I can’t tell if she’s hyper-focused on her closing duties or actively avoiding me, but it bugs me that Stella hasn’t even glanced my way since we’ve been left alone.
“Hey,” I call out, making my way over to her where she’s wiping down the bar. “Need help with anything?”
“I’m good,” she says, staring a hole into the counter.
“You sure?”
“Yup.”
“Wow, that actually sounded sure.”
“Do I get a gold star?”
“Something crawl up your ass?”
She snorts. “Charming.” I look around at how much she’s already done without me.
“You’re very productive.”
“It’s amazing how much you can accomplish when you’re not walking around with a baseball bat in your pants,” she says, her eyes trailing over me for a second, hovering over my barely stiffened crotch. I smile.
“Brat.” She only rolls her eyes at me and continues her work. “Hey, just wondering why the woman nicknamed ‘perky-McHappy’ looks like she’s going to go away for murder in a minute here.”
She sighs, allowing her head to fall back. “Tired. Long night.”
“You seem to work most nights.” Most nights that I’m here, anyway.
“Yup.”
“Alright.” I don’t know where to go from here. I awkwardly shift on my feet. “Guess I’ll head out.”
“I’m heading out too. Walk me to my bike?” It’s the first glimpse of any kind of positive engagement from her and I’m not about to squander it. I’m going to be nice.
“You biked? That’s so fucking stupid, Stella.”
Whoops.
“Lay off, dude,” she says, shoving me out of the way to drop the night’s cash and grab her coat. I’m not lying though. Biking at night in the snow, even with snow tires, is idiotic. Bad things can happen to a woman on her own in the city. Stella is more than capable of taking care of herself, but I still worry. Just because someone’s a strong woman doesn’t mean that there aren’t awful people out there who could hurt them.
I’m stunned when she walks out with the crappiest pink bike I’ve ever seen in my life.
“You’re not biking,” I say with finality, following her out the back.
“Yes I am.” She locks the door and pulls her bike down the two steps. Before she can get any further, I hoist it over my shoulder and stalk over to my car.
“Hey! That’s theft! Give that back!” Sella shouts as she chases after me, smacking me on the back like she thinks it’ll do something.
“Nope. Get in.” I’m not giving her a choice as I stow her bike in the car and cross my arms, trying to give her my most intimidating glare. She pauses for a moment before bursting out laughing.
“Oh my god! Are you trying to be scary? That’s so cute! I’ll bet that worked on Nessa all the time growing up.” She’s clutchingher belly as she chortles through her words. I’d be offended if she weren’t so fucking cute. I can’t help cracking a smile of my own.
“Fuck off. Get in the car.”
“Which is it? Screw off or get in the car?”
“Brat.” I take her by the hand and open her door, shuffling her in. “Do you need me to buckle you in, too?”
“I’m a big girl, stud. Don’t worry.”
