Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 35957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“I know, and maybe I’ll change footwear, but for now, I’ll stick with what I already have in my closet.” I pick up the food, placing the turkey on rye in my lap with the wrapper, and attack my soup. Crew may keep his suit jacket on to keep up a business appearance, but the cardigan I’m wearing is because of how cold this building and his office seem to constantly be.
“Yeah, excuse me for a minute.” He pops out of his seat when the ringing of his cell phone interrupts our conversation, it’s more than likely for the better. You know, before I make a bigger fool out of myself. It’s clear I’m out of the game when it comes to flirting. Which means this weekend, I either need to talk to Talia or somehow leave this where it lies. What a conundrum, especially since Crew has been my spank bank material since I crashed into of him. At least I haven’t done that yet.
5
CREW
“He’s got it bad. Fuck, so do you by the look on your face.” Luke greets me at the new café that opened up across the street from LITHE. Anthony, his partner at the obstetrician and gynecology office, is sitting in a chair beside him. We’re outside, waiting for Luke’s woman, Shae, to finish with a yoga class before we go over the plans she’d like to change for her studio.
“Fuck off.” I take my seat, still in the workout clothes from this morning. The self-imposed rules I’ve set are like a stone-age wall, slowly crumpling, and after yesterday, when I was in an office with only Serena… Shit, it's only getting worse, and I see no sign of it getting better. That’s why, instead of taking my hand to my cock this morning for the millionth fucking time, I hit the gym, did cardio, lifted weights, sat in a sauna, and I’m still on edge. Knee bouncing, ready to hit Jude up for a cigarette or have a stiff drinking too damn early in the morning.
“Coralynn, I take it?” I ask Anthony. His eyes are locked across the street, where he’s more or less watching the shadows of people in a glass. The smoke effect doesn’t give anyone the view he’s after, and the only window, so to speak, is the two main doors. Even then, there’s only a strip above and below to carry the elements through to look cohesive.
“Am I that transparent?” Anthony finally looks away.
“Man, you have no idea. Hell, we’re all that way. Just ask Crew. He’s got a woman at work who has his dick in knots.” The problem with having a big friend group is that once one knows, they all know. It’s like a game of telephone, and the story changes with every phone call they make.
“And Shae doesn’t you.” I take the menu off the table, not remotely hungry, but I’m not going to take a seat at a table that a waitress can’t make money at. That’s rude as shit.
“That she does, but falling asleep and waking up to my woman, I’m damn glad I didn’t let something like a little handbook or made-up bullshit keep me away. You’ll learn that. Hell, you both will.” I find something to order just as a waiter approaches our table.
“Welcome to The Cozy Oak. I’m Atlas, and I’ll be taking care of you today. Can I start you off with something to drink?”
“I’ll take the cinnamon roll iced coffee and black coffee,” Luke goes first.
“Coffee as well. I’ll take cream, though.” Anthony crosses his arms over his chest.
“He’ll also get the iced matcha with lavender,” Luke helps the man out.
“I’ll take a coffee as well, thank you.”
“You got it. I’ll be right back with your drinks and can take your order or wait for the rest of your party.” Atlas is at the top of his game, unlike Anthony. I even had the forethought to ask Todd about Serena’s favorites for lunch yesterday. The guy sitting next to me is the reason our lunch was interrupted and why I’m working on a weekend.
“You know something I don’t?” Anthony says once the coast is clear.
“Yeah, Coralynn is a partner with my woman. They’re expanding LITHE. Shae wants to go up since the building is technically two stories. The upstairs would be Cora’s dance studio, the downstairs would be yoga and the kid area, and that would leave one more room, if all goes well, to bring in ballet.” When Luke called yesterday, I relayed the message about Serena working with me and this being a good project for her to step into if he didn’t mind. He said he’d talk to Shae and get back to me. It came as no surprise to me that Shae said yes. The downfall of a meeting on a Saturday is that Serena isn’t here for the first meeting.