Sawyer turns around in his seat, staring at Piper’s back. “Whoa. Let me get this straight—this is a book for a book club discussion? Who picks your books?”
Blood rushes to my face as he turns back around to pin his stare on me. “We rotate.”
“And, um, who chose this one?”
He’s totally teasing me. I can see it all over his face again. I stare intently at him. “I did.”
Piper giggles. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be listening. It’s a good one, though.”
“So, wait, you’re embarrassed that I saw it, but it was your pick?”
“Who said I was embarrassed?”
He glances over at Piper’s back and drops his voice. “You’re blushing.” He touches my cheek ever so softly with his fingertips before he withdraws his hand.
“I’m just going to go make some copies.” Piper stands up and walks out of the workroom without even turning around.
My eyes follow her out the door, and I suck air in through my teeth, which are clamped together all of a sudden. I guess I can only expect her to babysit me and my lust for Sawyer for so long.
He nudges my arm to get my attention. “You know, Hadleigh, if you don’t want people to see what you’re reading, you can always use an e-book reader.”
I giggle, shaking my head at myself. “You’re right. And I’m always so worried about what people think of me, I’m not sure why it didn’t occur to me that a Kindle or some other tablet would be an easy way to not have nosy people questioning what I’m reading.” I lean over and poke him in the side, then immediately regret it. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
He gives a swift jerk of his head. “Don’t. I finally feel like we’re acting normal around each other again. Poke me all you want.” His eyes lock on mine, his stare intense. His dark eyes have a way of making me feel like he gets me in a way not many people can or do. All at once, he breaks the silence. “You know, it’s strange to me that you said you’re worried about what people think. I don’t think anyone else realizes that you’re not one hundred percent confident in everything you do, Hadleigh. I’m pretty observant, and I’d say, with the exception of your friends who you’ve introduced me to, most people don’t have any clue that there’s a nervous or hesitant bone in your body.”
“Well, I’m not always like that. It’s more of a way of protecting myself.” I blink. “It has to do with my mom, I think. But—” I blow out a breath. How did this conversation go from smut novels to the inner workings of my mind? “I don’t let most people see that side of me.”
“I really hope I get to know that other Hadleigh better, too. Not that I don’t like the Hadleigh who you present to the world, because I do.”
Damn, this guy is deep.
I look around the deserted workroom. “I think Piper sensed we needed a few minutes. I hope we didn’t make her uncomfortable.”
Sawyer shrugs. “She’ll be fine. It’s not like she doesn’t have eyes. You’re telling me she doesn’t know something’s going on with you? You haven’t talked to her about us? I don’t buy it.”
I cock my head to the side, studying him. He’s so attractive to me, but even more than that, I’m discovering more and more that Sawyer is someone I like on the inside, too. It’s a hard combination to come by—hot, intelligent, sensitive, sweet.
“Yeah, I’d say she’s aware of your inner turmoil. Just like I’m aware that you’re a little confused. A little worried. I’ve had a lot of time since I started here to pay attention to you. Especially this last week.” He chews on the inside of his cheek as he watches my reaction to his statement.
I’m suddenly terrified of what he’s been seeing. Despite sitting here fully clothed, his dark eyes on me make me feel absolutely naked.
But I also feel understood, and I don’t know how to handle that because it’s not something I’ve ever felt with a man before. And, if I’m honest with myself, it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. “How about we go get that coffee now?”
Chapter 17
Sawyer
I park my old, beat-up truck just down the street from the coffee shop. It’s a short walk, but I pull on a hat and wrap a scarf around my neck for good measure. It’s bitterly cold, and I find myself not only looking forward to spending some more time with Hadleigh, but ready for some hot coffee as a bonus.
She’s already inside, sitting at a table as she fiddles with her phone. She doesn’t see me at first because she’s so focused on whatever she’s doing. A deep frown mars her pretty face. I take a second just to look at her, unsure if whatever she’s going to say to me will change things between us. Because Willow was right; if Hadleigh tells me that I need to back off, I totally will—the pause she’d requested is proof of that. In my gut, I feel like maybe she’s finally come to the realization that we should talk about what we are feeling—we need to, in fact. I’m nervous as hell that she’s going to tell me we can’t happen. We can’t be a “thing.” I take a deep, fortifying breath and head over to her.
She looks up, surprised, immediately exchanging her frown for a smile. “Oh, hey, Sawyer. Sorry, I was a little engrossed in something. You want some coffee?” She gestures to the counter.
“Sure.” I reach for my wallet, but she holds up both hands, stopping me.
She smiles. “I invited you, so I’m buying. What can I get for you?”
“A mocha would be good.”
With a little bob of her head, she walks over and places our order while I get comfortable, removing my hat, scarf, and heavy coat. She comes back a couple of
