Page 11 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

With my assurances, Elliot seems to relax. He picks up his coffee and takes another sip. “He told me last week that he just wants to know what a normal life is like.”

I wince. It’s my fault that we’ve been working so much—that it’s beengo go gosince graduating high school ten years ago. But I can’t stop. Hell, even if I tried, Ell and O would refuse to let me.

“Hey.” Elliot reaches across the table and squeezes my arm, moving his hand away a second later. He knows I can’t handle a lot of touch right now. “We’ll be okay. We’re getting closer.”

Oliver comes back just as Wren steps from behind the counter with a washcloth and a spray bottle. A few people have left, and she clears any trash they left behind and wipes down the tables quickly. When she does the one next to ours, I become hyper aware of my breathing.

Of the distance between us.

Of the little tune she’s humming.

Of the way Oliver is trying so hard not to stare at her.

When Wren is done with the table, she looks like she’s gonna head back behind the counter, but then she hesitantly turns around to face us. “How, um, how are your drinks?”

“Really good,” Elliot says. “Where do you get your beans from?”

“Oh, a couple local places roast them. The blend I gave you two this morning is my favorite.” She nods to me and Ell. “You seem like the types who’d enjoy it.”

Elliot raises a brow. “Do we, now? Thank you.”

“My cappuccino was delicious,” Oliver says. “Actually, it tasted better today than last week. Not that last week’s was bad by any means.”

Wren beams. “I put a little extra sugar in it this time.”

With a laugh, Elliot says, “No wonder he liked it more. His sweet tooth will be the death of him.”

“It goes along with my personality,” Oliver replies, his eyes sparkling. “I’m Oliver, by the way. And this is Elliot, and this is Rhett.”

A knot forms in my stomach. They all talk so easily with each other. Sure, Ell has his awkward moments on occasion—and it seems like Wren does, too—but they’re both still managing. And Oliver? He’s always gotten along fine. Striking up a conversation with a stranger is like child’s play for him.

But me? Here I am, too stiff and too quiet, my tongue frozen in my mouth. Oliver is charming and Elliot oozes confidence. And I… well, I’ve been told I’m intimidating and look like I want to kill someone enough times to know that I’m not the reason Wren is over here.

And that’s fine by me.

Except that when new customers file in and she has to get back to the counter, she takes an extra second and looks directly at me. When our eyes meet, she hesitates, but then she finally manages, “Did you… did you like your coffee?”

I manage a small smile—one I’m worried might look patronizing, but it’s the best I can manage. “It was perfect.”

And with that she’s gone, leaving behind a hint of a floral scent that almost has me leaning into the walkway to get another whiff. Instead, I run my fingers over the table, focusing on the grooves in the wood until they’re all I’m thinking about. I do it until it’s time to leave and Oliver waves goodbye at Wren. To my relief, shewaves back, and Oliver leaves with his steps lighter than they were when he came in.

For the next week, Wren is on my mind much more than I thought she would be. Possibly much more than sheshouldbe. It feels weird to be thinking about someone other than Ell and O this much. She’s beautiful—unnervingly so—and apparently, my mind has decided not to let me forget it.

Maybe… maybe Oliver isn’t the only one who needs a little hope.

Chapter four

Wren

“God, I love these fries.” Adam dips a couple into ketchup before shoving them into his mouth.

I take a few for myself. This burger place has been a favorite of mine for years, and their fries are one of the reasons why. I discovered them during my college years and never stopped coming back.

“This movie is gonna be great,” Adam says in between bites. “Chad posted about it yesterday, said he had no complaints.”

“Good,” I say with a forced smile. I’m pretty sure my boyfriend is more excited about the movie than he is about getting to spend time with me. When I brought up the idea of a date earlier this week, he was reluctant to go until I picked a movie I know he’s been wanting to go see.

“Speaking of Chad, he’s gonna propose to Chloe on Valentine’s Day. Can you believe it? They’ve only been dating for a year.”