Chapter 10
Salenewas in the back room mixing the new strawberry mix flavor for the new punchdrinks being offered when Kevin walked in.
"Heygirl um, there is some fine ass guy up front asking for his promised managerialperk of free coffee." Kevin smiled as he gripped the top of the doorframe, stretching out his long body.
Kevinwas tall like a basketball player with impossibly large shoulders to match.Covered in tattoos on his dark brown skin his tall muscled up body looked likeit belonged to a brawler of some sort. It was funny actually to watch customer’sreactions to Kevin. Their location was located in a pretty wealthy and moreimportantly Caucasian neighborhood, so when Kevin stepped up to greet them,their faces of shock were comical at best. But the humor did not stop thereKevin had a secret weapon that completely disarmed their parochial customers—hehad a smile that could break hearts. With that smile, he could have the moststraight of laced customers stammering over their orders.
Annoyedshe put the mix in the fridge. "What the hell?" She whispered back,Kevin simply shrugged.
Walkingout of the back room she did a double take when she saw Gabriel standing at thecounter with a mocking grin.
"Iwant my free coffee woman." He demanded.
Rollingher eyes, she fixed him a coffee knowing he would just pester her if she didnot. Attaching the lid to the piping hot drink, she went around the counter togive him the cup.
“Didyou really just come for the coffee or did you come to appease your curiosityabout Kevin?" She gave him a suspicious look.
Wrappinghis hands practically around hers as he took the warm cup from her grasp,sliding his rough fingers across her own. Salene could not understand this man,at every turn he was vile and rude towards her, but every now and then he wouldthoroughly confuse her with moments of pure sweetness.
"Bothactually," taking a sip of his black coffee his emerald eyes sparkledwickedly. "I came to check out this guy, so I can ensure nothing willhappen to my free coffee perk."
Thiswas not one of those sweet moments.
"BesidesI feel even more assured you are in capable hands," seeing her brow furrowin confusion he explained. "I heard him say, and I quote that I am a"fine ass guy."
DamnKevin's inability to whisper, this was all this man didn't need, more fodder tofeed his gigantic ego.
"Theman has impeccable taste."
Rollingher eyes, Salene could not help but smile. It seemed the moment she smiled heaverted his gaze over her head. The odd habit was something she had noticedlately. Was she that despised in his eyes that he could not even stand to seeher smile?
"Okaythen," too tired to deal with his hot and cold attitude she turned back tothe counter.
Notbothering to turn around the chimes clanking on the glass entrance signaled hisdeparture. Opening the cash register next to Kevin, Salene took the nextcustomer.
"So?"Kevin leaned over, nudging her with his elbow.
Smilingand taking the name of the customer she finished ringing up his order.
Settinga pastry on the pickup counter near Kevin she whispered. "That was"him."
"Well,shit." He whispered loudly. Thankfully there were no customers around."Why didn't you mention the fact that he is sexy as hell?"
Settingtwo coffees on the pickup counter she gave Kevin a disgusted look."Probably because he is an unmitigated jerk."
Grabbingher by the elbow, he stopped her and pulled her close to whisper in her ear."Yeah but that does not mean you guys can't have angry sex."
Beyondappalled Salene was momentarily struck speechless, without any consent on herbehalf her mind immediately conjured up the image of sex with Breslin, herwhole body immediately grew hot at the thought.
Annoyedshe shook her head. "No! That will never happen."
Thatevening after dinner was made and served she turned in early leaving Breslin tohis workout session. Sliding under the covers the low jingle of her phonenotification alerted her to a text. Assuming it was Kevin with another funny pictureSalene was stunned to see it was Amber.
"Heygirlie sorry I have not been in contact lately, so much drama let's do lunchtomorrow."
Rereadingthe text five more times Salene could not process what to feel first. Shock,anger, disbelief or all of the above. Scrolling up Salene could still see herlast text dated nearly a month ago now when she first moved in with Breslin.All unanswered and even more unanswered calls. But now she responds, now afterall this time Amber now found it convenient to reach out. Deleting the messagewas the first thought that popped into her head, but Salene could not bringherself to do it. Salene needed answers, she needed to know why her supposedbest friend completely went AWOL when she needed her most. Responding back witha location and time, Salene put away the phone she needed to get some sleepbecause she could already tell tomorrow was going to be hectic.
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