“So, you’re only doubting yourself,” he states.
“No, really, I can’t understand it. You should see them. They’re incredibly good-looking. Xander’s probably the most handsome guy I’ve ever seen. He’s tall, built like a Viking, covered in tattoos and piercings, has a face like a bearded angel, and he is kind and protective. Clay’s so funny, charming, and tall too. He is like everyone’s wet dream come true. And Joshua… he looks like he walked out of a fashion magazine, and he’s the sweetest guy I know. Why would men like them even look my way, let alone want to be with me?”
Howie fixes his gaze on me, his hand gently stroking his beard as if contemplating something profound. After a brief pause, he utters, “Did you know that butterflies can’t see their own wings?”
I scrunch up my face, slightly perplexed by the sudden shift in conversation. “Butterflies?” I question, unsure of where he’s leading with this analogy.
“They live their whole life without realizing how beautiful they are. But everyone else sees and admires that beauty.”
I let out a sigh. “I’m no beauty.”
He chuckles warmly. “Butterfly.”
Clay
Forgot to mention, you were on a secret police mission for the past few days and are not allowed to talk about it. Happy shift!
I stare downat Clay’s message, glad I decided to check my phone for a text from Joshua before starting my shift.
“What is wrong with this guy?” I mutter to myself and quickly stash my jacket and backpack in my locker, tying my apron around my waist.
Work with Sophia was slow today. I was looking forward to seeing Joshua and, okay, maybe Clay too, for dinner. But they didn’t show. A local gang that’s been quiet for a while is crawling out of their holes again, making things busier for them.
Joshua told me Clay handled the situation with my job here, but I should have asked what this meant.
I head to the bar through the kitchen and quickly nod to Lennard and Matteo.
“Hey, are you all right? Where have you been?” Matteo asks, walking beside me.
“Top secret,” I reply as we reach the bar where Cindy is busy painting her nails.
“Carolina,” she exclaims, giving me a kind of air hug, careful not to smudge her freshly painted nails. “Finally! Could you help the police with their case?”
“I can’t talk about it,” I reply, trying to keep a straight face while mentally cursing Clay.
“Oh, right.” She giggles. “That handsome cop and your boyfriend mentioned something like that.”
“Boyfriend?” Matteo chimes in.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in the back?” I ask him, sounding uninterested.
“Carina, a cop?” He raises an eyebrow at me.
“This is the front.” I gesture toward the bar, and he gives me a sharp look before huffing and heading back to the kitchen.
Cindy laughs. “You’re such a cold bitch. I love it. Now tell me, did you spend some time with the handsome cop too? Honestly, he could handcuff me any day.” I huff a laugh. If she only knew. “And what happened? You go out of here, determined to lose your V-Card, and then you just vanish? Was the dick so good?” She grins at her joke. Then her face falls, and she whispers, “Or was it that bad?”
“The dick was perfect, thank you very much.” I laugh. “And like I said, top secret.”
“Okay, forget the working for a cop part. Tell me everything about the having sex with a cop part.” She grins from ear to ear.
I hesitate, but she did help me, so I have to give her at least something. “He was gentle and made sure I enjoyed it too. It was good,” I offer, thinking about Joshua and feeling tingles in my stomach.
“It was good? Oh my gosh, you’re blushing! I’m so happy for you,” she exclaims, clapping her hands together. “Do you think you could get his partner’s number for me? After the past few days without you, I’m so over Donny. He’s such a jerk. And that other cop? He is fucking candy on a stick.”
Jealousy flares inside me, and I can feel my hands balling into fists. “He’s off-limits,” I state sharply, surprised by the strength of my feelings.
She tilts her head, studying me. “Oh wow, you’re into him too?”
