Lovin' on You

by Fabiola Francisco

  One of my favorite things to do is watch the people that come and spend a lengthy amount of time here. At first I wanted to focus just on sweets, but after a large demand from those people that spend numerous hours here, we added a simple lunch menu–sandwiches, chips, fresh juice, and salads. They’re also premade each day and ready for customers to grab.

  I grab two mugs and prepare coffee for Beth and me. We’ll be opening in a couple hours and I need to make sure everything is set to go for the morning crowd. I usually stay in the kitchen throughout the morning and continue to prep food while the rest of the staff is out in the front tending to customers. With the University of Alabama near, my small staff consists mostly of college students that work part-time. It works out well when it comes to shifts.

  “Here you go.” I place the mug in front of Beth.

  “Thanks! I need major caffeine today.” She stops what she’s doing a moment to take a sip of coffee.

  I laugh, “Late night?”

  “Yes. I went on a date with that guy I told you about the other day.”

  “Really?” I look at her with curiosity, my eyebrow cocked.

  “Yes, really. I’m giving him a chance. I know, I know. I told you I wasn’t sure about him, but I figured sometimes first dates don’t go as smooth as you hope. This date was better, but he’s just kinda bland, you know?”

  I chuckle and shake my head. “Maybe he saves his spiciness for the bedroom.”

  “I don’t know. His kissing isn’t all that great either.” My body shakes with laughter.

  “I’m guessing there won’t be a third date?”

  “Ugh! Yes. I felt trapped when he asked. He had just kissed me and looked pleased by it. I figured after this date, I can let him down.” She scrunches her nose.

  We continue to talk as we finish off the muffins, sweet puffed pastries, and donuts. Once we open, I’ll work on the cupcakes and pies. Those usually don’t sell until mid-morning.

  At seven-thirty a.m., the morning shift walks in ready to open and begin work. I stay in the back, occasionally checking in to see how everything is out front and greeting some of our regular customers. Most days I leave work by two p.m., so I need to make sure everything is done by that time. Since I prepare new food every morning, I don’t make too much of each. I know the popular choices, and stick to making more quantity of those. Beth is entrusted in closing up shop at six p.m.

  My phone rings as I walk into my house. Fumbling to answer it and open the door, I see Emily’s name across my screen.

  “If you’re calling to harass me about the online dating thing, I haven’t checked my account yet. I’ll get to it in a bit.”

  “Nervous much?” She knows me too well.

  “Yes!” I state the obvious. “I’ll start up my laptop now and check. I doubt I’ll even have any messages.”

  “Puh-lease! You so will. Did you look through the guys’ pictures? Are there lots of hotties?”

  “I didn’t have time to check. I was planning on doing that now.”

  “Excuses, excuses,” she giggles, knowing how much I don’t want to do this. “Remember, a deal is a deal. You need to give it time. You have to be up there at least six months.” I sigh and curse under my breath.

  I drop my bag on the kitchen counter and grab my laptop from my room. “Booting up my computer. Do you want to stay on the phone so I can give you a play by play of what I see?” I mock.

  “Hell yeah I’m staying on the phone with you! I wish I was closer so I could come over.” Emily moved a year ago when she got recruited to work for a law firm in Atlanta. She couldn’t pass it up. I miss having her around but she’s been doing great in her career and life.

  “Fine. Logging in now.”

  “Okay, you don’t need to give me such detailed play by play. I want to hear the good stuff. How many guys are actually worth giving a try?”

  “Looking now, I have a list of potential matches. Hmm…”

  “Is that ‘hmm’ a good thing or not? I need to see!”

  “They’re okay. Some are better than others. I’m not going to contact them though. Let them message me. I’d die of embarrassment if I write to them and they don’t respond.”

  “Why? It’s not like they know you. Besides, I don’t see why they wouldn’t.” Half listening to Emily talk, I notice a notification by the message symbol and click on it.

  As I skim through it, I burst out laughing. “What the hell are you laughing at?”

  “Oh my god! Oh my god! You need to read this shit.” I try to speak between gasps of air and laughs.

  “What is it?” Em sounds irritated I’m not sharing.

  “Give me a sec.” I try to stop laughing and catch my breath. Trying to read the message to her, I can’t get passed the “Hello” before I start laughing again.

  “Really? You need to stop laughing so you can read it through.”

  “Okay.” Inhale, exhale. “Ready?”

  “Duh!”

  I read it aloud so Emily can hear it, too.

  Subject: Perfect Match

  From: Steve506

  Hi Savannah,

  I’m Steve. I came across ur profile and my heart tingled. Think we’re a perfect match. I’m thinking love at first sight. Did u feel it too?

  “Delete. I can’t even finish reading that message.” Emily is laughing on the other end of the line.

  “Sorry babes. That’s just one message, though. Anything else?” I scroll down and see another message.

  “Yeah. One more.”

  Subject: Hit me up

  From: GaryH

  Savannah! What’s up, cutie?! You look fine, so I thought I’d write to you. I’m not looking to commit, but I thought we could have some fun. ;)

  “Okay. I’m done. Seriously Em?! This is what you made me commit to? I didn’t think guys like this really existed.”

  Laughing hysterically, Emily says, “Oh my god! I didn’t either! Sorry, Sav. You know…this is just the first day. I’m sure you’ll get some creepers along the way,” she gasps for air, “but you’ll meet someone. Maybe you can take up that second guy on his offer in the meanwhile.” She’s laughing so hard it’s difficult to understand half of what she’s saying.

  “Screw you.” I laugh with her. “This is horrible! I can’t believe people actually put themselves through this. We made this deal, but it’s not like I’m that desperate to meet someone.”

  “I know. These are just some assholes. Don’t you dare back out now!” she warns. “Look through the list of matches carefully and see if there are any guys worth contacting.” Her curiosity is contagious. I have to admit that I’m somewhat curious, too. I begin scrolling through the list of guys, stopping at the ones that are my type. God, is this what other people do as well. Keep scrolling through. I can’t help but wonder how many guys passed through my page and discarded me as an option.

  “There are a few cute guys on here. I’ll look through their profiles I guess, but I’m not going to contact them first.”

  “I want to see! Send me their pictures! You know you could send them a message if you’re really interested just introducing yourself. No need to be creepy like those two guys,” she giggles.

  After hanging up with Emily, I send her screen shots of the guys I think are cute and she insists on me sending messages to them. I refuse. I need to take this one day at a time. Right now, I’m tired. I’ve been up since four-thirty and I want to relax with a glass of wine and not think.

  I fall asleep hoping a decent guy will approach me on this site. Online dating is supposed to have fewer barriers than real life dating, maybe that’s why guys are so brutally honest and forward.

  I want to thank all of my readers and the friends I have made throughout this journey. Thank you for taking the time to read my books and love my characters as much as I do. It’s not always easy handing off your babies to the world.

  To all the readers who picked up this book, thank you for reading Lovin’ on You. I hope you
enjoyed Cash and Olivia’s story!

  Of course, my parents and brother, who continue to encourage me as I write more stories. My dad, who makes me buy him a paperback and sign it each time a new book is released so he can take it back to Spain and show-off that his daughter is a published author.

  I have met so many fabulous people in this book world that have become more than just “colleagues,” they have become friends. Thank you to all of my author pals for always being there for me. We are all in this together, and I love that we can support one another unconditionally.

  Veronica, you’re the first person who ever hears about my books and the one who is there ready to read and offer feedback. Thank you for being the best soul sister.

  Rachel Blaufeld and Christy Pastore—my girls. Thank you! You ladies are always there at any time of the day. Beyond peers in this book world, we have formed a friendship. I‘d say you’re my ride or die bitches, but you’re my soapy thighs bitches through and through. #soapythighsforlife

  Heidi—Thank you for all your advice and guidance. For making sure I get out of my comfort zone and push my limits. You are amazing.

  Kelly, I am so glad we have gotten to know each other better. Thank you for being such a great beta and offering your amazing feedback. So glad you get my country music soul.

  Robin Bateman, I am so glad we met! Thank you for taking the time to edit this story and offer such great advice. You truly helped shape this story. I expect a pajama sangria party soon!

  Thank you Kari Ayasha from Cover to Cover Book Designs for your beautiful designs. Always. You have a way with colors and images that create stunning covers.

  I can’t go without thanking Tami from Integrity Formatting for making sure the inside of my books look just as gorgeous as the outside. You always create internal masterpieces. Thank you!

  Thank you to all the bloggers who are always there to support me and all other authors. You are rock stars in the book world and so appreciated. This is a great community of people, and I love that we can all come together to share our love for reading. We have formed friendships throughout these last two years, and I’m so very grateful. Your hard work does not go unnoticed.

  I love meeting new readers and connecting with other bookies. Please connect with me on my social media pages.

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  Join my Facebook group, Fabiola’s Fab Reads, for exclusive content and to chat with other book lovers.

  I love hearing from my readers. You can email me directly at authorfabiola@yahoo.com.

  Fabiola Francisco is a contemporary romance author from South Florida. Writing as been a part of her life since she was a teenager. Even at that age, she dreamed of happy endings with emotional twists. Her novels include Perfectly Imperfect, The Restoring Series, Sweet on You Duet, and Red Lights, Black Hearts.

  Her passion for books and writing has inspired her to write her own stories. She writes novels readers could relate to and grow with. She’s currently working on writing more stories that connect with readers on a deeper.

  Fabiola also loves expressing herself through art and spending time in nature. In her spare time, she loves to cuddle with a good book and a glass of wine.