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“I don’t like this. You two aren’t allowed to be friends. Chad, don’t you have coffee to make?”
“I think the kids are managing the kitchen just—”
“Chad,” I barked. “Coffee.”
“Is he this pushy at work? You might need to meet with Human Resources.”
Chad reluctantly stood. I could almost hear him weighing the need to make a dollar and the gossip about to be dished. He was a great guy, but I’m convinced he’d sell the coffee shop if I had a tasty enough morsel. He shot me a look before moving behind the counter.
“Chad was just telling me you have some pretty, dare I say, impressive, stories for breakfast. I have seen the wrath of your charm at the bar, but I never get to hear the aftermath. There’s a joke in there about taking the tip.”
My jaw dropped.
“Don’t pretend you maintain any semblance of purity. You’re a scoundrel, and thank God you’remyscoundrel.”
“I’ll have you know. There’s plenty that is pure about me.”
“Pure bullshit, perhaps.” She raised an eyebrow while she sipped her coffee. Scarlet would get along with the guys. Her mix of witty jabs and honesty would be well received. I was betting, with enough caffeine coursing through her veins, she’d spill a tale or two of her own.
“I’m always happy to see you, but—”
“Why are you seeing me with the sun up?”
“It’s bright enough I can see your crow’s feet.”
“You’re fired.” She let out a long sigh. “Huh. I forgot how delightful it is to terminate an employee. I wish I had done that more often.”
“You couldn’t fire me if you—“
“Read my lips, Alejandro.” Scarlet’s face no longer carried hints of joy. Her eyes hardened and I’m certain her jaw tightened. “You’re. Fired.” And as if it meant nothing, she took another sip.
“Scarlet. I… uh…” It was bad enough my employment had a doomsday clock hanging overhead. But to be fired before she sold the club? I was about to scream about the world conspiring against me. After giving her years of loyal service, how could she—
She slapped her hand down on the table, snapping me out of my downward spiral. Something clacked against the tabletop. When she pulled away her hand, she revealed a silver ring with two keys. I couldn’t imagine what she was trying to tell me. I picked them up, examining the ring as if it might be something other than the obvious.
“Thanks, I think?”
“I can’t have you working as a bartender if you’re going to take over as the general manager.”
“Oh, a promotion.” Chad slid a cup of coffee in front of me. His ability to appear for the juicy bits no longer bordered on supernatural. I was going to add him to the HeroApp™. The Gossiper, knower of all dirty secrets. “Congratulations. Coffee is on the house.” And as fast as he appeared, he zipped off toward his other patrons.
“Why bother promoting me? Can’t exactly manage a boarded-up nightclub.”
Scarlet leaned back in her chair. With a slow and steady motion, she folded a leg over her knee. It had been years since she worked as a hero, but the fluid motion made it clear she had complete mastery of her body. I bet she spent more than a couple of hours at the gym each week. Her beauty wasn’t even close to the most alluring part of her being.
“Funny you should say that.”
I leaned forward, waiting for the follow-up. She let the silence hang in the air. I couldn’t handle her theatrics. I was already a nerve rubbed raw.
“Spit it out, woman.”
“Eclipse made me an offer, a very generous one. He—“
“He’s a supervillain, by the way.”
“Oh, I know. When he first made his offer, I did some research. Once I started digging, I found he has more than a few ties to the villains in the city. After that, the union asked me to keep him occupied.”
“You were working him over?”
