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Scarlett lights up, beaming a brilliant smile. “Really?”
The woman grins, nodding her head. “Absolutely. Which means, I’d like to offer you the job. I also was thinking that maybe you could come up with a mural for my back wall. What do you think? That wallpaper really needs to go.”
Scarlett squeaks with her excitement and suddenly freezes, tensing beside me. She glances at me and then at the woman. “I’ll have to...”
I realize that she probably applied for a job painting the windows for this coffee shop and just got it. And now she’s nervous. She doesn’t know whether or not she can accept it, considering none of us knew, and it was before we proposed and arranged to marry her.
“We’ll have to celebrate. This is amazing, Scarlett.” I slide my hand around her waist and give her a shake. “I can’t wait to see what you have in store.”
Scarlett blinks her watery eyes, her shoulders relaxing. “Really?”
“Yes, really. I’ll talk to the others. I’m sure they’ll be fine with this, considering that they apparently have a lot of fucking adulting to do.” I never knew I could be so proud of someone that I’ve just met, but I am.
Scarlett steps away from me, smiling like the sun shines from within her. She closes the space to the woman. “I accept. I’m so happy!”
“I’m happy to have you too. I’d like to have it done within a month, if that’s okay. In time for the Fall Carnival.” The woman eyes me from over Scarlett’s shoulder but doesn’t say anything. I’m sure she’s wondering what an alpha is doing with a...I’m assuming she thinks Scarlett is a beta, considering that she’s been passing as one for a while.
“I think I can manage that as long as I can get here every day.” Scarlett shifts on her feet and peeks at me.
I nod my head at her.
“Perfect. If you hold on a second, I’ll grab the contract and the check for the deposit and supplies you quoted me.” The woman spins on her feet, her braid flinging. The door chimes from behind us, and she turns toward a swing door that leads to the back. “Chaz, come watch the register.”
Scarlett stiffens and takes a step back, her sudden fear permeating through the air, her cherry-vanilla scent turning warmer like a cherry pie fresh from the oven. I stride a few feet toward her and take her hand again, only to have her yank it away as a twenty-something beta with unkempt hair, a coffee-stained shirt, and jeans with holes in the knees appears from the back room.
The guy, Chaz, ties an apron around his waist and stands at the register. “Dickasso, I didn’t think you ever left your dorm. What can I—”
I step forward and block Scarlett, noticing how rigid she is in front of the beta. “I’ll take a cold brew with vanilla. Scarlett will have...”
“What he’s having,” she says softly, finishing our order.
“And two croissants and egg bites. If we want something else, I’ll order more.” I pull out my wallet.
Chaz narrows his eyes at me. “That’ll be—”
“On the house. Scarlett will be painting our windows for Halloween,” the woman says, cutting off Chaz and setting a stack of papers on the counter. “That’s an extra perk for you, Scarlett.”
“Wow, okay. That’s awesome. Lucky you, Dickasso. I bet your dad is happy you’ll be painting something else that isn’t...you know.” Chaz eyes me, turning toward Scarlett. “I have some experience painting if you need any help. Or we can just hang out. You look like you could use some fun and inspiration...for all your cock drawings.”
“Stop, Chaz.” Scarlett flushes, her cheeks turning bright red, realizing I can hear everything he fails to whisper.
It pisses me off more than it should. I don’t know what comes over me, but I don’t like the way he teases her or calls her names. How he embarrasses her. I don’t want him anywhere near her.
I stride forward and grab the front of his shirt, growling in his face. “Don’t talk to her like that. Show some respect or you will—”
“Leo, it’s okay.” Scarlett grabs at my arm, getting me to step away. “Please. It’s fine.”
But it’s not. I’ll not let her just take his harassment. She’s clearly uncomfortable, and I’m sure there’s a reason.
I turn toward the woman. “I don’t want him around while she’s painting.”
Chaz snatches his shirt and rips it from my fingers, stepping back. “What? Are you kidding—”
The woman grasps his shoulder. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry for his behavior. I’ll discuss it with him.” She turns to Chaz and says, “Go finish unpacking the shipment and take out the trash. After that, you can clock out for lunch.”
Chaz throws down his apron. “Yes, Ms. Sandy. See you in class, Dickasso. If Daddy even lets you go. Possessive ass.”
I growl under my breath again, not backing down from his scowl.
