Page 39 of Espresso Your Love

“Thank you, everyone,” I end the meeting, and the room clears.

“We make a good team, Officer Hayes.”

“That we do, Ms. Thompson.”

She smiles up at me, and her blue eyes sparkle, even in the dim yellow lighting.

“I should get going. I have a lot of last minute details to finish,” she says as she begins to gather her things.

“Anything I could help with?”

“Are you crafty?” she asks with a hint of laughter in her voice.

“Not in the slightest.”

She chuckles and pats my arm. “Well, at least you’re honest. Thanks for offering, but Ashley’s coming over to help me tonight since tomorrow I’ll be busy.” She smiles at me.

“Oh, really? Got a hot date or something?”

She tilts her head and smirks mischievously. “Or something.”

I raise an eyebrow. “So that’s how this is going to go, hmm?”

Placing a hand over her heart, she adopts a heavy Southern accent. “Whatever do you mean?”

We both laugh then she playfully winks at me. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I watch as she leaves the room, her spunkiness leaving a smile on my face. There’s never a dull moment when she’s around.

I walk over to Max, who’s lying in the back corner. “Ready to go too, buddy?” I pet the top of his head.

“Hayes, you still here?” Chief Dobbs pops his head into the room.

“Yes, sir.” I stand and walk to him.

“How are you feeling about the festival?”

“We walked through the plans again, and everyone is prepared.”

“That’s good to hear. And how do you feel?”

Seems like an odd question. My old chief never asked us about our feelings. “Good, sir.”

He nods slowly. “Okay, good. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

“Thank you, Chief.”

With that, he disappears. A sense of unease settles in my gut. Maybe that’s his way of checking in on his team or maybe he’s worried about my abilities, too. If I were him, I wouldn’t have given the man who almost lost lives, including his own, such an important role in his town.

I turn back to Max who jumps up. “Let’s go home.”

I drive slowly through the small town. The sun is setting, casting a golden hue across the buildings. An image of Cassie pops into my head: Her eyes shine bright and the way her whole face changes when she smiles. She has a spark that draws you in. It’s like I can feel her hand brushing mine or her arms around my neck. A sense of calm washes over me, thinking about spending the evening with her tomorrow, and I, even, go to bed early, like an excited schoolboy hoping that sleep will bring tomorrow sooner.

The day passes in a haze, and I rush home to get ready. My shift was busy but easy, and now, I stand before my bathroom mirror. I take a deep breath as I adjust the collar of my blue shirt. My heart is pounding, and my nerves are spiking just thinking of her. I’m an officer of the law; I shouldn’t bethisnervous.

“Wish me luck, Max?” He stares at me with his big brown eyes and lets out a small bark. “Thanks, buddy.” I pat his head, giving him a reassuring smile.

I walk over to her house, and before I can knock on the door, it swings open to reveal Cassie. She’s wearing a blue dress with curls framing her face.

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