Chapter 1 Jake
ONE
JAKE
“Jake, you have no idea how close I came to punching him right in his smug face. That weasel stood there in front of our boss and took credit for my cost reduction plan! Again!”
I pause in the middle of the busy sidewalk, my mouth open like a codfish.
“Shut up!” There’s a gasp to my right, and I glance at the older woman in the tweed bucket hat and matching raincoat, with her hand pressed to her chest and eyes bugging out.
“Oh, sorry!” I pat her arm. “I didn’t mean you, hon.
” I point at my earbud. “Phone call. Love the ensemble!” The woman shakes her head and walks in the other direction.
Thankfully Lee is so angry she doesn’t even notice that I had a whole-ass conversation without her.
“I’m so sorry he’s being such an asshat. What’s his name again? Mark? Mike?”
Some of the anger fades from her voice, though she doesn’t laugh like I’d hoped. “You know it’s Matt.”
“And he’s ancient. And doesn’t like small children or furry pets. And smells bad.”
This finally makes her laugh. “He’s actually just your type.”
“Excuse me?” How dare she!
Lee laughs again. “Physically, anyway. Mid-thirties, tall, almost black hair, warm hazel eyes. I’m into women and even I know he’s good looking.
Which somehow makes it even worse that he’s such a jerk.
I swear, if I see him again today I’m going to—gaaah!
I don’t know what I’m going to do. But I’m going to do it! And he’ll be sorry!”
“I believe you. And he deserves it! All of it. Whatever it turns out to be. And I will totally bail you out of jail. Or help you hide the evidence.” The scent of fresh-roasted coffee beans drifts along the air and I pick up my pace.
“I’ll bet you could use a triple venti, half-caf, soy, no foam, sugar-free vanilla latte with light whip and cinnamon sprinkles. ”
Lee groans into the phone. “Ooooh my god, Jakie, I’d kill for one of those.”
She’s the only one who gets away with calling me Jakie.
“Lucky you, I’m walking into French Press right now.
” It’s our favorite coffee place, and where we met three years ago, after I started working for the Salem Art Foundation and discovered this amazing coffee haven.
Lee walked in behind me and ordered. I complimented her on her choice of beverage, and our friendship took off from there.
“You are?” She sounds wistful.
“I am. I had to stop at Fenton Gallery and now I’m done with that, so I can bring you one.”
She fake sobs into the phone. “Unfortunately, I have another meeting in twenty minutes and I have a few things to finish before then, or I would absolutely take you up on that.”
“Aww. My poor bestie. Well, call me later. Maybe we’ll get together and drink wine and bitch about Matt some more. Or we could watch Sense8 on Netflix and remember when they had vision and a backbone.”
She laughs, and I’m happy I can make her feel better. “It’s a plan. Gotta run, though. Love you!”
“Love you too!” I make kissing sounds into the phone and press the end-call on my earbud, then collapse my umbrella and step inside French Press.
Hurrying to the register because I need some warm caffeine after my last meeting and the damp weather, I smile at one of my favorite baristas here. “Hi, Xan.”
They lean against the counter. “Hey, Jake. Your usual?”
“Yes, please. I just had a long meeting with the Fenton Gallery people about financially supporting the Salem Art Foundation. It was a tough sell.”
They stick out their lower lip in sympathy. “Sorry. That’s rough. You staying or is this to go?”
I consider my options. The gallery was my last appointment of the day, so I could tuck into a cozy corner here and fill out some of the grant applications waiting for me.
Or I could go home to my lonely apartment and fill out the forms there.
Eww. No thank you. “I’m staying. Can I have one of those lemon cakes too, please? ”
“You got it.” Xan rings up my order, and I tap to pay with my phone, then lay claim to the cozy love seat and coffee table tucked in the corner of the café.
I’m logging online when Xan brings me my order.
They set down my triple shot oat milk Americano and lemon cake as a customer walks into the shop.
We both look over, and my attention is off my beverage and fully on Tall, Dark, and Handsome in the ass-hugging tan chinos and lavender button-down that’s slightly sticking to his muscles due to the misting that’s happening outside.
His curly dark hair is slightly damp, and why is that so sexy?
I watch him, quietly salivating as he walks to the counter. “Hey there. How’re you doing?”
Xan smiles at the guy, because Xan is not blind. “I’m well. How are you?”
TDH smiles back, and I surreptitiously press my hand to my chest because, dear gods, it’s devastating. “A bit damp, but otherwise I am also well.” And grammar! Be still my heart! I totally eavesdrop on their exchange and don’t even try to hide it.
“So, what can I get you?”
TDH scans the menu above the coffee presses.
“I’ll have a sixteen-ounce dark roast drip coffee with two added shots of espresso.
” Oh, my Lanta, a man after my own caffeinated heart.
As he reaches into his pocket, he glances around, and our gazes meet.
He stops with his phone halfway out and turns his incredible smile on me.
I immediately become a puddle of goo. His heated gaze sweeps over me, and my goo starts to perk up and take notice.
Oh, yes please. And a big helping of thank you.
He turns to Xan, but his gaze stays on me until the very last possible moment, and lordy, I am on fire.
“I also need a”—he finishes taking his phone from his pocket and scrolls—“a triple venti, half-caf, soy, no foam, sugar-free vanilla latte with light whip and cinnamon sprinkles.”
My feet hit the floor and I sit up, now on high alert.
That’s Lee’s order. Not that no one else could order it, but that’s a very specific request. So specific, TDH had to write it down and read it back.
Ha. I could do it in my sleep. Xan glances my way, wide-eyed, and we lock gazes before they focus on TDH.
“And what are the names for the drinks?”
Oh, good job, Xan! Yes, TDH, who is that drink for? And what is your name?
“You can write Matt on mine.”
My mouth drops open. What in the what?
“And the other should say Ainslee.”
No! It can’t be that he’s Asshat Matt! Then again, he’s not wearing a coat, and Lee’s office is just up the block. He also fits the description of Asshat Matt.
Xan writes the names on two cups, adding smiley faces to each. Not that Asshat Matt deserves one. “Do you need a carrier?”
This is it. This will tell me if he’s the asshole who works with my very best friend in the whole universe—the scum who keeps stealing credit for her work.
“No, thanks. I only have to go a few doors down.” He pays for the order with his phone and puts it into his pocket.
I sit on my hands as Xan makes the drinks.
It’s not my place to say anything. This isn’t my fight.
I’m not Lee’s white knight. I pull out my phone to text her, but instead, I toss it next to my laptop.
Dammit, she’s in a meeting. Or will be soon.
I don’t want to disrupt her focus. And I need to mind my own business.
Pfft. Sure. Like I’ve ever done that. Matt picks up the drinks and if I’m going to say something to this jerk it’s now or never.
Before I think about it, I’m up and walking to the counter.
“You!” I point at him. “You—YOU!” I set my fists on my hips.
“I know what you did!” I get right up in his face, rage seething from every pore.
I do not notice his deliciously spicy cologne, or how my nerves buzz this close to him like we have some connection.
“Twice!” I hold up two fingers of my right hand, and I may have gestured with them in a way that’s considered rude in Europe.
“You think you can get away with it, but trust me, you won’t.
” I squint at him. “It’s only a matter of time until you’re found out, and everyone will know!
” I gesture around me, even though the coffee shop is mostly empty at this hour. “We’re on to you.”
Xan stares at me, eyes wide as they hand the drinks to Matt.
Pfft. Not so tall or handsome now that he’s been brought down a peg or two.
Not when his insides are black with the rot of thievery.
Wide-eyed, Matt holds the drinks in front of himself like a shield, and carefully backs up.
“Look, man. I have no idea what you think I did, or who you think I am, but you have the wrong guy.” He connects with the doors and hip-checks one open.
“Maybe lay off the caffeine?” He turns and hurries down the sidewalk toward Lee’s office.
Fuming, I turn to Xan, pointing the way he went. “He is a monster. Next time he’s here, give him decaf!”