The little cafe on maple Street smelled like comfort. The kind of comfort wrapped in cinnamon,roasted beans and a faint sweetness of pastries just out of the oven.
Lily tightened her grip on the leather strap of her laptop bag. With her other hand, she clutched a Manila folder close to her chest, like it was her life support. Inside were her carefully printed charts, notes and slides for the big presentation she had been preparing for weeks .
Her first real assignment at the new architecture firm. Her chance to prove herself .
And she was late.
The line at the counter crawled like a snail , and she shifted her weight from one heel to the other. Just a quick coffee, Lily told herself. A cappuccino will keep your hands from shaking during the meeting. Just breathe.
She tried to breathe, but her nerves were louder than her thoughts.
She finally got her order, balancing the steaming cup with her folder, and started toward the exit. She was so focused on making it back to her car in time that she didn't notice the tall man charging through the door — until it was too late.
Crash.
Liquid splattered, papers flew , and time seemed to slow .
"Oh - no" a deep male voice muttered.
Lily froze ,staring in horror as her carefully organized papers hit the floor, now splattered with icy brown coffee. The graphs bleed into one another , ink smudging like a cruel watercolor painting.
"Are you kidding me? " she snapped, crouching quickly to gather her documents. Her heart hammered . this can't be happening today of all days.
"I am so , so sorry ," the man said, crouching beside her. His voice was sincere,rushed, and frustratingly smooth. He reached for the papers ,but when his hands brushed hers, Lily jerked back like she did touched fire.
She looked up for the first time.
He was tall, Taller than most men she had met . Broad shouldered in a fitted navy sweater, hair slightly messy as though he'd run a hand through it many times. But it was his eyes that caught her startling blue, framed by lashes that had no business being that long on a man.
And that crooked smile…
Lily scowled, dragging her gaze back to the ruined papers .you have completely ruined my presentation." She held up one dripping sheet like it was evidence of a crime.
His lips twisted with guilt. I'll fix this. I swear, I can reprint them for you —'