Laughing, I agree, “You know it.” Who needs boys when I have Noah to keep me entertained and busy? Sure, he can’t cook for me yet, but maybe I can teach him how to use the stove top when he gets a bit older. One day, he’ll be someone’s husband, and I’ll be damned if he doesn’t know basic cooking skills or how to help out around the house.
Settling in for the night, I grab my phone and check for any messages from Mila or Mara. They’re supposed to come up with a plan for a girls’ night, but I haven’t heard from them yet. Matt messaged me tonight with a few dates for games. I’ll have to text him back, but that’s a duty for another day. Tomorrow is Tuesday, and it’s back to the shop and the guys. Which means it’s back to Atlas.
Tossing my phone aside, I slide under the covers. Closing my eyes, I don’t dream of Matt or have nightmares about Bea. My dreams are focused on a certain tall, dark-haired, tattooed man with eyes that never stay on mine long enough to figure out if the brown I see is hazel or chocolate. And I’m a sucker for chocolate.
After parking, I take a deep breath before going in. I still have a few minutes, but it’s the first time I’ve been here since Noah got sick andAtlas went full jerk. If he starts again today, I don’t think I’ll be able to take it.Positive thoughts, Cora.
Sliding out of my seat, I grab my bag and head in the front entrance. We have parking behind the building, but there are also spots out front. However, Kash told me he’d feel better if I parked close to the building instead of out by the alley. He’s a good guy, a bit of a playboy, but he seems like he has a good heart underneath it all.
Walking into the shop, I take in the quiet lobby. Seth’s head pops up from his station, nodding a greeting. The music playing through the speakers is on shuffle, featuring some sort of EDM, which means Kash is roaming around here too. There’s an unspoken rule between the guys that whoever opens the shop gets the first pick of music.
Heading to the break area, I wave at Seth and take a deep breath. I don’t know whether I’m relieved or disappointed that I don’t see Atlas. He’s usually here on Tuesdays. I’ve discovered it’s his busiest day. Walking through the doorway, Kash greets me with a huge smile.
“There’s my favorite girl. How’s it going? Is everything okay now?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for asking.” Kash is one of those guys who you know would sleep with you the second you gave them the green light but isn’t serious. I’ve safely stuffed him and all the guys into the friend zone.Well,almostall of them.
“Hey, man. I didn’t think you were in yet,” Kash greets someone behind me.
Without turning around, I know it’s Atlas. There’s a tension in the air that wasn’t there before, and I brace myself before turning. He’s standing in dark jeans and his signature hoodie and beanie combo, hair poking out. There’s something different about him, though. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it might be the black eye he’s sporting.
“What happened to your face? Are you okay?” I hate that I feel concerned.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I made a stop in town and thought I’d comein early. Can I, uh, talk to you, Cora? In private?” He seems nervous, which is not like him.
“Whatever. Behave, you two.” Kash wiggles his brows as he heads out. “Glad you’re back, girlie.” He gives me a quick peck on the cheek as he passes. I can’t help the giggle that comes out, especially when I see the death glare that Atlas aims his way.
“Come to yell at me some more?”
Sitting my stuff down, I avoid looking at him. I’m not an angry person, but he brings out this other side that I don’t recognize.
“No. Though you deserve to yell at me,” he admits.
For once, I’m speechless.Is he apologizing?
“Yes, I’m apologizing.”Shit, I must have said that out loud.
“For what?”I’m dying to know.
“I guess for everything. I have no excuse for the asshole I’ve been. You don’t owe me any explanations about your life, just like you don’t ask for any from me. I overstepped, and I’m sorry.”
“Try again, dumbass!” Kash yells from out in the lobby.
Angrily stalking toward the breakroom door, Atlas swings it shut, trapping us together.
“Um, what was that about?”
“Just Kash being stupid.”
I eye him skeptically, “Mhmm, sure. Look, I don’t want to fight with you or anyone else, Atlas. I’d like to stay here working with you guys, but if this keeps up, I’ll?—”
“You’ll what?” He steps toward me, right into my personal space.
The instinct to step back comes over me quickly, but I push it away. For all the things Atlas is, he isn’t violent, at least not with me. “You’re in my space, Atlas.”
He looks away, but I swear I hear something that sounds like a muttered, “And you’re in my brain.”
“I’m sorry, Cora,” he murmurs, taking another step toward me. His hand comes up behind his head, where he rubs it, looking uncomfortable. A part of me feels bad for him, but the other partdoesn’t. He was wrong to yell at me the way he did. His treatment in general over the last few weeks has been uncalled for.
