Chapter Thirty-Seven
Juniper
I regretted it as soon as I sent it.
No, I regretted it before I sent the stupid texts, but I couldn’t stop myself.
Something about the way he spoke, or texted, it wasn’t just bossy. It was commanding and aggressive, and I was already in so deep, I was imaging how he looked, and it wasn’t good.
Not for me.
Because in my mind, I’d already made him into a version of another dominant, bossy asshole that I’d only met once two years ago.
Two long years ago.
But I remembered it like it was yesterday, and when the texting bossy asshole demanded I tell him one thing I needed, the reply just happened. What I wasn’t expecting was his response.
My work screen abandoned, I stared at my cell.
Bestie: Location. NOW .
Swiping across my screen, I edited the contact information, then I read it again.
Bossy Asshole: Location. NOW.
I wasn’t going to give this stranger my location or even tell him what state I lived in.
But reading the demand?
My eyes closed, my body tingled all over, and I exhaled slowly as I let the fantasy spread for one deep inhale.
Then I forced myself back to reality, turned off the ringer on my cell, and focused on the open chat window for work. It wasn’t until I was typing a response about a shipment that it hit me.
The blond god that’d bought my cell, the man I no longer thought of as a god after meeting a SEAL, he could be tracking my location. He could probably just use some fancy feature as the account holder, and with a few swipes know exactly where I was.
Which I should’ve thought about long before this, but stupidly hadn’t.
I’d only rationalized a dozen different excuses for why I didn’t need to worry about not paying the bill. Because worrying about it would mean that I’d have to acknowledge it, which would mean I’d have to put a stop to it. And if I did that, I wouldn’t have a phone at all because I couldn’t afford the monthly bill.
But now I was thinking about a lot worse things than not having a cell.
Every location I’d been, everywhere I usually went, every safety measure I’d used—they were now all exposed.
Dangerously exposed.
A new text came through on my cell.
Bossy Asshole: Not asking again. Location .
Crossing my arms, I shivered.
“Everything all right?”
Startled, I looked up.
Hailey set a small brown paper bag on my table. “I’m about to close up.” Her gaze briefly cut to the old man still nursing his café Cubano before her voice quieted with discretion. “If you want to use… you know.”
I glanced out at the sinking sun that hadn’t quite set yet. “It’s early.”
“I have my class tonight.”
“You take classes?” I regretted asking as soon as I spoke. I didn’t get involved with other people. I couldn’t afford to. Reena had been the one exception, and now I wasn’t so sure that it hadn’t been a giant mistake. Or bigger than my worst mistake.
“I teach a class.” Hailey glanced toward the old man as he stood. “Good night, Mr. Romerez!”
“ Qué tengas buenas noches .” With a single wave, the old man walked out.
Since I’d already opened the door and now needed a distraction anyway, I walked through it. “What kind of class?”
“Pottery.” Hailey turned off the neon Open sign and locked up the front before she glanced back at me. “You’re welcome to come. First-timers get a free pass.” She smiled shyly, and I knew she was both full of shit about the free pass and nervous about offering.
Which meant she probably rocked at pottery as much as she did making the best coffee in the world. “You actually are an artista barista.”
She laughed. “Hardly. I just like to make things.”
“And give away happiness.”
“That too.” She walked toward the hallway. “I’m grabbing some things from the stockroom.”
That was my cue.
Looking back at my computer, I noted the time and waited two minutes until I hit the five-hour mark. Then I logged out, shut down my laptop, and looked in the paper sack.
The chocolate chip pumpkin muffin.
“Oh my God,” I whispered, suddenly starving but also feeling guilty.
Grabbing my purse, I fished through it for my worn wallet before I remembered I’d already spent all my cash. Embarrassed on top of feeling guilty and freaked out, I dumped my laptop inside my purse. Then I shouldered the knock-off designer hobo bag, picked up the brown paper sack, and headed toward the hallway just as Hailey came out.
“Thank you, really.” I held up the coveted muffin. “I owe you more than I can ever repay you.”
For once, Hailey didn’t smile. “You don’t owe me. If anything, I owe you for always making sure I get to my car safely after closing.”
Emotion welled, and I was reminded once again why I needed to keep my distance from everyone… or real people. The bossy texter didn’t count. But Hailey did. I smiled wide. “Don’t think I didn’t notice what you did there. We both know who benefits more here, but I appreciate you trying to not make me feel like a complete ass—”
“Juni!” Hailey freaked out like she did every time I swore.
“Okay, fine. I won’t say a-hole if you tell me why you hate swearing, because it’s like, cathartic. And you must hear it all day long.” The bossy asshole texter certainly swore—like a sailor. An idea scratched uncomfortably at my brain.
“I just don’t like it.” Hailey’s cheeks colored.
“Ah, ah.” I pointed. “I see that blush. I think there’s more you’re not telling me. I think you’re a secret swearer. You go home and just let loose, don’t you?”
She laughed uncomfortably. “You’re ridiculous.”
“That I am.” Way more than she knew because I couldn’t stop thinking about those texts. “I’m heading to the shower. I’ll be quick.”
“Okay. I’ll finish up in front.” Hailey headed for the counter.
I went for the shower.
Twenty minutes later, my hair was blown out, I was in a clean pair of leggings, my tank top was tight across my chest, I’d put on makeup, and my cell ringer was back on because I was stupid.
My actions were stupid.
Hailey glanced up from her phone as I came out of the hallway. “You look nice. Going somewhere fun tonight?”
“Nope.” Maybe.
“Well, you still look nice.” She hit the last of the lights and held the door open.
“Thanks. So do you.” I stepped out into the muggy night.
Hailey laughed. “You’re a terrible liar.”
“Your hair looks awesome.” It always did.
“Neon Dragonfruit.” She locked the door.
“What?” I looked across the parking lot.
“The shade is called Neon Dragonfruit.”
“I like it.” I wondered for the hundredth time what the asshole texter looked like. “You should keep this color for a while.”
“It’s semipermanent.”
My life was semipermanent. “Have fun at class. Make sure you get good and dirty.”
Hailey shook her head as she half smiled. “See you tomorrow?”
“You know it.” If I didn’t get tracked down and stabbed while I slept in my Jeep.