Secret Admirer Read Online Free PDF

have a showdown at the service station. The homey smell of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls helped relax me in time to spy Cute Coffee Shop Guy’s entrance. I strode toward him when an ear-piercing horn pealed. His eyes widened as he patted his pockets for what I guessed were his keys.
    “Not again, sorry that’s me. The alarm must have a short, this happened all day yesterday too.” He dashed out to his car as he apologized to those he passed along the way.
    Later I told Bree how not sharing my name wasn’t my fault this time.
    She glared, her eyes barely visible through a thick layer of mascara. “Tomorrow.”
    Friday finally arrived with a blanket of snow. Decked out in my heaviest down coat, boots, and a hat, I started off slowly down the road. My phone pinged from inside my purse that sat on the passenger’s seat, but I would never look at it while driving. Navigating the slippery roads was difficult enough. I was used to driving through slushy snow in Providence, but I was unprepared for the icy side roads of Hartford. I now understood why people shelled out the big money for four-wheel drive. At least the weather would give me something to talk about with Coffee Shop Guy.
    He was already adding his sugar, so I skipped the ordering line and walked right over. I planned to introduce myself, explain that I’d recently moved to town, and ask if he knew a good place to get an ice scraper. I opened my mouth to speak when a tall guy I’d never seen before walked in front of me.
    He headed toward Cute Guy and loudly called out, “Connor?”
    In response, Cute Guy turned.
    The tall guy clapped him on the back. “Hey, man, been a long time. Good to see you.”
    Cute Guy’s mouth dropped open, and then softened to a smile. He shook Tall Guy’s hand. “Where’ve you been hiding yourself, Jason?”
    “Living in Boston now. I came into town over the weekend to see the parents, actually help them pack the house to move. Downsizing, you know? Looks like you never left.”
    He shook his head. “Tried, but it’s all good. You sticking around?”
    “No, just picking up coffee for the movers. Tough day for them with the storm.” Jason picked up a cardboard container holding four large cups and smiled as he walked past me.
    I was beaming like an idiot. I almost wanted to thank him.
    “Better get going, it was good to see you, man.”
    “Same. Good luck with packing, Jason.”
    Connor! Cute Coffee Shop Guy’s name was Connor, and I was just standing there in the middle of the Fresh Start with my mouth hanging open while he walked out the door for the weekend. After finally buying my coffee, I sat in the car while the windshield defrosted and the interior warmed, and I checked the text from earlier.
    Bree—Fresh snow! Calling in “sick.” I need name report, no excuses!
    I was thrilled to type my response.
    Me—Connor!!!!
    She immediately replied.
    Bree—No way. Ok, next week—actual conversation and get his number
    Me—U don’t let up!
    Bree—U can thank me when you ask me to be a bridesmaid
    Me—Ha. Have fun skiing, er—being sick
    Snow continued to fall all day, and I was glad I remembered to bring a sandwich for lunch and happily ate at my desk while reading my favorite author’s latest on my tablet. I allowed myself six candy hearts as dessert. When the Secret Admirer heart showed up in pink, I saved it in a side pouch of my bag, thinking I’d see how many I could collect before I was no longer Connor’s secret admirer.
    Driving home took three times longer than usual, and I was relieved to finally flop on my couch and order in Thai. Halfway through my pad siew and a true crime documentary, I heard my phone ping. Assuming Bree was reporting news about the possible proposal, I grappled for the remote and paused my show. Shock replaced anxiety when I saw Garrett’s name on my screen. Only Garrett’s, not in a group message. My heart raced, and my fingers shook as I tried to tap the correct keys in