Lifting the small, white cup, I took a drink of my vanilla latte, while silently reading over my notes for my exam. I’d dressed quickly this morning before leaving for my favorite study spot to get in some last-minute cramming. The trendy coffee shop and gastro-pub was a hot spot among the college students and locals. The building was a brownfield project, previously abandoned and now revitalized into one of the most popular meeting spots in town.
I loved seeing old buildings brought back to life, so naturally, it instantly became my favorite place to hang out and study. Its hipster vibe attracted all sorts of clientele. The people who frequented Brewed ranged from women stopping for brunch, to men in suits having business meetings, and college students studying or meeting friends for a beer.
Distracted by a deep voice I recognized, I looked up from where I sat tucked in my usual booth. Mike stood at the bar a few feet away, picking up a to-go order with enough food and coffee for two.
“Mike!” I called out to him with an exaggerated wave.
Looking over his shoulder, he smiled. “Hey, Ava.” He walked over to me for a hug. “How was your weekend at home?”
“Good. It was nice spending time with my family. I didn’t realize how much I was missing home. How about you? How was your weekend and the party at Deanna’s?”
“Eventful,” he vaguely replied, tucking his hands in his front pockets. “…I’ll let Stephen catch you up on the party.”
I raised an eyebrow, thoughts already running through my head. “Now, I’m not sure I want to know.”
“I’m not sure you do either.” His brow furrowed with a concerned expression.
“That bad…huh? Well, I guess I’ll hear all about it tonight. Will you be meeting us for darts and drinks?”
“No. I have to work.”
I gave him a questioning look. We both knew Christopher’s was closed on Mondays.
“Christopher has the cooks working tonight to go over the catering menu for the event in the Hamptons. There are a lot of new items. He wants us to practice plating to make sure the event goes smoothly.”
“Ah…I see. Well, if he doesn’t keep you all night, you should meet up with us.”
“Will do. I better go before the food gets cold. Good luck on your test.” He jutted his chin toward my book and papers sprawled on the table.
“Thanks.”
With a single wave over his shoulder, he walked away as I glanced at the clock on my phone, realizing I’d lost track of time and was going to be late for my exam. I threw plenty of cash on the table to cover my bill and tip and hastily gathered my notes, trying to jam them into my bag as I walked out.
Not looking at where I was going, I bumped into someone who might as well have been a solid wall, causing me to spill my books and notes all over the ground. Embarrassed by my clumsiness, I didn’t even bother looking up to see who saw me or whom I’d smacked into. I quickly dropped to a squatting position, trying to gather all my notes that scattered across the floor.
Reaching for the closest piece of paper to me, I uncovered a cell phone that wasn’t mine. Looking up confused, my eyes ran into a pair of expensive-looking black oxfords draped in faded denim jeans. With flushed cheeks, I tilted my head back to allow my line of sight to raise.
The long, lean, masculine body my eyes continued to follow began to make my pulse beat faster. It wasn’t until I reached his face that I lost my balance, knocking me from my squatting position to flat on my ass.
As he stared back with his striking blue eyes, intense magnetism exuded, scorching any hope of me coming out of this unscathed. He bent down into an elegant crouch, offering his hand for some stability and giving me a whiff of his rich and sensual cologne. “Are you all right?” His voice rolled across my body, energizing and numbing it all at once.
My elbows throbbed from the contact with the cement floor. Yet, I barely registered the pain. I was too entranced by the man before me. His dark brown hair framed the most breathtaking face I’d seen, with a sharp jaw covered in the perfect amount of stubble. He was ruggedly gorgeous.
He had a refined but casual look with his oxfords, faded denim jeans, and an expensive-looking gray sweater that hung just right, showing off his firm chest. His eyes narrowed slightly with concern, but otherwise his features remained impassive.
“I’m…I’m fine,” I stuttered, then gaining some composure, helped myself up, declining his hand. “I guess this belongs to you.” I handed him the phone as I stood. I thought looming over him would help me reign in the emotions coursing through me. It didn’t.
He gathered up the remaining few papers and books, handing them to me while taking his phone. The brush of our hands in the exchange sent a tingling through my body. I flinched, quickly drawing back my hand.
“Are you studying to be an engineer?” he asked.
“Huh?” I asked, dumbfounded and tongue-tied.
He nodded toward the papers gripped tightly in my hand.
“Oh. No…and thank you…and sorry…for bumping into you,” I stammered out while shoving my things in my bag, side-stepping my way around him.
“I’m not—sorry that is.” He grinned a mischievous grin dripping with more sex appeal than I could handle as he slipped his hands in his pockets.
I was irritated with myself for feeling so dazzled by him. Unable to respond, I gave him an awkward smile and headed for the door.
“Wait,” he called from behind me. “I didn’t catch your name.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I couldn’t hold back the grin tugging at the corner of my mouth. “I didn’t give it to you,” I replied before shooting out the door and leaving him behind.
