"That's all I ask." She finishes her smoothie and stands. "I've got another class in thirty. Text me later?"
"Always."
She blows me a kiss and heads out, leaving me alone with my thoughts and Jess's knowing looks.
"She's right, you know," Jess says, appearing at the counter.
"I know."
"So what are you going to do about it?"
I think about Tyler. About the way he looked at me this morning. About the electricity when our fingers touched.
About the romance novels I read where the shy girl gets the protective Daddy and lives happily ever after.
"I don't know," I admit. "But maybe... maybe it's time to find out." I have no idea if Tyler is a Daddy or not, but I do know he’s definitely an attractive alpha male. I’ll never know anything else if I never talk to him, right?
Jess grins. "That's my girl."
The rest of the day passes in a blur of customers and coffee. But my mind keeps drifting back to Tyler.
To the possibility that maybe Emily is right.
Maybe it's time to take a risk.
Maybe it's time to see if the soldier might want more than just his morning Americano from me.
Maybe it's time to be brave.
My phone buzzes as I'm closing up.
Emily: Proud of you for even considering it. Baby steps, babe.
Chloe: Thanks. Love you.
Emily: Love you too. Now go home, cuddle Mr. Snuggles, and read something spicy. You deserve it.
I smile at my phone.
She knows me so well.
That night, curled up in bed with my ancient teddy bear and the latest Daddy Dom romance from my TBR pile, I let myself imagine.
What if Tyler Reid isn't as unattainable as I think?
What if the sparks Jess keeps talking about are real?
What if I'm brave enough to find out?
I fall asleep with the book on my chest and Tyler's storm-gray eyes in my dreams.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow I'll try to be brave.
Tomorrow I'll actually talk to him.
Tomorrow everything might change.
