The doorbell chimes, and I instinctively turn to see a tall man with a thick beard walk in.Wait. Does he have ornaments hanging from that thing?
“Mornin’, Milo!” Ellie and Jo greet simultaneously.Must be a regular.
Turning back to her, I watch as the corners of her sweet red lips curl as she grabs a pair of translucent gloves and leans forward to open the food case.
I instinctively bend forward as if she needs me to direct her on exactly which breakfast sandwich I’d like. Yet as I look forward, the soft mounds of her creamy tits nearly spill out of her tantalizing green top. My mouth goes dry, and my dick acts like he just took a hit of that Columbian roast. I rub my hand down my face, trying to get my shit together so I don’t come off as a creepy perv.
“One or two?”
“Yes.”
Suddenly, Ellie is standing at her full height, giving me a questioning glare over the case.
Good grief. Am I having a stroke?“I’m sorry. It’s been a rough morning.” I lift my cup for added effect. “I haven’t had enough coffee yet.” Taking a sip, I wince. God, this stuff is really bad.
“Would you like one biscuit or two?” She says each word clearly and deliberately as if speaking to a child.
Biscuits. Not tits. How many biscuits would you like, asshole?
“Heck, give me everything you’ve got.”Yeah, that didn’t come off pervy at all.“I’ll try to bribe the crew to forgive my tardiness.”
She giggles, and my dick jumps to life again.Seriously?
“Oh. My. God. Is that you, Matthew Hightower?” The familiar high-pitched voice behind me equates to having a bucket of ice water poured over my body.
My eyes land on Ellie’s. They’re trained over my shoulder, and the playful expression from moments ago is now replaced with a death glare.
Rotating to face the uninvited female, I try to keep my cool. We don’t need a scene in the middle of Salty Jo’s. “Hey, Jenn. How’ve you been?”
“I’ve been good. It’s been forever,” she says as she comes in for a hug. She’s dressed to the nines in a navy and white pantsuit and shiny stilettos.
“You’re awful fancy for this time of day.”
“I’m a realtor. We have to be fancy whenever the phone rings.” She tries to giggle flirtatiously, placing her hand on my bicep, but it just comes out like a witch’s cackle. “I had no idea you’d come back to town. We need to catch up.”
Why?She’s overly dramatic about the entire interaction. But then again, she always was over the top. But I can’t help wondering if she’s putting on a show. Does she realize this is Ellie? I glance back at Ellie and realize she’s retreated to the far corner, busying herself. What am I thinking? Of course, she does. By the looks of it, neither girl has left Candy Cane Key since graduation. I only hope Jennifer hasn’t continued to torture Ellie as an adult.
I try to come up with a way to get rid of Jenn so I can return to Ellie when Jo steps up with a large paper sack.
“Tell the guys it’s on the house.” He smiles.
Wait. What? I try to get Ellie’s attention so I can at least say goodbye, but she’s gone.
What the hell just happened?
Chapter 11
Ellie
“You okay, doll?”
I turn to find Jo handing me a cup of the good coffee he brings from The Gingerbread Man bakery for the two of us each morning. I’m not much of a baker. I can whip up a pie or something simple, but Jo knows that if he wants a sweet treat, he must grab it while he’s there. I’ve also struggled with my weight my whole life. So it’s probably better I avoid easy access to baked goods. I’m happy with my figure, but it wouldn’t take much for me to tip the scales in the wrong direction if I’m not careful. Not to mention, my grandpa is diabetic. Given how his health has deteriorated, it’s best I stay on top of mine early.
“I’m good. Why?”
“Come on, Ellie. It’s me.”
“Awe, Jo. I’m twenty-seven. I don’t know why I still let her get to me.”
