Page 40 of Unravel Me

“Right after I left.”

He cocks his head to the side and studies me for a moment before accepting my answer and moving on from it. I appreciate him not asking further questions on the matter. I forgot how easy it is to talk to him. I’m fairly positive he could ask me whatever he wants and I wouldn’t be able to filter myself if I tried. It was always that way. So effortless.

“If you want to leave, we can. Or you can stay out here and I’ll go in and then we can leave. It’s up to you.”

I shift on my feet and twist my fingers in my hand. Sawyer looks down and watches my nervous habit before reaching for them and dwarfing them in his own.

“I would never do anything to hurt you, nor would I ever allow anything to hurt you. Physically, emotionally, or otherwise. Say the word and we’ll leave. But I really want to take you inside for coffee and muffins.”

I really do want a muffin. And coffee. I can do this. I was born and raised here. It can’t break me if I’m already broken anyway.

“Okay.” I take another deep breath. “Let’s go.”

“That’s my girl.”

He only releases one of my hands before turning and pulling me onto the cobblestones and walking us toward Bean Haven.

Ms. Nettie is sitting outside with a tiny dog in her lap.

“Quite the little show you two just put on over there. You back for good, Ivy?”

Stunned by her straightforwardness, I freeze and stumble over what to say.

“Good morning to you, too, Ms. Nettie,” Sawyer says, greeting her.

As if his voice was a trigger, the little dog jumps down from her lap and starts growling and nipping around Sawyer’s feet and ankles.

“Really, Ms. Nettie? Must we do this every time I need a coffee? Minnie belongs on a leash,” Sawyer chastises.

“Her name is Winnie, you fool. She doesn’t need a leash, she only misbehaves when you come around.”

I laugh and Sawyer shoots me a glare. I let go of his hand and kneel down to the little mutt, offering my hand out for her to smell.

“Hi, Winnie. Hi, girl.” She trots over to me and sniffs my hand before giving it a few licks, her tail wagging like crazy.

She allows me to scoop her up and pet her as she snuggles into my chest.

“Winnie is very sweet, Ms. Nettie. Here you go.” I put her back down in her lap and find Sawyer shaking his head at me.

He opens the door to Bean Haven, and I take in the updated decor as I step over the threshold. It has the cutest bohemian vibe. Three of the walls are painted a creamy off-white, while the fourth is red brick.Bean Havenis painted in a gorgeousloopy font above the counter. Live plants hang from the ceiling in some of the corners, while others are in huge wicker baskets. The display case is filled with mouthwatering pastries. This is an entirely different space from what it was when I grew up coming here.

“You’re going to need a rabies shot after touching that feral little thing,” Sawyer whispers in my ear. I feel the pressure of his hand on the small of my back through the leather jacket and my body hums to life, heat traveling through me like a live wire. I ignore it and smack his chest. “Oh, stop it. It’s just a little dog ya big baby.”

“Little dogs aren’t dogs at all. They’re an anomaly, annoying, and that one in particular is a pain in the ass.”

“Oh my god, are you serious right now? It’s a tiny dog the size of your boot, Sawyer. How big of a pain can she really be?”

“You’d be surprised.”

We walk up to the counter and I can’t help but salivate as I look over everything in the display case.

“Hey, Sawyer!” a chirpy female voice yells from the back room. My head shoots up to gauge Sawyer’s reaction to her. I can’t help but feel slightly jealous. Obviously, a man like Sawyer has been with his fair share of women by now, but it doesn’t mean I’m ready to face any of them.

“Hey, Han! My usual please, but double it.”

“Han?” I look at him quizzically.

“I’ll wait until your brain catches up.”

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