Page 48 of No Need to Run
My lips curved faintly as I rounded the corner and watched Drew head inside.
Then I followed.
The bell jingled as I stepped into Bramble & Bean.
My gaze found him immediately.
He was at the counter, but he tensed, as if he felt me behind him.
He slowly turned, his eyes locking with mine. Recognition flashed and then shifted to surprise. The kind of surprise from seeing someone you wanted to see.
My stomach fluttered.
“Hi, Drew,” I managed to say calmly.
Internally, I purred.
“I was hoping I’d run into you again.”
He was off-balance. Flustered.
It was cute.
We engaged in small talk, and then he turned his quiet focus to the menu—even though he already knew what he wanted.
Such a creature of habit.
He ordered and then told me to order.
When he offered to pay, I was stunned. I’ve never had a man do that for me.
Not only did he pay, but the dear, sweet man pulled my chair out for me.
We fell into conversation easily. Naturally. Like this just happened.
Like I didn’t plan this encounter piece by piece before he ever walked through that door.
I couldn’t resist testing the waters. Layering in things just to gauge his reaction.
He’d pause. Sometimes his brows furrowed.
But he laughed off the things I said. Dismissed his instincts as soon as I said something to ease his fears.
If I were anyone else, I’d think he lacked self-preservation.
But I’m not.
And I already knew enough about Drew to know why he’s ignoring his instincts.
It worked in my favor.
His voice breaksthrough my thoughts. “You and Ivy really seemed to hit it off Saturday night.”
I stare at him for a moment.
His expression is slightly guarded. His posture is stiff.
He’s searching for something.
