“Yeah. I think so,” I admit as I jackknife into a sitting position.
Resting my head in my hands, I close my eyes. The only thing I see is Cora’s smile, but it quickly morphs into a scowl. I acted like such a jerk, I wouldn’t be surprised if she actually quit. I don’t want her to quit. I want her to stay. I wanther.I’m so screwed.
“Good. Come get ice for your eye. I bet that’s gonna be a real shiner.” She shakes her head. “Nice shot, Seth.”
I whip my head in her direction.
“Really? You’re congratulating him? It was a cheap shot.”
Emma shrugs. “Maybe, but at least it got you to stop and think. Didn’t it? Bet it knocked some sense into you when he rang your bell.Come on, ice before it gets too bad.” She waves at me to get up and follow her.
Glancing at Seth, I see his hand outstretched.
“Good?”
“Yeah, we’re good.”
“Good. You look like shit.” He licks his busted lip and grins at me.
“Yeah, well, you don’t look much better.” I smile back at him, wincing a bit. That last shot really stung. Accepting Seth’s hand, I pull myself off the mat. “Thanks, man.”
“For the hand, or the beating?”
“Both.” I admit as I head out toward the kitchen to see Emma about the ice, ignoring Rhett and Kash’s snickering.
Walking into the coffee shop on Tuesday afternoon, the scent of coffee and baked goods washes over me. Fuck, I missed this place, or at the very least their products. Heading over to the counter, I take in the lobby to see if the angry girl from last time is still here. Luck appears to be on my side because I bite back a laugh as she scowls at a customer.
I’m pretty sure she and Cora are friends, or at least friendly. She usually comes into the shop with a cup that has the business’ logo on it, so I know Cora’s at least a frequent customer.
Browsing through the case as I wait, I try to decide what to pick out. What says, ‘I’m sorry I was a jealous dick’? Making eye contact with the girl at the front, I see her name tag says “Mara.”
Yep, just who I need to see. I’ve heard Cora mention her name a time or two.
“You’re not welcome here,” she says, paired with her signature scowl.
Turning around, I figure she’s talking to someone behind me, but as it turns out, I’m wrong.
“Who?” I stupidly ask.
“You. You arenotwelcome here.”
“I thought you said I was welcome back anytime. Remember?”
“That was before.” She glares.Jesus, what is her deal?
“Before what? I didn’t do anything. I haven’t been here in weeks.”
“Are you sure about that? Cora doesn’t work for you and your idiot friends at your tattoo shop?” she questions. “You’re not the guy who yelled at her when she had an emergency last week?” She raises a brow. “You’re not Atlas?”
Shit.The way she is glaring at me makes me thankful looks don’t kill. I’ve had my share of angry people stare at me, but this girl is downright scary. Her dark hair is tied into a single braid, and the ring in her nose isn’t a stud; it’s a snake. Tattoos line her hands, and from what I can tell, they don’t stop there. She looks like she eats nails for breakfast.
“That was a misunderstanding.” Glancing around, I notice a few people staring. I push down the warm feeling creeping up inside of me, telling me to bolt. “She comes in soon, and I was hoping you were here,” I admit.
That knocks some of the anger off her face; in its place now is curiosity.
“Why?”
“Because I acted like a jerk. I know she comes in here frequently, or that you at least know her, so I wanted to get her something she can have when she comes in. To go along with my apology, of course.”
