"But whywouldyou?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Silently, I shook my head.
He reached out and took my hand in his. "I asked someone to help find her."
"Who?"
"A friend."
I was momentarily speechless. "Seriously?"
"What, you thought I wouldn't?"
The logical part of me was tempted to point out that three kisses didn't make us a couple – even if Iwasdying for kiss number four. But in the end, I made a different confession. "Honestly, I didn't think that far ahead."
Ryder gave my hand a comforting squeeze. "Maybe I'm thinking ahead for both of us."
"But why?" I hesitated. "It's not like you and I are, well…together…or anything."
He grinned. "Eh, give it time."
I had no idea what to say to that. But my stomach said plenty, doing a crazy flip before the butterflies had even begun to settle. And now, I couldn't stop myself from grinning in return. "You reallyareimpossible. You know that?"
"Yup." He moved closer and leaned his forehead against mine. Softly, he said, "But you love it."
He was right. I did. And even worse than that, that little four-letter word – love – was creeping into my thoughts at a crazy speed considering our short acquaintance.
But I couldn't love him.
I barely knew him.
Right?
53
Coffee First, Panic Second
Tessa
When I entered through the coffee shop's rear door, Skip greeted me with a scowl. "You're late."
I glanced at the nearby clock. "I amnot. It's 11:48."
He crossed his arms. "So?"
That ridiculous sign was still fresh in my mind. "So, apparently, we're not opening until noon." I crossedmyarms to match his. "And what's this aboutbarista drama?"
"Youtell me," he said. "You're the one who was late."
"Yeah, well maybe if you'd hire more people, it wouldn't be so 'dramatic' if a barista was missing, now would it?"
Normally, I wasn't so combative, but Ryder's commentary was still ringing in my head.
When it came to this so-called job, Iwasbeing stupid. But I didn't have to be. "And I want to get paid," I blurted, surprising even myself.
"Youarepaid," he said. "The tips, remember?"
