A Case of Extreme Mistaken Identity - Victorine E. Lieske Page 0,63
and it was almost noon. The Friendly Bean was a popular place.
The bell above the door rang and someone walked in. Dani glanced up and froze. Austin stood there, his thumbs hooked into his jeans pockets. Her pulse quickened and she had to force herself to breathe normally.
He walked up to the counter. “Hey,” he said casually.
Her heart did not know how to function properly. It decided to beat so wildly in her chest that she had no idea how it was even pumping blood around. “Hey,” she managed to say.
“Sorry I couldn’t continue our conversation last night. I was driving.”
“I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t have texted me back.”
He shrugged. “I was in the drive-through while we were chatting, so I wasn’t texting while on the road. But I wanted you to know why I didn’t answer back after you suggested we get together. By the time I got home, it was late and I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“Oh.” She twisted the towel in her hand, her mind racing. He didn’t blow her off last night. And now, he was here, at her place of work. “How did you know I’d be here?”
His cheeks turned pink. “I saw where you work on the news.”
“You mean the gossip channel?” She tried not to smile, but failed miserably.
Austin chuckled. “Yeah.”
She glanced at the clock. “I get a break here in a second. If you don’t mind waiting a couple of minutes…”
“I don’t mind.” He motioned to the menu. “I’ll take an Americano.”
“Okay. I’ll bring it to your table.”
As she made his coffee, her fingers trembled. Why was she so giddy? She needed to calm down. This was a simple visit from a man who helped her six months ago. Nothing more. Yet, she couldn’t help but feel it was something special.
After she made his coffee and clocked out for her break, she sat across from him at a small table near the entrance. Her stomach fluttered as she looked at his face. His sculpted cheekbones and defined jawline made him extremely handsome. How had she forgotten how good-looking Austin was? She nervously glanced down at the table. “So…”
“I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t make you feel uncomfortable by coming here.”
“No,” she said too quickly. Her face flushed and she shook her head. “I mean, it’s fine.”
“I admit I was surprised to hear from you last night.” He picked up his coffee cup. “I didn’t think I’d hear from you again.”
Guilt rose in her throat. She had cut off all communication with him. She hadn’t meant to ever see him again. Which was probably stupid of her, because she really liked the guy. He was a truly nice man. How could she have doubted his intentions? “I wasn’t sure either.”
“I have to be honest. You broke my heart six months ago.”
He raised his gaze to meet hers and she lost all rational thought. His blue eyes pinned her to the spot. She swallowed, trying to think of words to say. “I didn’t mean to.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready to go through that again.”
His words stung, and she leaned back in her chair. He hadn’t come to see her again? Had she misunderstood? She ran a finger over the edge of the table, unable to speak.
“I’m sorry. I’m not quite sure why I came. I guess I wanted to see if my feelings for you had changed.”
She grew brave and looked at him. “And they have?” she asked quietly.
He shook his head. “No. Which is probably why I should leave.”
Dani couldn’t even think straight. He was going to leave? She tried to speak, but no words would come out of her mouth. He stood, his chair scraping on the tile floor. “It was nice to see you, Dani. I’m glad you’re doing well.”
She sat on her chair, frozen, unable to process what was happening until Austin had walked away. The bell rang on the door and broke her out of her state. She jumped up and ran after him. She caught up with him in the sidewalk. “Wait,” she called out, grabbing his arm.
He turned to her, his jaw working. “Dani, I’m sorry. I can’t. I thought I could see you again and be fine, but it turns out that I just can’t.”
“Don’t go,” she said, her voice cracking. She needed Austin in her life. She didn’t know it six months ago, but she knew it now. Her life was dull and gray without him.