Her face flames and she drops her gaze, looking around like she’s trying to busy herself.
“That is one of the reasons you’re banned,” she mumbles.
“Fine. Is Bruno banned, too?”
“Of course not.”
“Great, then he will get a large Americano.”
“Dogs can’t have coffee.”
“Are you a vet?”
“Don’t need to be, I’m just not an idiot.”
“Are you saying I’m an idiot?” I lean out the window.
She shrugs.
I press my tongue to the inside of my cheek, biting back a smile and shaking my head. “Damn, Angel, you really are asking for a punishment, aren’t you?”
“And that’s another reason,” she murmurs, as she works on getting the coffee. I also notice her grab a smaller cup and fill it with whipped cream.
She hands me the small cup, and nods toward Bruno. “He can have a pup cup. And you can fuck off.”
I let out a chuckle, taking the cup from her, covering her hand with my own, and pull, making her gasp as our eyes lock on each other’s.
“Keep testing me, Angel. You know the consequences. I’ll be waiting for you when you’re done here.”
I take the cup, and hold it in front of Bruno as he sniffs and takes a tentative lick from the top.
When I turn, I see she’s handing me the large coffee, and I trade it for more cash than I know it costs. Before she’s able to give me change, I pull away and drive the short distance home. When I get there I pull out my phone to send her a text.
Wes: Come to my house when you’re done. Don’t even try to hide in your room. It’ll only make things worse for you.
She knows exactly what she’s doing, and I know exactly how she wants to be handled.
CHAPTER 18
Bailey
I debate running away once again.
I’ve done it before, and I’m sure I could do it again. It’s a pain in the ass, but I could manage. I always do. The only thing tying me here is my business. Roasted Bean is my pride and joy, but I could sell it. I’d be sad to let it go, but it would be okay.
I’d miss Sutton, I think. She’s one of the first real friends I’ve ever had and not having her around might be disappointing.
Lily too, I guess. But she’s away at college and who knows what she’ll be doing once she graduates. Maybe she won’t even come back here. I’m not exactly sure what degree she’s settled on because last she said she’s been bouncing around majors all the way from philosophy to business.
I don’t think she knows exactly what she’s going to do and I don’t blame her. She’s young and has plenty of time to figure it out.
I, on the other hand, have spent the entire thirty-one years ofmy life just trying to survive, escaping when I felt trapped or unsafe. And right now, that feeling is starting to appear again, but not because I feel like Wes is going to hurt me. I’m afraid I’m in over my head and while we haven’t had the most peaceful time living next to each other, I’ve managed to do my best to avoid him.
Until now.
I watch him drive away, his words are still replaying in my mind. Five minutes later, once I’ve finally managed to push them from my thoughts, my phone signals a text, and the words on my screen almost make me drop the device.
Wes: Come to my house when you’re done. Don’t even try to hide in your room. It’ll only make things worse for you.
