Page 52 of Espresso Your Love

“Just promise you won’t forget about little old me when you become a famous event planner.” She nudges me.

“I could never.” I give her an appreciative smile and squeeze her back.

I instruct my team on what to take down tonight and delegate what needs to be done tomorrow. I leave for the initial meeting for the Mercer wedding in the morning. It’ll be a quick day trip, but they’ll have to finish cleaning up without me.

Exhaustion finally catches up with me as I collapse into bed, my feet throbbing from standing all day. As I close my eyes, I’m plagued with an image of Ryan’s worried face. I hoped to see him again tonight or maybe run into him when I got home, but I didn’t see him at all.

The evening plays over and over again in my head, like an incessant loop. It starts with us eating hamburgers together, then we’re running through the maze together, and when the loud boom occurs, Ryan is at my side holding my hand. But then he starts to slip away, and I can’t hold onto him any longer. His fingers leave mine as he falls into a dark pit.

I jolt awake in my bed, heart pounding and sweat beading on my forehead. Slowly, I realize that it was all just a dream. The red numbers on my clock glare back at me, and I reach for my glasses. 4:30 AM.

I groan, falling back onto my pillow, and closing my eyes. Normally, I would get up and go for a run, but it’s my rest day. I knew I’d be exhausted from yesterday and have a long day ahead of me. But I guess I’ll do a short one then get everything ready for my flight, before a quick trip to Coffee Loft.

When I get to Coffee Loft, luggage in tow, it’s already bustling with energy.

“You’re here! I wasn’t expecting you today,” Ash greets me as she’s wiping down a table.

“Early bird catches the worm, right?” I manage a half smile.

“I mean this in the nicest way possible…but you look exhausted.”

“I am. I need coffee in an IV, stat.” I pat my arm.

“I don’t have a license for that. But I can get you a lofty. For here or to-go?”

“To-go. Add extra shots too. I’m going to need it.”

“You got it!” She winks at me, heading behind the counter to work her magic at the espresso machine.

I sit down at one of the tables by the window, pulling out my phone. I confirm the address to the driver that the Mercers insisted on sending for me. It’s not terribly long to the airport, but it will give me a little extra time to prepare for the meeting today. My phone continues to buzz one notification after another, mostly from social media and emails.

The Autumn Festival was a hit! I respond to a few emails that require immediate attention and flag a few to respond to later.

“You’re going to be fantastic. Just like you always are.” Ashley hands me a lofty to-go cup filled with golden liquid energy. It’s not an IV, but it’ll have to do.

“Thanks, Ash.” I inhale the rich aroma before taking a sip. I look up out the window when I see a black limo pull up. “It’s not every day you see one of those in our little town.” I chuckle as I stand.

“Have a safe flight, and remember how amazing you are!”

I give her a quick hug before grabbing my luggage in one hand and my lofty coffee in the other. As I struggle to open the door, it finally pops open. I look up to see none other than OfficerRyan Hayes holding the door open with his trusty sidekick next to him.

“Morning, Cassie.” He grins at me, his green eyes sparkling even though there’s an awkward tension between us.

“Morning.” I return his smile, a tad uncomfortably. A million questions whirl through my head, but this is not the time or place to ask them.

“Need some help?” he asks, reaching for my luggage.

“Ms. Thompson, I presume?” an older man in a suit with a driver’s hat asks.

“Yes,” I respond with a nod.

“I’ll take your luggage, miss,” the man says.

“Thank you,” I tell the driver, and he walks it to the limo.

“Fancy ride. The success of the Autumn Festival is already paying off?” He laughs lightly.

“My clients insisted…well, potential clients. I guess I’ll find out today.”

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