Chapter 4
Marley
I stood behind the counter, taking orders while Olivia made the coffee drinks, and Penelope was in the back interviewing someone. The place was hopping, and I saw him when I looked up to see how long the line was. My heart started racing at an uncontrollable speed.
When it was his turn, he and another man approached the counter.
“Well, if it isn’t my seatmate.” A smirk crossed his lips.
“Let me guess. A medium Americano with an extra shot.” I smiled.
“You remembered.”
“I have a good memory. And what can I get for you?” I asked his friend.
“Same as him.”
“You didn’t tell me you were a barista.”
“That’s because you told me to stop talking to you.” I smirked. “Besides, you never told me your name.”
“It’s Charlie.” His friend grinned.
“Charlie.” I picked up a Sharpie with a smile and wrote his name on the cup.
“And you are?”
“Chase, his best friend.”
“Chase.” I wrote his name on the cup.
Charlie pulled some cash from his wallet and handed it to me.
“Thank you. Your coffees will be up right over there. Have a great day!” I brightly grinned.
“You too.” His eye slightly narrowed at me as the corners of his mouth lifted.
As soon as their coffees were made, they took them to a table and sat down.
“I saw you flirting with that one in the dark suit. He’s delicious looking.” Olivia smiled.
“That’s the man I met at the airport.”
“Oh? The sexy but arrogant one?”
“Yep.” I popped my lips.
“Arrogant or not, I’d totally hit that.” She grinned.
“He thinks I work here.” I glanced at her.
“Did you tell him you don’t and are only filling in?”
“Nah. Why bother? Since the rush is over, I need to leave. You don’t mind, right? I have to get to the florist and order the floral arrangements for the party.”
“Go ahead.”
“Great news!” Penelope walked from the back. “Myron, I’d like you to meet my business partner, Olivia, and our best friend/sister, Marley. Girls, meet our new barista.”
After saying hi, I grabbed my purse and walked over to where Charlie and Chase sat.
“It was nice to see both of you. My shift ended, and I’m leaving.”
Charlie glanced at his watch. “It’s only noon. How is your shift over already?”
“Short shift. Bye.” I smiled, turned around, and walked out the door.
One Week Later
“Hi, Myron. How do you like working here so far?” I asked as I walked into the coffee shop.
“I love it. It’s the perfect part-time job while I’m in college.” He smiled.
“And we love having him here.” Penelope hooked her arm around him.
“Are you going to tell her?” Olivia looked at Penelope.
“Tell me what?” I cocked my head.
“That guy you met at the Chicago airport was in here this morning,” Penelope said.
“He wanted to know if you were working.” Olivia smiled.
“He asked that?”
“His exact words were, ‘Is Marley, the barista, working today?’” Penelope spoke in a manly voice.
“We told him that it was your day off. He looked disappointed,” Olivia said.
“Day off? I don’t even work here.” I laughed.
“So what?” Olivia shrugged. “I think he wants to ask you out. Next time he comes in, we’ll give him your phone number.”
“Don’t you dare. I’m on a sex/dating hiatus.” I pointed at them.
“Since when?” Penelope’s brows furrowed.
“Since that asshole in Chicago.”
“Oh my God, I forgot to tell you girls. My cousin invited us to a party tonight. Her boss is throwing it. I guess he just moved into some fancy-ass penthouse and is having a housewarming party,” Penelope said.
“Where is her boss’s penthouse?” I asked.
“133 East 73rd Street.”
“That’s right by where we live,” I said.
“Exactly. We could walk. Say you’ll come. It’ll be fun. I’ve never been to a penthouse party before,” Penelope begged.
“You know I’m in.” Olivia grinned.
“I guess I’ll go.” I smiled. “But I can’t stay late. I have to be up early tomorrow morning and make sure everything is ready and set for the Lake’s party on Sunday.”
“Which one?” I asked my girls, holding up two short black dresses.
“That one.” They both pointed to the left.
My phone rang. Walking back to my bedroom, I grabbed it from the bed and saw my mother was calling.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Why haven’t I heard from you?” she asked.
“I’ve been swamped planning an extravagant party for a five-year-old, Mom.”
“It doesn’t matter, Marley. You should make time to call your mother. I’m cooking dinner Sunday and would like you to join us.”
“I can’t. I’m working all day.”
“On a Sunday?” she asked with irritation.
“Yes, Mom. The party I’ve been planning for months is on Sunday. We’ll have to do dinner another time.”
“I haven’t seen you in almost two months. And the last time I was in the city, you weren’t answering your phone and nowhere to be found.”
“I told you I was working that day. Mom, I have to go. I’m getting ready to go out.”
“We’ll set something up for next week. Have fun tonight.”
Sighing, I threw my phone on the bed and slipped into my short black fitted dress.
“You can’t avoid her forever, Mar,” Penelope said, standing in the doorway, holding a bottle of whiskey.
“I’m not avoiding her.”
“You are. Can I borrow those cute hoop earrings you have?” Olivia asked, walking over to my jewelry box.
“Sure. And I am not avoiding her. I think once every three months or so is enough visiting time.”
“At some point, you have to forgive her and your dad,” Penelope said.
“No, she doesn’t. If my parents did what they did, I’m not sure I’d ever forgive them.” Olivia placed the earrings in her ears.
I grabbed my black heels from the closet. As I walked past Penelope, I grabbed the whiskey from her hand and brought the bottle to my lips, taking a large sip.
“Come on, my sisters. Let’s go to this penthouse party and have some fun.” I grinned.