AllFreeNovel
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Drake and Stella share a look of confusion, and, seriously, I wish I could wither away. “What areyoudoing here?” Drake asks in a condescending tone.
I wish I had noticed how he spoke to me, like he was a far superior being, while we were dating. Would have been nice to notice he had a thing for my best friend too. But I didn’t, so herewe are.
Without thinking anything through, I blurt out, “I work here. What can I get for you?”
The barista has finally returned from the back and stares at me, slack-jawed. I smile at her, pleading with my eyes for her to go along with my ridiculous story.
Stella glances down at her belly, patting it with her hand. “Decaf for me. Baby doesn’t like caffeine.”
“Oh, a baby. Wow.” I’m shocked, and my voice pitches to an obscenely high octave. “I didn’t realize you were pregnant.”
Drake tilts his head. “Yeah, we’re due in a couple of weeks.”
“A couple of weeks?” I choke out. I don’t need to do the math in my head to know Drake got her pregnant while we were still together.I will not throw this mug at him.
By now, a small group has formed a line, and I can’t believe I’ve gotten myself into this predicament. But I’m not going to stop the charade. How can I?
“I don’t understand why you’re working here, February,” Stella says. “You have your own coffee shop.”
There’s a tall man standing behind Stella, and by the looks of him, he wants coffee. I ignore Stella. “Sir, can I get you some coffee?”
He steps closer and raises a brow, but Drake just won’t let it go.
“Feb, why are you working here if you own your own shop?” Drake echoes his new girlfriend. Scratch that—fiancée. Her ring nearly blinds me as she places her hand on his arm.
I’m going to be sick.
I keep blinking, trying my best to pretend I know what I’m doing. That I belong behind this counter.
The barista steps forward. “Can I help you?”
“No need, Bren.” I read her name tag. “I’ll help this customer.”
“But…” Bren’s words fall away as I step closer to the customer Drake interrupted from ordering.
He’s a strong, rugged type with a beard and muscular arms. They’re folded across his broad chest, and black ink swirls in artful designs along his huge forearms. I meet his brown eyes and see there’s something shining within their depths. Pity?
“Look, I don’t know what’s going on here,” Drake says, and then he looks at Stella. “Want to go somewhere else?”
She nods. “It was nice seeing you, Feb.”
Lies, I’m sure.
Drake leads Stella out of the shop, and I slump against the counter. I can’t believe that just happened.
“Excuse me,” the forgotten customer says.
“Oh, right.” I grab a to-go coffee cup and the sharpie sitting beside it. “What’s your name?” Might as well go all in.
“Harrison Riggs. I’m the owner of this shop, and I think I’d remember hiring you.”
Chapter 2
Harrison
“What the hell, Bren?” I don’t normally curse at my employees, but what the hell just happened?
“I went to the back to grab more milk, and when I returned she was acting like she worked here. I was just as shocked as you.”
