Page 23 of Espresso Your Love

“I don’t think it’ll ever get boring here.” I start to pour hot water into the mugs.

“Have y’all heard from Paige recently?” Hope asks.

“Yeah, I just talked to her today actually,” I say with a smile. “We were finalizing the programs for the Autumn Festival.”

“Aw, I wish she was here! I miss her,” Ash says.

“Is she coming to town soon?” Charity asks.

I nod. “She mentioned she was trying to get some time off to come home for the festival. If she does, we need another girl's night to catch up!”

“We’re in!” they all agree enthusiastically.

8

Ryan

Cassie is my neighbor; that’s a nice surprise. When she opened the door and I saw her in her pajamas and hair a mess, it was such a contrast to the Cassie I normally see. She’s always impeccably put together, from her outfit to her hair. But yesterday, I saw another part of her. The relaxed, down-to-earth Cassie—except for her behavior.

One minute she was nice and the next she was short. Like she didn’t know how to react. Maybe it's because she was caught off guard, I was too, or maybe she is just as affected by me as I am by her.

I wonder if Ethan knew…I’m sure he did and didn’t bother to tell me. His words echo in my head.The house will be good for you. Either he knew or he just meant it would be good to get out of the Cozy Nook Inn.

But now, I have a front-row seat to Cassie. She’s always at Coffee Loft, we’re working on this event together, and now she’s my neighbor. We’ll be running into each other while carrying the groceries in the house or taking the trash out.

The rest of the week goes by in a blur. Anytime I’ve seen her, which I can count on one hand, she’s been cordial but distant. No banter, no witty comments. Maybe she’s nervous about the festival? She mentioned how important this is to her career.

Maybe she’s just not interested. That thought stings a bit.

“Earth to Hayes.” Mitchell gives me a playful punch on the arm. “Care to share with the class?”

“Oh, nothing. Just zoning out.”

“I think it’s about your neighbor.” Mitchell gives a knowing smirk as he rubs Max’s head.

“You knew didn’t you? You had to know the house for rent was next to Cassie.”

“Hey, you needed a house, and I helped you find one,” he defends.

I shake my head.

“Just make a move. Remember step two: Action.” He slaps me on the shoulder.

“But then step three: the inevitable.”

“I was wallowing in self-pity. But that’s not you. Like I said, I think Cassie likes you.”

I huff. “Have you seen the way she’s been with me lately? It’s the opposite of like.”

“Maybe she’s scared too and needs to know how you feel. So you taking the first step, like asking her out, would give her confidence on how you feel.”

I give him a flat, disbelieving stare. “Do you hear yourself?”

He furrows his brow. “What?”

“Why aren’t you taking your own advice with Ashley?”

He waves his hand in the air. “It’s not about me right now. I’m givingyoua pep talk. You need to just ask her out.”

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