Page 34 of What About Us

That’s why I’m here.

Another shiver hits me as I walk past the open windows, and I just know my nipples are hard, which would normally be okay.

Because tips.

But I don’t really need to be showing them off in front of Xander and his crew. Not that there’s anything I can do about it.

I walk by Xander, and he wraps his hand around my wrist, stopping me.

“You okay, Red?”

“Sure. Do you need something?”

He frowns, looking me in the eyes, and I can’t help but shiver again.

“You’re cold.”

I shrug. “It’s no big deal. The customers like the windows open.” I smile at Britney, who has already drained her drink. “Would you like another?”

“One more,” she confirms. “That’s the best espresso martini I’ve ever had.”

Feeling more confident than earlier, I move behind the bar again and get the espresso ready to pull from the machine.

That’s the key. Fresh coffee.

And I grind the beans every day.

I’ve just served Britney her drink when suddenly Xander’s in front of me, holding out a Denver Flurry hoodie.

“You’ll swim in this, but here. Wear it.”

I blink at him. “Is this yours?”

“Yeah, I grabbed it from the car. You’re cold, wildcat. Put it on.”

I shake my head and lick my lips. Leaning in, I whisper so only Xander can hear me. “I can’t wear that. I need the tips, and that means I have to wear, well . . . less.”

His eyes narrow and dip to my cleavage and then back to my eyes. “Fuck that. I’ll give you two thousand dollars to wear the goddamn hoodie.”

I take a step back and frown right back at him.

“That’s not how it works, Xander.”

“You’re dead wrong, Ivy.”

His voice is hard, and why do I love hearing my name on his lips so much?

“I don’t want your money.”

“You’re cold,” he insists. “Please wear it until you warm up, and then you can take it off. It’s a compromise. And I’ll reimburse you for all of the missed tips.”

I nibble my lip, eyeing the hoodie. It looks cozy. And I bet it smells like him.

Okay, creepy girl.

“Thank you,” I finally murmur and take the sweatshirt from him, slip it over my head and pull my hair through, and yep.

Smells like Xander.