Her hand was still on his. Neither of them moved to break the contact. Tyler could feel his heartbeat in his throat, could see the way Brooke’s breathing had changed.
He should pull away—remember that Boverman was still watching him, still waiting for a reason to make another move—but he couldn’t make himself step back.
“Tyler,” Brooke said, and there was something in the way she said his name that made his chest ache.
“I should go.” But he didn’t move. “You don’t need more complications in your life.”
“Maybe I do.” Her eyes held his.
“Brooke— ”
She stood and went around to his side of the table. Tyler stood too.
They were close. Close enough that he knew the lovely scent from earlier was her shampoo, an intoxicating mix of coconut and vanilla.
Tyler fought the urge to kiss her. Knew he shouldn’t. Getting involved with Brooke, with everything going on, was selfish and wrong.
But the pull was magnetic. Undeniable. He wanted to touch her so badly it hurt.
“Sorry,” he said, even as his hand came up to cup her cheek. “You deserve better than this mess.”
“What if I don’t want better?” Brooke’s voice was barely above a whisper as she turned her cheek into his hand. “What if I want you?”
Tyler started to pull back, to do the right thing and walk away. But Brooke moved in, closing the distance between them.
The kiss was brief. Gentle. Her lips were soft against his, her hand coming up to rest against his chest. It lasted maybe three seconds, but it felt like the world had shifted.
When they pulled apart, both breathing harder, Tyler knew he was in trouble. Because that kiss—brief and gentle as it was—had been amazing. Unforgettable. The kind of kiss you don’t come back from.
“I really should go,” he said again, but this time there was less conviction in his voice.
“Probably.” But Brooke didn’t move away.
They stood there for another moment, the tension between them thick enough to cut. Finally, reluctantly, Tyler stepped back.
“When can I see you again?” The question was out before he could stop it.
“Soon.” Brooke’s smile was small but genuine. “We’ll figure something out.”
He thought about saying how much he liked the sound of that, how much he liked that she was ready to work things out. Instead, he nodded, wearing what was no doubt a goofy smile.
“Let me make sure everything’s locked up, then we’ll head out the back, okay?” Brooke said, grabbing her jacket and purse.
“Can I help?”
“No, I’ve got it.” She waved him off and disappeared through the kitchen door into the main part of the coffee shop.
Tyler rinsed the mugs and placed them in the sink before waiting by the door. A couple of minutes later, she returned and ushered him out into the alley.
The evening air was cool, the heat of the late August day burning off. Tyler walked Brooke to her SUV, parked behind the shop.
“Thank you,” he said. “For believing me. For listening. For...” He trailed off, not sure how to finish.
“For kissing you?” Brooke supplied, a hint of humor in her voice.
“Yeah. That too.”
She unlocked her door but didn’t get in immediately. “Be careful, Tyler. Don’t give Boverman a reason to arrest you again.”
