Chapter 2
TESSA
Bone-chilling cold fills every single inch of my body.
No matter how much I try to ignore the chill, my body can’t seem to stop shivering.
I’m freezing, and as I look out the rearview mirror of my little car, the glass getting covered more and more with snow, I try not to let my thoughts get the best of me while I ignore the icy cold cut through my bones.
What was thinking trying to deliver Owen Woodman his stupid muffins so early? You were trying to avoid him, a voice in the back of my head perks up. I rub my arms. Not that it helps. My fingers are almost frozen numb.
I was totally trying to avoid him.
I always do, and I hate myself for it.
It’s not his fault I find him crazily attractive.
That I want him to wrap me up in his arms and never let me go.
Not that he would ever see me as anything more than his younger brother’s annoying friend.
That’s clear as day. Once or twice, I thought maybe, just maybe, he might be interested in me as something more than a buddy. But I was wrong. I usually am.
“Ugh!” I groan as I rest my head on the back of my car seat. “Please don’t let me die here,” I whisper to the emptiness of my car.
Out of all the ways to die, freezing to death would suck.
I should have gone straight to the bakery and delivered Owen’s muffins at lunch like I usually do.
But that would have meant talking to him.
Being around him and smelling the delicious air that surrounds him all while knowing nothing will ever come from how I feel for him.
It kills me how good he always smells. Clean and manly.
Just being around him, even for a couple of minutes, makes my head spin more than three glasses of wine.
Every other day, I’m in charge of delivering his is standing order. Where he puts them, I have no idea. The man is built like the statue of David, if David has sexy-as-sin tattoos over his chest and arms, and dark gorgeous hair and darkers eyes and a seriously masculine beard.
I shiver and make sure to keep my knees bouncing. Movement helps keep you warm. I turn my attention to the backseat for the hundredth time. Empty. Neat. For the first time in god knows how long, because I just cleaned it out and took my girl to the car wash the week before.
Car wash. I shake my head. What a waste of money and energy! Now we are in what feels a little more than a snowstorm. A blizzard. A spring blizzard. How could I have not been paying closer attention to the weather? Because of Owen and his new muffin fetish!
I called my best friend and boss, Eli, about ten minutes ago when I gave up trying to change the tire that’d gone flat. He told me to sit tight. I know he’ll be around soon. It’s just a matter of time.
I just have to be patient and pray he gets to me on time.
My eyes blink at the empty, clean backseat of my usually messy car. Just my luck. Why don’t I have at least a sweater in here? I know better! I should always have a sweater or a blanket in my car. Living in the mountains my entire life, I know this!
But I’m never prepared. Ever.
Last week, I was in short-shorts and flip-flops, sweating. Now I’m freezing.
Bright lights shine through my windows, and I turn my attention toward them. A huge white truck is parked in front of me.
“Thank goodness.” I sigh softly as my body sags with relief against my seat.
I toss my phone into my purse and throw the bag over my shoulder.
I’m about to turn to open my door when it swings wide.
I open my mouth to say something sarcastic to Eli, but the words die on my tongue when I see the man of my dreams standing there, bent and glaring at me.
Shit. Eli sent Owen.
So much for avoiding him.