Perfect Risk (Mason Creek #1) - C.A. Harms Page 0,4
attention. But to me he’d always be the boy I wasn’t afraid to show my true self in front of.
We chatted and teased one another until Jessie called out Anna and my name. After saying a quick goodbye to Levi with the promise of getting together very soon, we slipped out of the shop and immediately I regretted it.
Wishing I’d stayed a little longer, maybe around a few other people to chat with, but my good day had gone to shit real fast.
My drink was smashed between my chest and that of another. An unforgiving, strong, masculine chest that belonged to someone much taller than me. The whipped cream, and drizzled caramel that I’d been dreaming about from the very second Anna mentioned it to me was no longer drinkable. The sweater I wore was adhered to my chest by the sticky substance and I almost cried at its loss.
“Shit,” the mumbling of a man and then Anna’s giggle pulled my attention away from my shirt and I looked up. My heart feeling as though it seized in my chest, and the easy breathing became much more difficult.
My cup fell from my hand and the remaining contents sloshing from the cup and landing on both my shoes and those of the biggest asshole of my adolescent life.
Wyatt Murphy, wearing a cop uniform and a sympathetic look that only managed to infuriate me more.
Chapter Three
Wyatt
* * *
“I’m so sorry.” I bent down and grabbed the cup, then gently grabbed the woman’s hand and pulled her off to the side. “I was too busy looking at my phone.” She appeared flustered and I couldn’t blame her. I’d just plowed into her and what drink she did have, she was now wearing.
“Let me get you a new one,” I offered, like that would help, but I was at a loss. She seemed familiar, though I couldn’t place her. Something about her was like a blast from the past, only I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
“I’m fine,” she insisted, and tried to walk around me only I sidestepped to block her path. She was beautiful in the sweet innocent kind of way.
“Really you gotta let me do something—,”
“I think you’ve already done enough.” I noticed the way her nostrils flared as she looked up at me. I knew her, in that instant I knew I did. But there was something about her I couldn’t quite pinpoint. “Anna.” She motioned to the person at her side and that was the moment I realize exactly who this beauty was.
Sadie Michaels, the girl I’d stood up my senior year. The girl I’d thought of often only I’d pictured her as the girl with glasses, a sweet smile and a wild array of curly hair. The same girl I wished I’d gone out with instead of going two towns over to hook up with some cheerleader who later ended up as a fiancé. The same fiancé that couldn’t keep herself out of another man’s bed.
“Real smooth, Wyatt.” Anna, my best friend’s wife shoved my shoulder and I stumbled, still completed lost in the memories of my youth. I was a dumb kid, with a one tracked mind and shit friends that I’d allowed to lead my decisions. “You don’t just owe her a caramel macchiato, you owe her a hell of a lot more.”
“He doesn’t owe me a thing.” Again, the hatred she obviously held for me was written all over her face. Narrowed eyes, her lips pressed tightly together as if trying her best to avoid saying what she truly felt. Her nostrils flared, and that alone was enough to indicate she wanted to be anywhere else but standing in front of me.
Before I had the chance to say anything more Sadie walked off and left me staring after her.
“Bet you’re wishing that you didn’t pull a dick move by leaving her waiting on her front porch for you while you ran after a bimbo in a skirt. She’s hot, and you missed out. Karlie was your karma, I’ve told you that for years.” Anna flipped her long dark hair, the reflection of purple catching the light just right. Beau had managed to land the sassiest girl in town, and she kept him on his toes. Daily, she hassled him, and he’d fallen in line. He was a sucker for Anna, had always been and always would be. Hell, she kept everyone on their toes.
“Still pissing off the ladies I see.” Levi walked out of