Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 59701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
“Why are you here? Gretchen doesn’t get off work for another hour.”
“I can just hang out here and wait for her. It’s a free country.”
“It’s my business, and I can ask you to leave. You won’t leave her alone and let her work,” Aspen replies. “If you won’t go, I’ll call the police.”
“For what?” he asks, pushing his nose close to Aspen’s.
I want to beat the shite out of this wanker, but David shakes his head and steps forward.
“Trespassing,” David says as he approaches the man. “She asked you to leave.”
“Jesus, this is so fucking stupid. I just want to be with my girlfriend.”
“Do you want to go with him?” Aspen asks Gretchen. “However, if you go, you won’t be allowed back, Gretch.”
“I’m staying,” Gretchen says, despite the shit coming out of this arsehole’s mouth in response. “I need the job, especially because Miles won’t work. Miles, just go home. I’ll see you a little later. I’m at work.”
“Yeah, so you say,” he sneers. “Yesterday, you came home late.”
“I went to the grocery store.”
“Or you met up with someone for a quick fuck,” he says.
“Enough,” David says. “Go.”
Miles turns and slams out the door.
“I’m so sorry, Aspen,” Gretchen says. “I told him to go home, but he just won’t listen to me when he gets in these moods.”
“He’s not welcome back here,” Aspen says. “Ever. If he drops you off or picks you up, he waits outside. If he steps foot in here again, I’m calling the police. He’s disruptive, rude, and makes a scene every single time, Gretchen.”
“I know,” Gretchen says. “I’m sorry.”
“He can’t be worth all of this,” I say.
Gretchen’s eyes don’t meet mine. “He’ll calm down and be fine.”
“Gretchen,” Aspen says, but Gretchen interrupts her.
“I said I was sorry. I have work to do.”
She stomps away, and Aspen sighs as she turns to me. “It’s been a day already, and I’m only halfway in.”
“Anything I can do?”
“Are those for me?”
I remember the roses in my hand and smile as I pass them to her. “Of course, they are.”
“Well, these help a lot. Thank you. What are you two up to?”
“Just bringing you flowers,” I reply, deciding on the spot to wait to discuss Fiji until after work.
“I have to go home after work today to check my mail and get some clothes and stuff,” she says.
“Do you mind if I meet you there?”
“I don’t mind at all. I should be home by two.”
“I’ll see you soon, then.”
“Thanks again for the flowers.”
“You’re welcome.”
David and I leave the café. On our way to the car, I say, “We need a background check on that Miles arsehole.”
“Already on my list of things to do,” he replies.
“Today. I want to know what he ate for breakfast when you’re done.”
“Yes, sir.”
* * *
David and I pull into Aspen’s driveway just behind her. It’s a complete coincidence, but a happy one.
“Why is Monica at my house?” Aspen asks when we step out of the car, pointing to what I assume is Monica’s Lexus SUV.
“Your guess is as good as mine, love.”
David follows us up the steps, and when we walk into the house, it’s quiet.
“Where is she?” Aspen wonders, looking around the empty living room and kitchen.
“She does need this.”
“Bedroom,” I say as Aspen makes a beeline for her boudoir. When we arrive, not only is Monica there, but Natasha, as well. There’s a suitcase open on the bed, and clothes piled around it.
“What’s going on?” Aspen asks, her hands on her hips.
“Hey!” Natasha says. “We’re just packing for you.”
“Packing for me for what?”
Monica turns to me. “You didn’t tell her?”
“Tell me what?”
“Let’s go out here and talk, shall we?” I lead Aspen to the living room. David discreetly leaves through the door to wait in the car.
Smart man.
“Where am I going, Callum?” Aspen asks as she rounds on me. “And let me guess, this is another surprise?”
“I had no idea they were going to take my request of help quite this far,” I reply and rub my hand over my face. “I didn’t intend for this to be a surprise at all. I bought the vacation to Fiji weeks ago, as you well know.”
Her eyes narrow, and I keep talking.
“Now that you’re fully staffed at the café, I thought it was a good time for our holiday. Monica assured me that if Gretchen needs anything while you’re gone, she or Natasha can step in to help. I just asked them for advice, and they ran with it. I didn’t ask them to pack your suitcase.”
“She’s not going to wear many clothes,” we hear Natasha say loudly. “They’re just going to have sex the whole time. Why does she need such a big bag?”
“Because, you nitwit, they’re going to go out to dinner and stuff. You’re the only one who thinks about sex twenty-four-seven.”