Why does it matter to him who Matt is?
Sadly, I continue to come up blank. I have more pressing concerns to attend to.
If Noah has a stomach bug, then I’m out tomorrow from the library. It’s not like I’m hurting for money, having put away a nest egg into savings. I want Noah to have enough money so that if he wants to explore college, or shit, even traveling, he’ll have that option. Maybe I should start looking for a different part-time job. One that doesn’t come with an Atlas.
Chapter Eight
Atlas
Seth looks at Cora’s retreating form and then back to me. “What in the actual fuck was that?”
“What was what?” I ask, trying to pretend I don’t know what he means.
“Your dickish behavior.”
“I love you. Don’t forget that.”That’s what she said on the phone to whoever the hell Matt is. I didn’t catch the entire conversation, but I heard enough. Cora has a boyfriend and just rushed out of here to be with him.
“I wasn’t being a dick,” I grumble, knowing full well I was.
“Are you shitting me? She ran out of here because she had an emergency, Atlas. She wasn’t going on a freaking coffee run or something.” He rubs the back of his head with his hand. “I don’t get you, man.”
I don’t have an answer for him either. She told Kash’s regular, James, that she didn’t have a boyfriend, and then she told some guy she loves him. What the hell is that about? I shouldn’t care so much, but damn if it doesn’t make me mad. She sits out there all day, smiling at everyone and chatting with the people who come in.
I want all her attention on me, but every time I talk to her, I end up behaving like a jackass. There’s something about her that calls to me, so the idea of anyone being close to her sends me into a rage. I don’t mean to take it out on her, but she’s got me so twisted up and she doesn’t even realize.
I was plotting how to torture Kash’s client the entire time he was leaning over the counter, smiling at her.Fucker.
“Where’s Cora? Is my last guy here?” Rhett asks, joining us at the front.
“Not yet. Dickhead over here acted like his usual self, and then she got an emergency call and had to leave.”
“Was she okay?” Kash asks, dropping into Cora’s empty chair.
“Yeah,” Seth says. “She said she had it covered, then dummy here yelled at her for leaving.”
“I did not yell at her.” I try to defend myself even though I know it sounds hollow.
Three sets of eyes focus on me.
“Um, Atlas,” Rhett cuts in. “You kind of did.”
Fuck.He might be right. I didn’t mean to yell at her, but I was already frustrated that James was flirting with her. I’m not mad at Cora. I could never be mad at her. She talks to everyone so easily and is genuinely kind. She doesn’t deserve my outbursts.
I’m jealous of every fucker she smiles at. Until I know she’s mine, I don’t want anyone getting any ideas.
“We literally hired her to be the friendly face ofExiled Inkbecause, well, your sourpuss face wasn’t helping anything.”
“I’m with Rhett on this,” Kash adds. “Cora has been a breath of fresh air. I mean, yeah, she shut me down on the first day, but she’s a cool chick. Dependable. Did you guys know she’s like a children’s librarian or some shit? So hot.” He laughs, but the only thing I can hear is that he made a move on her.
“You hit on Cora?” My blood heats, as my brain only focuses on that part of everything he just said.
“Is that seriously the only thing you heard? She’s amazing, Atlas;gorgeous too. You’d have to be blind not to notice, so hell yeah, I did. She turned me down, though. Said she didn’t have time for relationships or ‘pretty boys with top knots.’” He laughs. “But she did offer to set me up with her friend instead.”
Relief courses through me that she turned him down, but it’s short-lived because she may still have a boyfriend, and that doesn’t sit well with me. She can’t be with anyone else because she’s mine. Cora just doesn’t know it. Even though the idea of letting someone in scares the shit out of me, as long as it’s her, it will be fine.
“Go home, Atlas. You don’t have any more clients today, and honestly, I’d kind of like to punch you right now.” Kash shakes his head in disappointment.
I stare at the guys. “I’ll fix it.”
