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“Because I’m busy and he’s like some rich guy that can have anyone he wants.”
No way would I confess I thought Esteban was extremely handsome and made me nervous just by the look in his eyes. I could just ignore his call and hopefully he would forget about me.
“He’s friends with Gerald and Remington, so I think he’s a good man,” Sanya rambled, moving her empty plate out of the way.
“Have you two figured out what book you are reading next?”
“Trying to change the subject.” Sanya winked, and Raya giggled at me rolling my eyes.
My fingers gripped the cold glass of water. I gulped down the last drop and then finished my food. “Nothing about my love life needs to change.”
“What love life?” Sanya quizzed.
Glaring at her, I ignored her question. “He did ask me out on a date,” I mumbled under my breath.
“A date,” Raya teased, rubbing her hands together. Sanya grinned and folded her arms across her chest.
“I did not accept.”
The girls shrieked in confusion. “He’s single, right?” Sanya pondered, to my annoyance.
“Yes.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
I shook my head. “Just tired of being disappointed.”
“Honey, you have to go through some frogs before you get your prince,” Raya reminded me, removing money from her wallet to split the check. All three of us stood and hugged goodbye, going in different directions for the rest of the night.
Avoiding Esteban for the past week worked out great for a little while. A few times he called me and texted. I basically played it off because of how busy work had been for me. Some people thought working in a bookstore was easy, but it could be time consuming on top of being the best job I have ever had. Saturday finally rolled around, and the girls were meeting me at our favorite coffee shop to talk about plans for our next book club reading. Walking up to the register, my favorite barista, Jonathan, stood at the counter. He picked up the sharpie and cup to write down my drink order. For the past year, if I wasn't with Sanya, the shop had become my second favorite place to hang out. It helped that it was between my place and the bookstore.
“How are you, Emersyn? Long time, no see,” Jonathan emphasized, smiling at me.
“Hi, Johnathan. I know! I’m so sorry, but today I’m finally able to run errands and hang out with the girls.”
Jonathan slid the cup over to the bar. “You know we missed you around here.”
I reached into my purse to grab my wallet, but I tensed when a hand wrapped around my wrist. “On me. Let me get a large black coffee, one sugar.”
Esteban reached around my waist with his chest to my back and dropped a twenty-dollar bill on the counter. Jonathan glanced between me and Esteban. I hesitated before turning toward Esteban with a hard glare.
“I can pay for my own drink.”
“Why? When I’m around, you pay for nothing.”
Planting my hands on my hips, I scoffed at his cocky demeanor. “You are not my boyfriend.”
His top lip curved, and he smirked as he bit down on his bottom lip and stared at me.
“Uh, Emersyn, do you know this guy?” Jonathan called out.
A flash of a frown on his face disappeared after a second, and I wondered why Esteban would be mad at Jonathan.
“She’s of no concern to you.” Esteban cupped my elbow and pulled me over to the side.
I snatched away from him. “What are you doing?”
“Taking care of my girl.”
