“Ugh. I know.” She runs her hands over her face. “Not my finest moment. This whole morning has been off, and I lost it on him. Can you imagine if he was a real robber with a real gun? I would probably be dead.” Her face blanches at her own comment.
“It’s a good thing he wasn’t then, right?”
She nods her head and takes another sip of water.
I’m not sure what else to say but curiosity gets the best of me. “So, dick pics and herpes, huh?”
Her eyes widen. “You heard that?”
“I did.” I try to hold back my grin but fail.
And then the most perfect sound comes out of her mouth. If I thought she was beautiful before, it doesn’t hold a candle to when she’s laughing. She puts her whole body into it, and she looks so carefree. For the first time in… I can’t even remember, my heart skips a beat, and I stare at her with a smile on my face.
A few tears fall from her eyes as she gets herself under control and when her laughter finally subsides, she points to me. “Just so you know, those dick pics aren’t some pervy spank bank material. Especially not the herpes one. They were sent to me by my many admirers.”
“I wouldn’t judge you if they were.” I put my hands up and smile at her.
“It’s this stupid dating app. Since when is sending pictures of your nether region a form of flirting?” she questions.
A flare of jealousy rises in my chest for unknown reasons. The girl isn’t even mine and I have the carnal need to stake my claim on her. And why is she using a dating app in the first place? Surely, she can get a date that doesn’t involve using the internet. She’s a fucking knockout.
I reel back my emotions before I tell her, “Men are disgusting, it’s just facts. Especially when a pretty woman is involved.”
A blush creeps up her cheeks and she looks away. For self-preservation reasons, I look away too. I’m overstepping and I know it.
This gives me the perfect opportunity to look at my watch. I won’t be late by any means, but I need to head to work so I’m not tempted to say anything stupid again. “I better head out. Will you be okay?”
“Oh... of course! Yes. I’ll be fine,” she stumbles over her words.
I pause for a few seconds, getting one last look at her, and then with a two-finger salute, I wave goodbye. I hustle over to my stuff to gather everything and then walk out the door into the cool morning air without looking back.
I feel the heat of her stare but don’t turn around. I’m afraid that if I do, I’ll do something stupid. Like stay and profess the undying crush I have on her.
Chapter 3
Jordan
Istare at the man's retreating form, frozen in shock at the events of the morning. When the bell chimes, signaling that he’s left the building, I finally snap out of it.
“What the fuck was that?” I say to no one. I scrub my hands over my face to wake me out of my haze and get up to put the money back in the register. It’s all there, thank God.
Penny is going to have a field day with what transpired this morning. I have to tell her about it though. She and Autumn are always up early, and she makes sure to check the security cameras because I’m in here by myself for a few hours in the mornings. Even though she lives upstairs, she has to take Autumn to pre-school during the week, so she doesn’t come in until after she drops her off.
I wipe my sweaty palms on my legs and send a text telling her to get back to me ASAP.
My mind drifts towards Mr. Hottie. The way he grabbed the gun and manhandled Kyle was impressive. Like he’s done it before. I honestly thought my life was on the line and became a rambling mess under the pressure. And then this guy comesin and saves the day like it was nothing. Like he was more inconvenienced than worried.
I need to have a serious talk with Kyle and his mom after this little stunt though. I wish he would have just asked for the money. Every once in a while, I front them any extra cash I have, which isn’t often, but still. His mom, Mary, always tries to give it back to me but I’m stubborn and refuse every time.
My text tone for Penny chimes.
Penny: Is this about the dating app? Already have takers, huh? (kissy winky face)
Me: Well, that’s just one of the things that happened this morning…
Penny: I want the juicy details. Tell me!
Me: I may or may not have been almost robbed…
