Hey Jude by Star Spider

Author:Star Spider
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781459826373
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Published: 2020-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The good news is that Jack texts me just as I step out the door. The bad news is he wants to go for a walk. But I’m on my way to work. He asks where I work, and I’m almost embarrassed to tell him. Java World is kind of gross, and a lot of the regulars are a little scummy. I mean, they’re nice enough, but it ain’t no Starbucks.

When I get there, my boss, Manny, is losing his shit. He’s all alone, and there is a long line of customers waiting to order. I jump right in before I even put on my Java World T-shirt. Manny looks grateful and offers me one of his weird, over-the-top salesperson smiles. We deal with the line quickly. As soon as it’s gone, he tells me he’s got to run. His wife is pissed that he’s not home because she has book club at their house, and he was supposed to take their three-year-old out for dinner and a movie. I wave him off, and he tells me I can keep all the tips for today. A whopping $5.33—I’m rich.

After the rush, things settle down and I get into a rhythm. A couple of regulars come in. Zane, an old guy who is missing all of his teeth, and Miss Pringle, who used to be a schoolteacher. Now she just teaches her cats how to fetch her things from the kitchen. I don’t really believe her claims that they can actually open the fridge and get her a pop. But hey, you never know.

I start closing up a little earlier than Manny likes. He insists that we don’t shut down until 9:00 p.m. on the dot, in case of last-minute latte orders. But I want to get out of here right at nine. I don’t feel bad about it, because I always clean everything more thoroughly than any of my coworkers do. I usually find hidden grime that Becky or Abid left behind.

The bell on the door rings when I’m in the back, elbow deep in dishwater. My heart sinks. I’m washing the espresso machine, which I have already dismantled. I hate to say no to a customer, but there is not much else I can do. Maybe I’ll get lucky and they’ll just want a tea. I dry my arms and push through the kitchen curtain to the front.

And there is Jack. Looking hot and amazing and perfect, leaning against my counter, at my shitty little job.

He grins at me. “Still want that walk?”

I nod.

“Can I get a drink?” he says, flashing a five-dollar bill at me.

“What do you want?” I ask.

“Latte?”

I start to laugh, a bit more than makes sense. I suddenly realize how exhausted I am. I sink onto the stool beside the cash. Jack raises his eyebrows, those gray eyes of his sparkling.

“What’s so funny?” he asks.

“I just shut down the machine.”

“Ah, well, I’ll just get myself a tea then, shall I?” He doesn’t wait for an answer.

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