Sacred Hart by A.M. Johnson Read Free Book Online Page B

from the counter.
    Once he was through the kitchen door, I exhaled a harsh breath and sat down on the stool, laying my bag on the bar top. Maybe asking him on a date was a bad idea. He seemed pretty closed off and he hadn’t flirted back. Maybe my boldness wouldn’t be appreciated. I worried at my lower lip, but before panic could overtake me, the kitchen door swung open again. Ryan’s rich brown eyes were soft as they fell to mine. He placed the containers of ice cream in front of me. He wasn’t flirting, but for that brief moment, his guard had slipped and it settled my overactive nerves. “I’ll wrap up two of these apple fritters for you to take, too. I make them every Saturday.”
    “Thanks. They smell delicious,” I said, and watched in silence as he placed two pastries in a Styrofoam container.
    He handed me the box with another smile, but this time it reached his eyes. “It’s on the—”
    “House. Yeah, Tony’s rule. I remember.” I stood from the stool and grabbed the containers. My heart was beating, fluttering, and pounding behind my sternum as I tried to gather words.
    Just as I was about to speak, he did as well. The awkward moment of us both trying to speak at the same time made me giggle, and he smiled apologetically. “Sorry, I was just going to ask if you needed help out?” His gaze fell to my bag on the counter and then back to my full hands.
    “Sure.” I handed him the containers and grabbed my purse. I didn’t get to say what I’d planned. In fact, we didn’t speak at all as we walked the short distance out of the diner and to my car.
    I opened my car door and flung my purse into the back seat. My previous self-confidence was bordering on non-existent. Ryan handed me the to-go boxes, and I brought my eyes up to his. Up close, in the quiet light of dusk, you could see the weariness heavy in his brow and a faint sparkle of fear in the dark pools of his irises. He was more than a stray… more than lost. His loneliness was almost palpable.
    “Drive safely.” He lifted his chin in a goodbye and my plans changed.
    I sat in my car and shut the door, watching as he walked back toward the diner. My heart started that sprint again. My mind spun. If I let him walk through that door, it felt as if he’d disappear. It was dramatic, but the truth of it rushed through my veins. Without thinking, I rolled down my window and called out his name. “ Ryan. ”
    He stopped and turned to look at me, his brow furrowed with concern.
    “What are your plans tomorrow?” I asked without a flirty smile, just a matter of fact question. Something told me the fear I’d seen in his eyes earlier was reserved for me. “I mean, the diner is closed, right?”
    He nodded. “I normally prep for the week.” He moved closer to my car. “Why?”
    “Did you want some help?” It wasn’t a date-like thing to do, but it gave me the opportunity to get to know him, feel him out, and to see if his wall was worth the climb.
    “Help?” He rubbed the back of his neck and narrowed his eyes.
    “Yeah, Beth and I get bored on Sundays. We’d love to help. I feel like I should repay Tony for all the freebies.” My lips turned up at the corners, and the crease between his brows deepened.
    “Tony doesn’t want—”
    “What time do you start?” I interrupted, fighting a smile.
    “Early.” He ran his hand through his hair and exhaled in defeat. “You guys can come by around eleven if you want, though. That’s when I start doing most of the baking.”
    “Beth loves baking… well, licking the spoon, really. But she’s an excellent mixer.” I gave him my best lopsided grin, and he cracked. His chuckle was low as he shook his head.
    “Eleven.” He let his eyes linger on my face, the intensity of it almost perceptible against my skin. “See you then, Maggie.”
    I nodded and rolled up my window without saying goodbye. Ryan watched me as I eased out of the parking spot. My hand shot up in a shy wave as he turned to