Chapter 16- Simone
Winter weather had decided to clear up. The sun was out and shining although, and the Windy City was living up to its name. I’d called a short staff meeting for Tainted Ink and wanted to meet up with the gang for a few reasons. Valentine’s Day was fast approaching, and I knew it could be a record-breaking month for us if we started advertising and running deals immediately.
I needed to put my shop back into the forefront of my mind. Although, flashes of Lucien’s skin and the way his mouth had kissed all parts of my body were lingering on the fringes of my imagination.
With a Starbucks frappuccino in hand, I took a deep sip before stepping into the shop. The bell above the door announced my presence and everybody turned around. They were all here and waiting.
“Morning guys,” I smiled.
Everyone smiled and said hi back.
Hanging up my coat, I turned back to them and got right back to it. This month, I was going to be driving upselling like no one’s business. Mallory, ever prepared and with a new colorful hairdo started handing out sheets of paper.
“I’m not a good salesman,” Ax stated.
“Well, you better remedy that,” I replied. “If you need pointers guys, Miguel is second in command here. Take advantage of his knowledge. Anyway, that concludes the meeting and right on time.”
Glancing at the clock on the wall, I saw that it was time to open the door. The shiny black long hand had just landed on twelve. Mallory went over to unlock the door and in walked a customer. I was heading to the back when she called me.
“Boss.”
I turned to meet her gaze just in time to see that it was a delivery person already on their way out the door.
“Yeah?”
“These are for you.”
You could have heard a pin drop in the shop as all eyes turned on me. There was another bouquet of roses set waiting on the front desk where Mallory sat. Before I could get to her, Miguel was there with the other boys reading the card out loud.
“Little Angel… for behaving… You’re President Snow?” Miguel looked up with a quirked eyebrow.
“Oh, shit boss, you must be into something kinky,” Brandon replied.
He had his dreads pulled up into a man bun and the urge to knock them down left my palm itching.
“Ooo, you’re blushing,” Rina smiled.
Grabbing the card and roses, I headed into my office without another word. The last thing I needed to be doing was blushing in front of my team. Kicking the door closed behind me I sat the sweet-smelling roses down on my desk. Instead of going to start up my computer first, I pulled out the shiny black phone.
Really?
I hit send and then took a seat, before realizing I’d left my unfinished coffee out there with those jerks. Sitting the phone down onto the slate gray desk, I went back out and found them whispering.
“Don’t yall have work to do?” I asked snatching my cup from the desk.
“No we don’t’ have any customers yet,” AJ hollered after me.
I threw up my middle finger for their waiting faces and went back to my office. My desk chair sat waiting as I plopped down in it.
My phone dinged.
You don’t like the roses?
Taking a sip of coffee, I reached for the phone and replied.
They’re beautiful…but my crew is starting to get suspicious.
Let them be suspicious.
