“You think he washed it with his underwear? You could be wearing something that’s touched the fabric that touches his dick.”
Ashley laughs as I shove her playfully.
“Cut it out.”
“When do you start?”
I shrug and make myself busy, wiping down the already spotless counter as the first flurry of customers start arriving.
“You called him last night to accept, didn’t you? Like we agreed?” Ashley crosses her arms, giving me the look of a teacher exhausted by a student with all the potential in the world but zero initiative. “His temp PA emailed you the offer—you have it in writing. Girl, snap it up before he changes his mind. Think what you could do with that money. Picture me as your wing-woman, perched on your shoulder. You’ve got talent, Tate. Dreams to chase. This offer could change everything—your song… your dad… just think about it.”
“I know.” I gnaw on my lower lip.
Ashley’s always been better at seizing opportunities than me. She’s a ‘yes’ person. It’s how she’s managed to build such a successful business by herself. She’s got plans to open other coffee venues. And I know she’ll achieve it, because she isn’t scared of taking a chance.
Not like me.
“What did your dad say?” she asks.
“He said if I want to do it, then he thinks it’s a great opportunity. And that I should be out and not home every night with him.”
“He’s right.” Ashley gives me a pointed look. “You know he is. And we’ll work it around your shifts here. The morning’s the busiest when I need you, and the contract said daytimes and occasional evenings, right? Plus, it’s only a few hours here and there.”
“You’re really trying to sell it to me, aren’t you?” I laugh, wiping my clammy hands on my apron, then stopping as another subtle waft of something expensive hits me. It’s weird to think that my apron was amongst Sullivan Beaufort’s laundry.
“I don’t get why you aren’t snapping his hand off to accept.”
Ashley turns to take a customer’s order and I busy myself fixing it for them.
I know I have to say yes to his offer. How can I not? My father and I need the cash. And I’d give my time for free to spend it with Molly. She’s a cutie. Full of smiles and giggles. But it’s her father I’m concerned about. He spent the entire time pacing up and down like an angry bull when he was in his office. I caught him glaring at me more than once with those eyes of his. Piercing blue and deadly. The kind of eyes that are so mesmerizing they take you aback and you can’t help but stare. They’ve the power to freeze you in place while he devours you alive.
Yet, I couldn’t stop looking at him. Just like I couldn’t stop turning his business card over and over between my fingers, feeling the smooth velvety texture as I laid in bed last night. Even that smelled incredible. The gold foiling on it is so vivid it wouldn’t surprise me if it were actual gold. He’s a billionaire, after all.
I snort, earning a quizzical look from Ashley.
“Fine,” I whisper as I reach for the cocoa. “I’ll call him after my shift.”
The end of my shift comes fast because we’re busy with a constant stream of customers. One has a Beaufort Diamonds bag draped over her forearm as she peruses the menu board behind the counter. The sight of it makes my stomach squirm.
“Do it now.” Ashley holds Caffeine Couture’s phone out to me the moment I take my apron off and fold it neatly.
“I’ll use my cell as I walk to the subway.”
“You’ll wimp out.” She presses the phone into my palm. “Do. It. Now.”
I huff out a breath and pull his business card from my purse. Ashley gives a satisfied smile as I take the phone.
“Wait. This has his office number and his cell. Which should I call?”
“His cell,” she says quickly.
I nod in agreement. I’m also less likely to get that snooty receptionist if I try him directly. Although a conversation with her might be a walk in the park compared to Sullivan Beaufort.
I tap it in and hold my breath.
“It’s ringing,” I tell Ashley as my heart rate picks up.
“Sullivan Beaufort.”
