Sucker Punched (Resilient Hearts Series Book One 1) Read Online Free Page A

coming here to visit for months. I was beginning to give up all hope. When are you coming?”
    “One question at a time. I’m not joking, Caitlin. I really miss you, but I’m not sure yet. I gave my boss some dates, and he’s going to get back to me. I’m just checking to see if you still want me to come.”
    “Of course I bloody want you to come!”
    “Well, that’s sorted then.  I’ll find out when I can get the time off, and I’ll let you know, ok?”
    “Yes!” I’m so happy; I can’t stop smiling while I tell her all about my day until I get to the embarrassing incident with the hot guy at work. Of course she finds it hilarious, but my head and I are still quite sore about it. Coming off the phone half an hour later, I’m feeling much better, but I just can’t seem to get Mr. Hottie out of my head.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    THREE
     
     
    Caitlin
    “Yep, you heard it correctly. I landed right on my arse,” I say to Kiaya the next morning once the shop has quieted down. Kiaya is doubled over laughing so hard that I wouldn’t be surprised if she peed herself. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up.” 
    “Ok, ok, I’m sorry,” she replies while wiping the tears from her eyes and trying to subdue her grin. I can’t help but chuckle, too.
    “That’s so funny! Sorry, but it is. I wish we knew who the guy was though. You should’ve gotten his number.” 
    “What? Yeah right, I bet he thinks I’m a great catch.”
    Kiaya’s face turns serious now. “You’re a catch, Caitlin.”
    “Yeah, right.” I mean, I’m ok. I wouldn’t call myself beautiful or a catch. My brown hair is just below my shoulders, and my eyes are blue. I’m not overweight, but not skinny either. I’m also tall at 5’9”. My tummy has a few stretch marks, so you’ll never see me in a bikini—definitely not the type of girl Mr. Hottie would go for.
    We hear the bell over the door ring, alerting us to customers. I turn to see Donnie making his way through the door. Donnie is Len’s nephew, and he visits Betty’s most days. He has Down’s syndrome, and I’ve become really fond of him in the short time I have known him. He’s always so happy to see us and will stay for a while before he goes to his work. 
    “H-H-Hi, Caitlin,” he stammers.
    “Hi, Donnie.  Do you want your usual?”
    “Yes, yes, please.”
    “Go and sit with your Uncle Len, and I’ll bring it over.” Smiling, he joins his uncle, who’s seated in his usual booth. The happiest I ever see Len is when Donnie visits.
    When I take the drinks over, Len says, “There’s no one else in the shop, Caitlin. Why don’t you sit with us for a while? You don’t mind do you, Donnie? You, too, Kiaya,” Len shouts across the shop.
    I take Donnie’s nodding and grinning as a yes , so I slide into the seat of the red booth opposite the guys. The bell rings again, and when I notice who it is, I become flustered. It’s Mr. Hottie. Just great! His eyes find mine, and he smirks as he makes his way across the shop to us, still keeping eye contact with me. Just one look and he has me frozen in place; I don’t think I could move if I wanted too. Now turning his attention to Donnie and Len, he shakes their hands. Mr. Hottie then shouts his order to Kiaya and slides in next to me. Glancing down at my name badge, which is conveniently placed on my boob, he looks back to me with raised eyebrows.
    “Caitlin.” That smirk is long gone now, but his eyes stay intently focused on mine. A loud cough brings me out of my stupor.  I look up to see Kiaya with Mr. Hottie’s order in her hands. She gives me a look full of mischief when she mouths, “Oh my god! Mr. Hottie?”
    I have to stop a nervous giggle from escaping my lips. Luckily, he hasn’t seemed to notice Kiaya because his gaze remains fixed on me. It should be uncomfortable, but if I’m honest, I like his attention. I, of course, would never let him know that.
    “Here you go, Ethan. I hope it’s ok.” Great, she