“Your trainee, huh?” Don cocks an eyebrow.
“Back off, buddy.”
“Okay, okay…” Don holds up his hands. “Sorry, man. You’re the boss.”
I don’t get the looks they keep shooting each other, and I’m even more confused when Lewis’s brown eyes slide over to me. I can’t meet his gaze. Not without a flush creeping over my cheeks, anyway.
Urgh. Make it stop.
“Monday, twelve thirty. The south parking lot,” Lewis rasps.
“Okay.”
“Don’t be late.”
“Okay.”
“And drop the attitude, too.”
I laugh. “How aboutyoudrop the”—hotness?—“warm and welcoming vibes,” I finish, smirking at him. “You’re justtoonice, you know? Makes a girl feel awkward.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Same here,” I snap back.
“Wonderful.”
“Amazing.”
“Have a great day, Firebird.”
“Right back at you, Campus Driver.”
And with that, I drop my gaze and turn on my heel without so much as a glance at the other two, crossing the shop in a few quick strides, taking the steps in threes until I reach the safety of my apartment. I need to punch something. Hard.
“I think this could be the start of something special,” Donovan yells out to Lewis.
“Shut up, man!”
Stepping into the hallway, I swing open the door so fast it bounces against the living room wall.
“You trying to get my water to break early?” my sister shouts from the couch. “Can’t you at leasttryto slip in quietly? You scared the crap out of me!”
“Maybe you need a good strong shot of barbecue sauce to steady your nerves,” I offer.
I make a beeline for the fridge, ignoring my sister’s hard stare as I cross the open-plan kitchen and grab myself a soda, gulping down its sweetness. This whole Campus Drivers thing—is itreallya good idea?In terms of money and rep, it’s solid. But in terms of mental health, I have my doubts.
“Weren’t you supposed to be working with Ronny today?”
“I am. I’m just waiting for his two customers to beat it, and then I’ll head back down.”
“They’re cute.” She smiles at me. “Is that why you’re freaking out?”
“I’m not freaking out!”
“Honey, I’ve literally known you since the day you were born—you’re freaking out.”
I shake my head. “How do you even know they’re cute?”
