You would think that living in Nashville would make me immune to all the beautiful women that frequent this particular coffee shop and the surrounding area, but I’m not because I’m me.
I’m awkward.
A loner.
And possess absolutely none of the rugged charm and broody charisma that my uncle, and now boss, does. A fact that was made abundantly clear during our two-hour Zoom meeting.
Apparently, I missed all the good genes on that side of the family.
I look at my watch because even though I set my own hours, Uncle Tom is someone I never want to let down.
Not again.
He gave me a job and a fresh start, using my talents forgoodinstead of, well—not necessarily good.
And I actually enjoy cybersecurity and all it entails.
I like making a difference for once.
Which I won’t be able to do if I die from embarrassment standing in the middle of this coffee shop because I can’t get around the cluster of beautiful women blocking my exit.
Squeezing my eyes together, I take a deep breath and will myself not to fade into the background. “Excuse me.” My voice comes out quiet, and the women don’t even acknowledge me. I can feel my body start to vibrate. I’ve been here too long and I need to go.
Swallowing down my frustration, I try again, but the words are only a squeaky whisper.
I’m just about to open my mouth again when I hear my name from across the room.
My nickname.
The one reserved for exactlyonewoman.
I blink and then blink again as my eyes lock on her.
Kinsley Dane is sitting at a table by herself. She waves, her smile bright and aimed right at me. The woman in front of me looks between us, her eyebrows furrowing.
“Come here; I saved you a seat,” Kinsley yells, and just like that, the woman in front of me moves.
I step slowly around her and walk toward my apparent savior. She pushes the chair out across from her with her foot, and slowly I lower myself into it without removing my messenger bag.
“They don’t bite, you know.”
“Some of them do,” I say without thinking and she smiles. It’s both amused and wolfish and really freaking hot.
“See, if you use that kind of attitude, I bet you’d do much better when it comes to trying to get your way.”
She startles a laugh out of me, and I don’t even care that I’m blushing. “I wouldn’t know anything about that.”
“Well, just takes some practice. Everyone can use a little work. Clark Kent, remember?”
“Practice, sure. Yeah, I’m the kind of guy who likes to practice. I must have misplaced my Superman shirt.”
“Practice makes perfect. And we all need to start somewhere.”
“Yeah, but it’s different. You are practicing on the soccer field, and I just need practice with basic social interaction.”
“Checking up on me, are you?”
“You’re hard to miss.”
