Vanessa’s tight black shirt rides up her side as she grabs a blueberry muffin. It slips past the tongs, misses the plate, and bounces off the floor. She huffs out a breath and picks up another muffin, trying to make the tongs work it into the bag before handing it to me.
Her hands seem to shake, so it’s taking forever, but she manages to deliver a bag with a muffin. I accept a to-go bag with a smile.
At the register, she eyes the bill she placed before me, which I haven’t paid.
She swallows before telling me the total again.
Nassrine, the manager, walks up and wipes her hands on an apron. “She’s new, Mr. Hellway.” Nassrine swipes the bill off to the side. The woman insists on treating me in the mornings. Despite his felony charge, I employ her husband, and that kind of gratitude earns me perks.
“I see. Vanessa is a coffee shop virgin.” I smile.
Nassrine laughs, looking a little uncomfortable because I don’t normally throw out this sort of sexual comment at the staff. Pleasant and professional, I am. Right now, I’m a bit off. My morning is completely ruined, and distractions threw me off the path. However pleasant they might have been.
“This is Blake Hellway.” Nassrine introduces me to my lady. “The hotel owner.”
“We’ve met,” I say and lean over the counter. “Come here, baby doll.” Vanessa’s face turns bright red, but she leans in nevertheless. “I have a gala dinner to attend this evening. I would’ve called today, but seeing as the universe has placed you here early, I thought I’d not waste time.”
“I have homework this evening. I’m studying for my teacher cert.”
Ah. She’s trying to explain her lying about being a kindergarten teacher. “I’ll send the dress and jewelry.”
“I can’t this evening.”
“What is your shoe size? I’m afraid I’m not a foot man.”
“Nine. And a half sometimes, but I really can’t come with you.”
“Leave the panties at home, and have a lovely day.”
5
NESSA
My first day at work, like most first days at work, involves a lot of stumbling, confusion, mistakes, and frustration with trying to keep up with all the people coming in and out of the busiest coffee shop I’ve ever worked at, and I’ve worked at many, trying to pay for college and certification.
My parents couldn’t afford much for me and Jen, especially because Jen and I are twins and that’s a double hole in their pockets at the same time.
After high school, Jen finished beauty school, then fell in with the wrong crowd working makeup for a rock band. Drugs with rock and roll are still very much a thing, and Jen loved it until she ended up hospitalized and needing rehab, which normal people like us can’t afford.
We can afford it now. Last night, I sold my hymen to Blake Hellway, who just walked into the coffee shop in his own hotel, of all places. He’s hot. I mean, he’s so hot, it’s intimidating and definitely bad for my heart.
I don’t want to star in one of those Cinderella stories where a charming prince glances at the glass slipper on his way to a woman of his own class. I can’t be that Cinderella. Never liked her story anyway. It’s completely out of the scope of reality.
But so is selling virginity for half a mil, or rather four hundred thousand after the men my sister owed drug money to took their cut before they delivered a bag of cash to my door late last night almost immediately after Blake left.
I was terrified the two shady-looking dudes walking up our driveway would break in and kill us. They didn’t. They threw a leather bag into our backyard. A nice leather bag full of cash.
I don’t know why I expected a direct deposit into my account, but I did. Goes to show how much I know about dealing with these guys.
The next customer and the one after move through the shop and my morning in a haze. The cologne Blake wore lingers in the place, imprinting him on my brain. Before my break, I wipe the counter and pick up a receipt, glancing at it before tossing it in the garbage.
Coffee.
Croissant.
Mints.
TOTAL:
