So, I hope you're liking this. I bet you're probably annoyed I start writing stories, then stop, but I have a good feeling about this one. Keeping my fingers crossed. :)

Oh yeah, remember that the flashbacks aren't in any particular order. It's just there to give you a look into Cash and Tessa's past.

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"Tessa, can you take this to table four?" Lisa, my co-worker asked me, holding out a tray that had a sandwich and coffee on it. "Marie is in the bathroom throwing up. This pregnancy thing is messing her up," she explained.

I nodded and took the tray delicately in my hands, not wanting to spill the coffee. The diner I worked in for extra cash was busy, so I carefully manuevered through the people walking around to table four. But as I neared it and got a good look at the person occupying the table, my breath caught and I halted for a minute.

Was it fair for one man to be so gorgeous? He was the definition of HOT with his honey brown hair that was cut short and spiked up in a faux hawk, sky blue eyes and strong, and square jaw. But that was just the beginning - he had a beautiful dimple in his right cheek. And his body, he had a perfect body. Good enough to be a model.

When he flashed me a breathtaking smile, I finally snapped out of the trance I was in and walked forwar. I let my lips tilt up as well and lay down the tray in front of him on the table. "Here's your order, sir," I spoke softly, looking at him from under my thick lashes.

"Thank you, Miss...?" He hesitated, letting the words hover in the air and gave me an expectant look.

"Tessa. Tessa Ryan," I replied, tucking a stray lock of behind my ear.

"Nice to meet you, Tessa," he said charmingly. I blushed and shook his outstretched hand.

I looked back over my shoulder to see Lisa's eyes in my direction. I faced the handsome stranger again. "I should go back to work...," I started, but I didn't want to leave his company.

He grinned at me, revealing his pearly whites. "Aren't you going to ask me for my name, too?"

My face darkened. "Oh, sorry. What's your name?" Why did he make me feel so shy and awkward. I didn't have the confidence or beauty of a model, but I was never like this. I was usually way more sure and social with customers and people in general.

Laughing lightly, he said, "I'm Calvin Gallagher. But you can just call me Cash."

 I giggled like a high schooler, even though I hadn't been in high school for four years. "Okay, Cash."

"Tessa!" Lisa called. "Come over here, please!"

I looked back over my shoulder with a disappointed sigh. Something slipping between my finger tips made me look down and I saw Cash sliding a card into my hand. "What's this?"

"Call me sometimes?" he asked. "I have to go."

A frown crossed my features. "But you haven't eaten your sandwich or finished your coffee," I pointed out.

Cash's smile didn't fail to take my breath away. He picked up his sandwich, wrapping it with a napkin and then took a sip of his coffee. "I hope I'll hear from you soon, Tessa." He winked at me and then he was gone.

 -

I remembered walking along this sidewalk everyday for eighteen years of my life, seeing the same houses, same trees and the same cars parked along the curb. There were barely any differences - small towns like this hardly ever changed.

There was a light breeze and the sun now wasn't as harsh as before. My hair, in its low ponytail, swayed gently and I rubbed my bare arms as I looked forward, my feet leading me to the park nearby. It was around seven, so I expected there to still be kids out. I was right in my assuptions because children were racing around in the playground, teenagers were playing in the soccer field and shooting hoops in the basketball court and I spotted a group of girls in shorts and tank tops practicing their cheer routines.

I stopped at the sidewalk and watched them, seeing a lot of fathers with their kids and my heart gave a sharp tug. Tanner would never have that because his dad had abandoned him. I looked down and pushed away a loose lock of hair from my eyes.

 "Tessa?"

 My head snapped up and I looked at the teenage boy standing in front of him. He was probably only around twelve years old. His features were very boyish and there was youth in his friendly, brown eyes that looked too familiar. I suddenly realized who this was.

 "Luke?" I asked. A grin spread across his face, no doubt because I remembered him.

 "Hi, Tessa." I laughed delightfully and lunged forward, grabbing him in a hug. When I was fifteen, I started babysitting him for money. He was only around three at that time and six when I left for college. I had honestly forgetten him for a second, but seeing him again brought back all of our precious memories together. He was such an adorable kid and he had become a very handsome boy.

 "Look at you!" I exclaimed, holding him at arms length, my hands framing his face. "You're so big! And so handsome. I bet you have girls chasing after you all the time!"

Luke blushed, but then he stood straighter, more confidently and replied flirtatiously. "Of course they do. I'm hot," he said, winking. "You're still beautiful, Tessa."

I had to laugh because he was flirting with me! I was twelve years older than him. I playfully patted his cheek. "Thank you, sweetie. I missed you," I said, hugging him tightly. He was tall for a twelve-year-old boy. I was 5'7 and he was taller than me. "You're so grown up. A few more years and I'll be a dwarf compared to you."

Luke put his arms around my waist, hugging me back. I was an only child, so I treated him like the brother I never had. I used to love babysitting him. "I missed you, too. I can't believe you're back."

I pulled back to smile at him. "Yup and I'm back for good now, hopefully."

There was a pause and then he got a devilish look in his eyes. "Tessa, you said that when I was bigger than you, you'd be my girlfriend."

Oh gosh. I nearly died of laughter. When he was only five, he got it in his head that he loved me and we should get married, but I had replied that when he was as big as me, then maybe I'd consider it. He had asked me repeatedly, up until I had to leave Springfield and that was always my answer.

"I thought you said you wanted me to be your wife, not girlfriend?" I teased.

Color filled Luke's cheeks. "I don't think I'm ready for marriage, yet."

"That's too bad," I chuckled. "Where's your mom?" I asked, remembering his kind mother, Mrs. McCormick, who had paid me way more than I should've gotten. She was pretty rich because her husband, who was equally as kind, had old money passed down through generations and owned a bunch of stores in our town.

"She's at home taking care of Isabelle."

"Isabelle?"

"My sister," he explained.

"Your parents had another child?" I gasped. I can't believe I never found out. Suddenly it hit me - I had been gone far too long. It was unacceptable. How could I have disregarded the people I grew up with so easily for college life and time with Cash?

Luke nodded. "Yeah, she's two years old next month."

I rocked back on my heels in surprise. "Wow. How do you feel about that?"

Shrugging nonchalantly, he smiled. "I don't mind. Even though she cries a lot, I love her. She's really cute."

"I have to visit your mom, soon," I decided. Then I looked at him, putting my hands on my curvy hips. It had gotten thicker during my pregnancy. "What are you doing out by yourself?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

He looked mock exasperated. "Tessa! I'm not a little kid anymore!"

I gave him an affectionate smile. "You'll always be little to me." I ruffled his hair. Luke slapped my hand away and looked over his shoulder at the guys playing basketball. Some of them were glancing back at us and snickering. "Are they your friends?"

"Yes," he grumbled. "And you're embarassing me."

"Sorry." But I wasn't sorry and he knew it because of my cheeky grin. I looked at my phone and noticed that thirty minutes had passed already and bit my lip. "I have to go, sweetie, but tell your mom to expect a phone call from me soon. And I want you to meet someone." I reached over to pinch his cheeks. He reddened.

"Who?" he asked.

"Someone." I winked and waved bye to him before walking back towards the direction of my parent's house.