AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Lainey the lifesaver, it has a nice ring to it,” Carter teases. And I can’t help but blush as I make her coffees. I grab one of the holders and pop all four coffees in.
“Wait, how’d you guess my coffee order?” she says, looking down at the drinks.
“I made the house special, it’s a cinnamon almond blend. I’ve never had anyone not love it,” I say proudly. I like being able to guess coffee orders and help make someone’s day just a little bit better with a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll.
“Mmm, thisisdelicious,” Carter says as she takes a hearty sip.
“I also packed four cinnamon rolls and, just in case Leanne and Aaron are there, I packed two chocolate chip cookies, on the house.” I smile and hand her the bag with all the goodies.
“How much is everything?” Carter asks and I ring her up.
“Shit, that’s even cheaper than I expected, thank you so much, Lainey. You’ll definitely be seeing more of me in here, that’s for sure.” Carter winks and heads out the front door, leaving me wanting for something more.
“Jax, can you take over?” I need a moment in my office.
“Sure.” Jax smiles and takes over the register for me while I pass Jen and head to the back office.
What is going on with me? Did I just catch myself flirting with Carter? No, I mean I am straight. For all intents and purposes, I have never even looked at a woman like that before. Or let alone thought of a woman in a romantic way before. Why all of a sudden has Carter caught my eye? Is there something familiar and comforting about her? Yes, sure, of course there is. But that doesn’t mean Ilikeher, does it?
Carter is beautiful, I mean something about that dyed red hair did something to me and the chuckle she did left a lasting impression. But that doesn’t mean I am suddenly into women, does it? No, I know sexuality is fluid but being only with men my entire life has to mean something. Besides, why am I getting myself all worked up over some harmless work flirting. It is clear it didn’t mean anything, or she would have at least asked me out.
I decide to bury myself in the office of paperwork I’m usually putting off. I need something to distract myself from the impending thoughts of a woman I know nothing about. So I fill out forms and bills and busy myself with the task of cleaning off my desk until suddenly Jen is knocking on my door, telling me it’s time to go home.
“Have I been back here all day?” My eyes widen.
“Yes, I figured you didn’t want to be disturbed,” she says with a light shrug.
“Have you ever kissed a girl?” I blurt out. My best friend laughs and then shakes her head.
“No, can’t say I have. Why are you offering?” She winks.
“No. I just was curious.”
“About if I have, or curious for yourself?”
“Both,” I admit with a blush. I know there is nothing to be ashamed of, yet there is something almost taboo about it. It feels like something I shouldn’t be curious about, but I’m sure that’s some deep down trauma I don’t want to fuck around with.
“It’s totally cool to be curious. Vaginas scare the shit out of me so I can’t say I’ve ever wanted to go that way,” Jen explains.
“Hmm.” I can’t say I’ve ever thought about them, but the thought of seeing Carter’s doesn’t immediately gross me out. But it also doesn’t necessarily turn me on, what the hell does that mean?
“Anyway, um, Jax did great today by the way,” Jen says, changing the subject.
“That’s great! No issues then?”
“Nope, they figured everything out themselves and only needed some help like twice,” she says proudly.
“Perfect.” I smile. “Are you headed home tonight?”
“I’m actually going out to grab a drink and was thinking you might want to come? Maybe get back out there? We can find you a hot new…person?” She hesitates before changing her language. That’s what I love about Jen, she is one to roll with the punches. I might be having a midlife crisis here worrying about my sexuality, and Jen just wants to get me laid.
“Thanks, but I’m okay, I think I’m just going to head home tonight.” I’m not ready to ‘get back out there’. At least I don’t think I am.
“Okay, but call me if anything changes.” She hugs me and heads out the door. Jax is already gone so I head to the front to start locking up when I notice Steve by the front door. He’s motioning for me to let him in, and I know it’s just going to be worse if I don’t. So, begrudgingly, I open the front door and let him in.
“What?” I cross my arms over my chest and stare him down.
“I just wanted to talk to you and you’re not picking up my calls anymore.” Little does he know, Jen took my phone and blocked his number. It was something I was too chicken to do but thankful that Jen had done it.
