved at a smiling Gabe standing by the front window. As soon as she closed her door on her, Gabe, and Haley, I went home, thinking about the gorgeous woman from the bar.
I couldn’t wait to see her again. Sexy and beautiful—
Son of a bitch, I didn’t ask her name.
Men were jerks. All of them. I couldn’t believe I almost fell for another line.
After so long of feeling lonely, I decided to try the whole dating thing again. What a disaster.
The guy I met was a tool of epic proportions. Rude, unattractive, and misogynistic. I still couldn’t believe he asked me to put on a jacket so I wouldn’t show much skin.
Yet he wasn’t worse than the lying sex-on-a-stick that tried (and almost succeeded) to seduce me. When he approached me at the bar, I prayed he was the man I was supposed to meet. His confident walk toward me was already a turn-on. Added that to his crooked smile, devilish hazel eyes, probably two days’ worth of stubble, and a body that wouldn’t quit, I was ready to say yes to pretty much anything.
Do as you please, show me the goods, make a baby with me. Oh, the irony.
My surprise—and disgust—when he left the restaurant holding hands with a beautiful brunette was the slap in the face I needed.
“Working,” my ass.
I felt sorry for the woman for being cheated on—I hardly doubt I was the first one he made a proposition to—but I felt worse for almost being cheated with.
Although, that didn’t matter. My focus was on getting ready to start the next chapter of my life and finally make my dreams come true.By Any Beanswas about to become a reality. Just a couple more days, and I’d open the doors to a project I’d been nurturing for years.
When I found that place in quaint Holy Water, I felt like I was finally where I was supposed to be. The property wasn’t big, which was fine by me, because it meant the rent wouldn’t break me. Although it wasn’t cheap by any means, considering its great location on Main Street.
It was close to many already established businesses, and their workers were inviting and warm. I’d searched for so long for a place where I’d call home and feel welcome—two things I’d never got to feel living with my mother.
As soon as I was of age, I left her place and ran to freedom, but the bad taste in my mouth from her disdain—and the constant doubts she planted in my head—remained.
I believed everyone had a voice inside their heads that told them they weren’t good enough. Mine was outside my head, eating in the kitchen, and I was forced by law to call it “Mother.”
I didn’t even tell her about this place, and I wasn’t planning on doing so any time soon. What was the point? She’d just make me feel bad for doing it wrong, guilty for walking away from her—even though she didn’t want me around—and wary I’d fail even before I began.
This was my baby, and I needed it to succeed. I spent too much money and my heart on it.
I was a gut-believer. I listened to my feelings and trusted my instincts. I’d been dreaming about my coffee shop for years, but besides my procrastination based on fear, there was always something that stopped me. The timing wasn’t right, I was tight on money, I couldn’t find the right location. That was why I expanded my search to other towns.
Until I found this little gem.
Holy Water was adorable with its many trees,fresh air, and surrounding lake. The little shops along the main street were all different but followed the same architectural pattern, like it was constantly decorated for a holiday only this town celebrated.
