Page 1 of Wild Tangled Hearts

PartOne

The Meet Cute Marathon

Meet-cutes: Because sometimes, fate needs a little help from clumsy humans to make us believe in love stories.

Chapter1

The Meet Cute Marathon

The school bell has released me from a classroom that had become a battlefield of crayon warfare and art project casualties. I swear, teaching art should come with a warning label: “May incite glitter-induced chaos.”

As I restore order to the room, a sigh of relief escapes my lips, and I can’t help but reflect on the absurdity of my love life, or rather the glaring absence of it.

I’ve had more chemistry with the classroom’s pet goldfish, Bubbles, than with any potential guy lately. But, to be honest, I’ve been okay with it. After all, a single broken heart is one too many in my book.

Have I mentioned that I’ve mastered the art of heartbreak avoidance? I was in love once. Or at least, I thought I was. Until I discovered the guy was sleeping with my best friend. So, while they’re living out their happily ever after in suburbia with two kids and a labradoodle, I’ve been content to embrace my single status.

There are plenty of silver linings to being unattached.Right?I get the entire bed to myself, the toilet seat’s always in the down position, and that last, precious slice of pizza is my undisputed territory.

But, I’ll confess, there’s been this persistent little itch lately, an itch my trusty vibrator can’t quite scratch. Yet, even if I’m willing to take another chance at love, I swear this town is like a deserted island when it comes to hot, single guys. They’ve all gone into hiding or formed an underground society of eligible bachelors, and I missed the memo.

To lift my spirits, I escape to the “Artful Bean,” my favorite local coffee shop, where the barista knows me by name and knows my drink order by heart: a caramel macchiato.

As I push open the door to the coffee shop, I’m enveloped by the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee, like a warm hug for my senses. My moment of aromatic bliss is abruptly interrupted when I run straight into a wall of pure, rippling muscle.

My unexpected collision with what feels like a solid oak tree sends me stumbling backward, but I regain my balance with the help of one firm, calloused hand that grabs my arm.

A deep, chuckling voice responds, “Easy there.”

After taking an appreciative moment to admire the tree of a man standing in front of me, my eyes finally lift from the impressive bulging muscles that threaten to burst through the confines of the man’s shirt.

As I regain my senses, I’m met with warm, hazel eyes that twinkle with amusement. His tousled sun-kissed hair, faded jeans, and well-worn boots hint at recent adventures in the great outdoors. He looks like he’s just walked out of a hiking catalog, and I can’t help but feel captivated by the rugged charm that oozes from him.

“Sorry, I...um, didn’t see you,” I blurt out, my words stumbling over each other as I fumble for something more profound to say, realizing that eloquence is not my strong suit at this particular moment.

“No harm done,” he winks, his hand still on my arm, his touch sending a shiver of warmth straight through my body. “I’d be happy to have you run into me anytime.”

My cheeks heat, and I can’t help but smile. “Well, come by here any day and you probably will.”

One brow lifts. “I just might start,” he says, releasing me. He grins, revealing a charming set of dimples, and extends his hand. “I’m Alex, by the way.”

I shake his hand, feeling that same delightful tingle run up my arm. “I’m Bella, the art teacher at Crestwood Elementary.” I pause, realizing I’ve introduced myself as if we’re in a formal interview. “Sorry about that. It’s like I’m presenting my credentials for a first date or something.”

Alex’s laughter fills the air, his eyes dancing with amusement. “Well, if that’s the case, consider yourself hired. Now, all I need is your number so we can set it up.”

“Oh...um...”Is this seriously happening?

“Unless you’re not interested,” he says, his hazel eyes never leaving mine, a playful challenge in his gaze.

“I’m interested,” I blurt out with too much enthusiasm, making him chuckle again. I scramble to get my phone out of my purse, my hands trembling as I hand it to him to input his number.

When he hands it back, he gives me another charming, dimpled grin. “Hope to hear from you soon, Bella.”

My heart does a little pitter-patter thing as I watch him walk out the door, and I can’t help but feel like I’ve just stepped into a rom-com movie, and the leading man has just asked for my number.

Savoring the warm, fuzzy feeling from my run in with Alex, I stroll up to the counter and place my order for my trusty caramel macchiato. Sarah, the barista, greets me with her familiar smile, affirming that this daily ritual has become a cherished routine here.

“I see you’ve met our handsome new regular,” she says with a wink.

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