Read Online Beyond the Cherry Trees: The Cook Brothers Series by Heather D'Agostino - Free Book Online Page B

to reach for them but thought differently when he growled at me.
    “You’ve done enough.” He shook his head.
    “Oh come on, Tay.” I dropped my arms at my side. “I’m not a little kid anymore. I’m sorry. Geez,” I shook my head before glancing back outside where Mia’s car was still parked. I didn’t think she’d leave, but I wouldn’t put it past her to sneak away when I wasn’t looking.
    “Got a hot date or something?” Taylor teased.
    “Something,” I mumbled as my eyes drifted toward the diner again.
    “Did you walk all the way back here?” He put the boxes down on the counter by the register.
    “No, I got a ride.” I glanced back at the diner again. It was like I could feel her staring at me.
    “Ride from who?” Taylor crossed his arms over his chest as he appraised me. “You’re nervous. You don’t get nervous,” he muttered.
    “Oh for fuck’s sake,” I growled. “Mia picked me up. She was coming into town.”
    “Watch your mouth,” Tay scolded just as CJ bounded inside from the back door.
    “Hey Dad?” he called as he beat his boots on the rug near the back. “Can I go sledding with Ken? He and Mikey are going to Devil’s Hill.”
    “You’re interrupting,” Taylor sighed.
    “Oh,” he grinned when he saw me. “Hey Uncle Ty.”
    “Hey buddy,” I waved as I started inching toward the door. I knew I could escape Taylor if he was busy dealing with his son. “I’ll see you later, Tay.” I waved as I pushed the door open and began stepping out onto the sidewalk.
    “I’m not finished talking to you.” He pointed at me as I waved again grinning before racing across the street.
    I needed to see her. I wasn’t sure what any of this meant, but she was talking to me, and I’d take that. I’d take any piece she offered. I wasn’t sure if that made me desperate or stupid, but Mia Callahan was already taking up residence in my thoughts, and I had no plan to let her go. She didn’t know it yet, but walking away from me had been her biggest mistake, and I was going to use these next two weeks to prove it.
     
     
     

 
     
     
    WHEN I PUSHED open the door to the diner, I saw her sitting in a booth near the back corner. She had her leg stuck out in the aisle propped up on a chair and was sipping coffee as she tore the napkin in front of her into tiny little pieces. The coat that had been wrapped tightly around her was now shoved in the corner, and the shirt she was wearing was hanging off of one small shoulder.
    I blew out a breath as I started moving in her direction. What the hell was I doing? I had so much going on right now that no one really knew about. I’d told Tay, sort of, but even he didn’t know all the details. My family only knew about the exploits I shared with them, and here I was thinking it was a good idea to try and lure Mia back into my life. What was it about this town that made you forget the outside world? Morgan used to tell me every time she’d visit it was like stepping into someone else’s life. I never really got it until I moved away. Now, coming back here and seeing what I used to be… feeling those things again, it’s like a weight sitting on my shoulders forcing me to hold it up.
    “I’m glad you stayed,” I mumbled as I slid in the booth across from her.
    “I didn’t really have anywhere else I needed to be.” She shrugged as she tore another piece of napkin, refusing to look up at me.
    “Still...” I lifted a shoulder as I began tugging at my coat, trying to get it off. “Thanks for the ride too.”
    “Sure,” she mumbled. I had hoped that I’d actually get her to talk to me, but it was like the last ten minutes hadn’t happened, and now here we were back at the awkward phase.
    Just as I started to push her, the waitress appeared. “Tyler Cook,” she grinned and my head snapped up. “I thought that was you.” She placed her hands on her hips and continued to smile at me as I racked my brain trying to remember who she was.