Page 4 of The Runaway Bride's Vow

She yanked her thoughts to a halt. She wasn’t going to dwell on the past. She’d left all of that back in Iowa. It was over and finished. So, why did the memory still bother her?

She gave herself a mental shake as she responded to Clara’s last message.

Brooke

I’ll meet with him shortly. But looks don’t matter.

Clara

Looks do matter. He’s a total hottie.

Brooke

Thought you were taken.

Clara

I totally am. Doesn’t mean my eyes stopped working. Maybe you should appreciate the scenery.

Brooke

*eye-roll emoji*

Someone behind her cleared their throat. She glanced up to find the line to the counter had moved up a couple of spots. She stepped forward. Only two more people before it was her turn.

Clara

You didn’t see him yet. You’ll change your mind.

Brooke

No. I won’t.

Clara

You will. Gotta go. We’re finally boarding.

Brooke exhaled a relieved sigh as she dropped her phone into her purse. Clara just wouldn’t give up. She was determined to find someone for her, even though it wasn’t what Brooke wanted. Granted there had been plenty of time since her breakup with Josh to move on and start dating again. She honestly wasn’t interested. Not now. Maybe someday…

“Welcome to Lacy’s.” A young woman with curly red hair didn’t look up from the computer monitor as she spoke. “What can I get you?” When the woman finally raised her head, her gaze landed on Brooke, and a smile lit up her face. “Oh, hi, Brooke. Do you want your usual?”

Brooke nodded to Ellie, who had become a friend. “Sounds good. You’re really busy this morning.”

Ellie put in her order. “We are. They started a promotion this week. Buy one coffee, get one free. And it seems to be a hit. Would you like a second coffee?”

“Not today. Clara is out of town.”

“Maybe they’ll run the sale again when she gets back.” Ellie’s gaze moved to the long line. “I’d love to chat, but the line is past the door now.”

Brooke glanced back and was surprised to see the line streaming out onto the sidewalk. She turned back to Ellie. “Hope things slow down for you.”

“Thanks.”

Brooke moved toward the center counter, which sat over a lighted display case of baked goods. She tried not to look at the display, because she had yet to meet a baked good she didn’t love. But buying coffee and pastries really added up. Most of her paycheck went toward her rent for a seven-hundred-square-foot apartment. Living in the city wasn’t cheap.

There was an older woman already standing at the counter. The woman grabbed a to-go cup and turned for the door. When she moved, Brooke’s gaze landed on a tall, hulk of a man. He was well past six feet tall. She tilted her chin upward to take in his wavy brown hair.

He was reading something on his phone, so he didn’t notice her looking in his direction. It gave her a chance to take in his straight nose, chiseled jaw with a few days’ old scruff and squared chin. Not bad. Not bad at all. And those broad shoulders would be just perfect to lean on.

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