Forty-Nine
Violet
Afew days had passedsince I had told the guys why I didn’t like to celebrate my birthday.I was relieved that they didn’t dwell on it and let me have the time and space I needed to sort through my feelings.It had been such a long time since anyone hadwantedto celebrate my birthday that the thought of doing anything felt foreign.
I was finishing my shift at Surf ’N Shack when I looked up and found Enzo and Asher talking to Capshaw.My brows furrowed as I tried to figure out what they were up to.Capshaw nodded but kept his focus on the floor as he listened, his attention clearly on whatever they were telling him.I wiped down the counter and took the cleaning stuff to the back so I could clock out and call it a day.
When I walked out, the guys were sitting at a table by the front door, waiting for me.I smiled at them, but it was a little tighter than usual since I was still wondering what they were up to.Enzo met my gaze and gave me a smirk that said he wasn’t going to say anything, while Asher gave me the smile he knew could get me to agree to just about anything.
“Whatever you two are up to, just stop,” I said as I stood in front of them.
“What makes you think we’re up to something?”Asher replied, tilting his head to the side as the light caught his dimple and made him look that much more adorable than he already was.
“Because I saw you talking to my boss.”
“So?He’s a nice guy, and we’ve gotten to know him better,” Enzo answered, an unspoken challenge in his eyes as he watched me.
I tipped my head back and groaned when it finally hit me.
“Please tell me that you didn’t tell him that my birthday is coming up.”
“We have no control over the information he has on file for you or what he chooses to do with that information.”
I narrowed my eyes at Enzo, knowing that was exactly what they had done.
Before I could say anything, Capshaw walked over, grinning like the two fools sitting in front of me.
“Whatever they said, just ignore—”
“They didn’t say anything that I didn’t already know.However, I wanted to tell you that I’m giving you the rest of the week off.”
“What?”
“The rest of the week—take it off and spend it however you want.Your next shift won’t be until Monday.”
“Capshaw, you don’t have to—”
“I don’t have to do anything unless it’s an order from Kensy.We are fully staffed again now that my dad is back, so take the time off.”
“Thank you, I appreciate the sentiment.However, I would really like to work and get those hours—”
“You can keep arguing, but I don’t think you’re going to win,” Asher interrupted, licking his lips as I glared at him.“You’re taking the next few days off, whether you like it or not.”
I put my hands on my hips and stared at him.
“You’re not the boss of me.”
