Red Red Rose

by Stephanie Hoffman McManus

  “So, are you selling popcorn for this show, or should I just pull up a seat like everyone else?” Will’s voice cut in. Spencer straightened and turned on Will in his full height. The look on his face told me what I had suspected at dinner. He didn’t like Will. I made a mental note to bring it up with him at another time. I didn’t do possessive, jealousy bullshit.

  “It’s only fair that you have to watch my show, when I had to hear about yours,” I threw back. With raised eyebrows and a hint of amusement on his lips, he eyed Cassie, who at least had the decency to blush.

  “I’m going to get back to work now.”

  Will’s amusement rang out as she scurried into the kitchen. I narrowed my eyes on him. He raised his hands up in a show of surrender. “What did I do now?”

  I needed to have a few words with him, but not in front of Reggie and Spencer. Reggie took the hint without me actually having to give one and he grabbed a rag and headed to the floor to wipe down tables. That left me with Spencer who was still eyeing Will uncertainly. Will seemed to be oblivious, or was just choosing to ignore Spencer’s presence.

  “Are you on break, or done for the day?” I asked him.

  “I had three clients this morning, now I’m off.”

  “Then go grab a seat and I’ll be over there in a minute with one of your smoothies.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “And you,” I addressed Spencer.

  He finally tore his eyes from Will and brought his gaze back around to me.

  “So, where were we? Tomorrow night, my choice. You can pick me up at my place at six,” I informed him.

  “And where will we be going?”

  I let the corners of my mouth quirk up a bit. “You’ll just have to wait and find out.”

  The dark look he’d fixed on Will finally smoothed into the easy smile that did funny things to my stomach. “I look forward to it.”

  I bit my lip to keep from breaking into a wider grin and then spun around to hide my face while I grabbed a cup and filled it with coffee for him. By the time I turned to hand it to him, I’d tamped down the thrill that was rocketing through me and relaxed my features. Cool as a cucumber on the outside, going bananas on the inside. That was me.

  I handed it over the counter, allowing just a bit of flirty to slip into my features. At least that’s what I was going for. I rang up his coffee and then scribbled out my cell phone number and address on the back of his receipt before handing it over. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow.” With a tilt of his chin he was off.

  Once he was out of the shop and out of sight, I swung my gaze around until it landed on Will. He was watching me with a look similar to the one Spencer wore when he’d been studying him. I blew out a breath and then went to work on his smoothie, before letting Reggie know I was taking a short break.

  With the smoothie in hand, I joined Will at his table, dropping into the seat across from him and sliding the peace offering across the table to him. “You might as well just get it over with, I know you want to say something,” I gave him his opening before I started in on what I wanted to discuss.

  “Making out with him in the shop? After one night? Yeah, definitely looks like you’re being careful and not diving head first into another disaster of Nathan proportions. Come on, Nor, tell me you’re not really that naïve.”

  My eyebrows shot up. “Naïve?”

  His harsh expression held firm.

  “You know what, who I choose to spend time with really isn’t your business.”

  “I’ll remember that when you show up at work crying again like you did with Nathan. Not my business. Or what about if you turn up missing? Will it be my business then?” The words dripped bitterly from his tongue.

  I winced. I couldn’t help it. “That was low Will.”

  He expelled a heavy breath from his chest and dragged a hand back through his hair. “I know, I’m sorry. I’m just trying to make a point. I don’t think you should trust the guy after one date.”

  “He’s not going to hurt me.” It came out sounding so sure, but was I really that confident, or was it the kiss talking? I softened. “Look, the kiss got out of hand, but I promise I’m being careful with him. I’m not diving head first into anything. I’m just dipping my toes.”

  “And your tongue,” he smirked, but teasing Will was better than angry Will.

  “Should I be giving Cassie this same speech? Because I think she did a lot more than just kiss you when you took her home last night.”

  I watched the muscles in his jaw tighten. He was biting back another retort. It was obvious we weren’t going to agree. Then the shop phone rang and I waited to see if Reggie was going to need me to take it, but after a few minutes of speaking to someone, he hung up and walked over.

  “Bad news. Nina’s sick and can’t come in to close tonight. Do you want me to call Carlie or Mitch?”

  “Try Carlie first.” Lately, Mitch could hardly be counted on to show up to his own shifts on time and I was running low on grace with him.

  A few minutes later he came back, his face grim. “Carlie’s a no go, and I couldn’t get Mitch.”

  Damn. This was why I needed to hire someone. I was going to have to get serious about reviewing the applications that had been turned in.

  “I’m guessing you don’t feel like pulling a thirteen hour day?” I asked hopefully, but knowing better.

  “You know I would usually help out in a pinch, but it’s the first night Rob has had off in two weeks that we could spend together. I promised him dinner. I really don’t want to cancel.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have to.”

  Cass walked over. “What’s up?”

  “Nina called in and no one can cover for her.”

  “Oh, I totally would, but I have a paper due at midnight and I haven’t even started on it. It’s going to be a bitch to get it to my professor on time as it is.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Reggie, keep trying Mitch, and if we don’t get him, I’ll just close on my own tonight. I’ve done it before, I can handle one night on my own.”

  Reggie looked up just before I heard the door open. “Looks like I won’t need to call him.”

  When I turned, Mitch was coming in. He spotted all of us congregated around Will’s table and walked over. “Hey, I was driving when you called. On my way here to pick-up my check, but what did you need?”

  “Any chance you can fill in for Nina tonight?” I asked.

  “Sorry, I’m doing a ride-along with the department. I’ve got to head over to the station after I make a couple more stops. If it comes down to me and one other guy, I want to be the one they pick, ya know? And the ride-alongs will help.”

  “No, of course. We’ll figure it out. Your check is in the back.” I’d dropped them in their locker cubbies this morning.

  “You need to hire someone else,” was Will’s first comment when Mitch walked away.

  “I know. But tonight it will be fine.”

  “If it helps, I can stay an hour late tonight,” Reggie offered. I took him up on it and then he and Cassie went to help the group that came in the door. I sat back in my seat, dreading the long night. I didn’t know whether I was hoping it would be busy so that time would go by, or that it would be slow since I was going to be flying solo. Will was watching me closely, a slight pinch of concern between his brow.

  “What?”

  “I guess it makes sense, why you’re so anxious to go out with that guy. It’s obvious you’ve been working too hard and you’re under too much stress.”

  “It’s not just that. I like him, and after Nathan, that’s refreshing. I was pretty sure I was going to swear off men for a year.”

  “I get that, but Nathan and you happened pretty fast too. Maybe just take it slower this time around. You deserved better than Nathan, and I don’t want to see another asshole take advantage of you.”

  I let go of a little bit of the resentment I was holding onto. “Spencer’s not
Nathan, Will. Just like you’re not Nathan or any of the assholes Cassie’s gone out with in the past.”

  “I hope you’re right about him.” Will sat back. “I think I’ll hang out here tonight. Just to make sure you get closed up without any trouble.”

  “That’s not necessary. You don’t need to sit here all night.”

  “It’s not like I have anything better to do.” He grinned. “Cassie already said she’s going to be working on a paper all night.”

  Before I could argue, a dreadful clanking noise resounded, followed by the distinct hiss of the espresso machine. Cassie stood behind it, a panicked look on her face. When her eyes shifted up to meet mine, she took a step away from the machine, throwing her hands in the air. “I didn’t do it.”

  Just what I needed to deal with; a temperamental espresso machine when there were people waiting for their coffee. I stood and walked over, staring the machine down, making sure it understood who was in charge before I started messing with it. Mitch emerged from the back and took one look at my aggressive stance and the glare I was directing at the machine and then gave me a supportive pat on the back.

  “Good luck with that.” Then he bailed.

  Reggie and Cassie were both staying as far from the machine as they could get, leaving me to it. It took me a good ten minutes to get it sorted, and if this was any indication how the rest of the night was going to go, I was not looking forward to it.

  Thirteen

  I’d only just sat back down with Will and started to tell him he didn’t need to stay, when a woman at the back of the small line that had formed while I was having the power struggle with the insolent espresso machine, started raising her voice in complaint about her wait. Cassie and Reggie were working double time to get through the line. They were managing fine, but the impatient customer was not satisfied with how quickly they were getting the drinks out. She continued to grumble, growing louder, and I wanted to slam my head against the table. Instead, I joined Reggie and Cass behind the counter, taking orders and prepping and marking cups while they made the drinks. The woman at the back of the line was appeased when I didn’t charge her for hers.

  I was almost afraid to go sit back down, for fear of what might happen next, but risked disaster and once again tried to persuade Will that I didn’t require his bodyguard services. It was futile though. He was insistent.

  Will’s eyes lifted to something behind me and then someone’s hand on my shoulder had me craning my neck around. Danny was there. Right there. His face in mine, just a little too close for my personal space bubble preferences.

  “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I overheard your conversation.” He’d been sitting at a table close by. “I just wanted to let you know that I was planning on sticking around until closing time tonight.” He said this as if it might be news to me, as if he didn’t almost every night of the week. “I just thought it might make your friend feel better, and his night wouldn’t have to be inconvenienced. I’d be happy to hang around and make sure you don’t have any trouble closing tonight and get to your car safely.”

  “Oh, thanks, Danny. I appreciate that.”

  His answering smile was pleased. “Of course.” He returned to his table and I turned around in time to catch Will’s eye roll.

  “Fucking hell,” he muttered under his breath. “Are you giving out discounts to every would-be stalker in town? Is that why they’re all turning up here?”

  “Stop it,” I chided. “He’s not a stalker.”

  “He’s fucking weird, Nora.”

  “You’re just being judgmental.”

  “No, I’m being practical, and that guy has a thing for you, not to mention that he looks like he could be the next un-sub on an episode of Criminal Minds.”

  It was my turn to roll my eyes.

  Cassie sauntered over, she was wrapped in her heavy coat and had her purse slung over her shoulder. I glanced up at the clock. I hadn’t realized how late it was already getting.

  “You sure you’re going to be good when Reg and I leave?”

  “Yeah, I can handle it. Go, write your paper.”

  Will’s hand shot out, hooking Cass around her waist and pulling her down into his lap. Her face split into a big grin and he rested his chin on her shoulder, speaking soft and low into her ear. “Would you tell your boss that guy is a creep?”

  She twisted her neck to give him a confused look. “Who?”

  “Danny’s not a creep,” I quietly defended him.

  “Oh,” Cassie’s face registered understanding, and then she cringed apologetically at me. “I hate to say it, but he is a little suspishy. He stares at you a lot. But if it makes you feel better, I think it’s probably more of a he-masturbates-to-fantasies-of-you kind of stare than a he-wants-to-kill-you kind of stare.”

  “Don’t you have a paper to write?”

  “I’m going, I’m going.” She stood and then dropped a quick kiss on Will’s cheek before skipping out the door.

  He wore a smug, I told you so, look. I dismissed it, standing from my chair. “I’m going to get back to work. I can’t really stop you from sitting here all night, but I still think you’re going a little over the top with this personal bodyguard routine.”

  Before Reggie took off for the evening, I spent a few minutes responding to emails in the back and sorting the small stack of applications into three piles. The pile with the most promise only had two applications, while my maybe stack was a little thicker. Sadly the absolutely not pile was thicker than both and destined for the paper shredder. I left the other two stacks on my desk so I could start making phone calls in the morning.

  Reggie left at six and I stayed busy behind the counter until it started dying down around seven. By eight, there were only a few customers remaining and no one had come in the door in almost twenty minutes. I was tempted to turn off the sign and start closing early, but didn’t bother when a car pulled up out front and a group of three college-age girls climbed from the vehicle. Just one more hour, I told myself.

  It dragged by. No one else came in after that group, and the place was deserted except for Will and Danny. At ten ‘til nine I finally called it a night.

  “Will, in the storage room, in the breaker box you’ll see the switches labeled open, can you hit those for me?” I sent him to take care of that while I started cleaning the rebellious machine and Danny packed up his workspace.

  “Hey Will, you find it?” I called toward the back. He’d been back there for a minute and the open lights were still on. “The storage room is the last door on the right, after the office. Light switch is just inside on the right and breaker is on the left wall.”

  After another minute he called back, “Got it.” The lights on the signs went out and then he reappeared.

  “Do you need me to take the trash out back?” Danny offered.

  “Don’t worry about it. I’m going to leave it for the morning. I just want to get out of here.” I started closing out the register and then took the cash back to the safe and retrieved Stella while Danny and Will waited for me. I grabbed my coat and purse and then set the alarm. Anything else could wait until morning. Both guys insisted on walking me to my car even though I was parked only half way down the block.

  “Have a good night guys,” I told them before climbing inside, wishing that it had even a little warmth to offer, but it was just as frigid as the air outside. They echoed my goodnight and I didn’t waste any time shutting myself inside and starting it up. I cranked the defrost to full blast and immediately the windows fogged up. While I waited for visibility, I pulled out my cell and checked my personal messages, and then I rang Mom.

  “Hello,” she answered right away.

  “Hey Mom, just checking in.” I felt like a high-schooler out past curfew.

  “You’re home from work already?”

  “I’m just leaving now, waiting for my car to warm up. It’s freezing here tonight.”

  “Did you guys have rain today? Be careful on the
roads, there might be black ice.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll drive careful.” I didn’t bother to tell her it hadn’t rained for a few days. It wouldn’t make a difference.

  “Is James still staying with you?”

  “Yes, he’ll be here through the weekend. He has to report back on Monday.” I wasn’t looking forward to him leaving.

  “I don’t know what I’ll do when he leaves. I just feel so much better knowing he’s there.”

  “I know, but I’ll be fine. The security system he had installed is top of the line.”

  “You should get a dog.”

  “And what would I do with a dog while I’m at work all day?”

  Her sigh came through the phone. “I don’t know, get one of those doggie doors installed that’s activated by a chip in the dog collar; then he could go in and out all day.”

  “Mom, I don’t even have a fence that would hold a dog,” I reminded her.

  “Hey Jim,” my mom hollered into the background. “You need to build Nora a fence so she can get a dog.”

  I tipped my head back against the headrest of my seat. “Mom, Dad’s not going to build me a fence.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because, I would have to have the landlord approve it and I don’t have the money for a fence, and I’m not letting Dad build one for free, and with his back he shouldn’t even be building fences anyway.”

  “You could–”

  “Mom,” I stopped her. “I’m not getting a dog right now.”

  “Fine,” she let out a huff. “What about a boyfriend? You need a man to move in with you.”

  “Mom,” I groaned.

  “What? You do. What about Shaw?”

  “My car is warmed up, I’m going to go now.”

  “Text me when you get home.”

  “I will. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight. I love you, sweetheart.”

  “Love you too, Mom.”

  I hit the end call button and dropped the phone in the cup holder. I pulled the seatbelt strap and got it clicked, only to almost fly out of my seat with a startled scream when someone tapped on the window. Danny stood on the other side of the glass, looking contrite as my heart, which I swear had burst through my damn ribcage, returned to my chest and started beating again. I set my hand on my chest and sucked in a deep breath before rolling down the window.