AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Four
O’Shea
I pulled up to the Common Grounds coffee shop, putting my truck in park. The quaint shop was sandwiched between a vintage antique shop and a Christian novelty store along a strip containing other businesses. As small as this town was, it wasn’t hard to find. Every store and shop here was planted in what they called downtown, which only spanned the width of about four streets. I stepped out of my truck and strolled inside the coffee shop, inhaling the scent of coffee beans upon entering.
A barista behind the counter eyed me, a seductive grin pulling at her lips as I approached her. “Well, you’re a new face,” she purred, her country accent evident. “What can I get for you, sugar?”
“I’ll just take a black coffee,” I replied.
“You got it,” she said with a wink before pressing a few buttons on her register. “That’ll be $4.23.”
I handed her a five and look around the coffee shop. Despite the weathered bricks and shingles on the outside of the place, the inside was rather cozy. A few tables and chairs sat in warm corners, the windows along the front of the store filling the shop with natural light. Soft jazz music poured from the speakers as a low hum of conversation floated over me. There were only two couples in the coffee shop, neither of them looking as if they were waiting for anyone. She must not be here yet.
“Here you go, darling,” the barista mentioned, holding my cup out to me.
“Thank you.”
“Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you,” she said, twirling a lock of hair around her finger. I gave her a small smile and took a seat in a corner adjacent to the door. Pulling out my phone, I checked the last email I’d received from the ad poster.
Cool! I’ll see you there! I’ll be wearing an inappropriate graphic tee. You’ll know it when you see it haha!
I glanced down at my watch, seeing that it was already 12:15 p.m. There wasn’t much time left of my lunch break, so if this woman didn’t get here soon, I’d have to reschedule.
No sooner than the thought crossed my mind, the bell over the door jingled and three laughing women entered the shop. The moment I laid eyes on the dark-haired woman in the middle of them, I immediately recognized her from the repair shop. She wore a black tee that said “Go F*ck Yourself” with a middle finger underneath it and light blue skinny jeans that fit her curves perfectly. Her dark hair was pulled into a messy bun and light; natural-looking makeup adorned her face. The alien egg that once inhabited her forehead must’ve hatched, as it was no longer there anymore. Maybe it was witchcraft or makeup covering it, who knew. I chuckled to myself and took a gulp of my coffee, nearly spitting it out as it burned my tongue. This was bound to be an interesting meeting.
They ordered their coffee and took a table across the shop near a window, chatting amongst themselves. I watched them for a few moments, observing as my potential roomie pulled her phone from her pocket and typed on it before setting it back down. My phone vibrated a few seconds later, an email notification popping up on the screen.
Hey! Just got here. Sitting near the window. You should see me as soon as you walk in.
A smirk pulled at my lips as I quickly replied.
Yeah, I see you. I’m sitting across the shop actually.
I put the phone down and waited, the smirk never leaving my face. She put her cup to her lips as she checked her phone and then looked around the coffee shop until her eyes fell on me, causing her to spit her coffee.
“What the hell, Ashton?” one of her friends asked, following Ashton’s gaze. Her eyes widened as a huge grin settled on her lips. “HA! What a fucking plot twist!”
I laughed to myself and stood, making my way over to their table. “Looks like we meet again, ladies,” I started, taking a sip of coffee and looking to Ashton. “I assume you must be A?”
“You’re O?” the blonde asked.
“Yep,” I replied.
“You guys sound like blood types,” the other friend said with a giggle and looked to her friend. “Well, Ashton? Are you going to say anything?”
“This has to be a fucking joke. You can’t seriously think you’re rooming with me,” she muttered. The blonde patted the empty chair next to her.
“Here, sit,” she offered. I turned the chair around and straddled it, putting my coffee on the table. “Again, I’m Ava, that’s Alex over there, and you already know Ashton. I think my uncle said you're Oliver, right?”
“O’Shea,” I mentioned, focusing my attention to Ashton. Her luscious lips were pulled in a frown as she stared at me, her arms folded across her chest. “So I’ve been meaning to apologize about the whole deer killer situation. I’ll admit it was a bit childish and unnecessary, so I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” she muttered.
“So can we start over or are you going to keep being grouchy this whole meeting?”
“I don’t think this is a good idea. I don’t think we’d be a good fit—”
“Um, can you give us a second to talk to her really quick?” Alex interrupted. “You don’t have to leave; just turn around in your chair or something.”
