Hey guysssss finals and the holidays have been so hectic! I'm trying to update once to twice a month soon, so the story doesn't feel stale. I can't make any huge promises when school pops back up, but just know I haven't given up on this story and am so excited to finish it! I also will be retiring Huey's P.O.V. for a few chapters as it will give away too much.
Hope you enjoy and happy holidays!
"Girl when I tell you my heart was bursting! We were on that floor making sweet music. The vibe was off the CHAIN!"
I blushed as I scrolled down Cindy's text, as it went into graphic detail about just HOW much this mystery guy made her feel. She didn't even need to honestly. I saw them on that floor. Despite his familiar features, he was a little too hood for my personal tastes; but the way he looked at my girl – I can totally understand why she's fawning like crazy right now.
I speedily typed my doe-eyed response before putting my phone in the cashier drawer. Today was my first day back to work since my injury, and last thing I needed was getting busted for texting on the job.
Luckily, it was slow today- typical for a Monday. The chilly weather outside was perfect for cozying up indoors, so few people were out. Probably watching movies. Or Gilmore girls…
I sighed heavily. My fingers drummed against the marble of the register table. Gosh I wish that was me.
"Bored Dubois ?"
Startled out of my mind I turned completely forward, fully focusing now on the man who appeared in front of me.
The exact man that has been haunting my thoughts as of late.
I huffed. "I take it you came for your jacket?"
"Well considering you are on the shift Ms. Dubois, wouldn't it be smarter to deduce that I'm here to place an order ?"
This cheeky jerk.
"What can I get started for you today, Mr. Freeman?"
He smirked his annoying smirk, showing off that dimple. Screw this guy.
"Ill take the three shots of coffee with hot water. And your vegan cobb, is it any good?"
"Tastes like a cobb salad with no cheese."
He rolled his eyes. "Are you this charming with all your customers?" he sighed, chest lifting dramatically. "I'll take that in a lunch portion." He reached into the pocket of his tan suede overcoat, and I averted my eyes as best as possible. That coat had to be at least $300. He had paired it with a black sweater similar to the one he wore at the club last night, though this one wasn't a turtleneck. It showcased his collar bone. He wore a slight off-black pair of jeans to match- this guy's closet had to be filled to the brim with expensive blacks and neutrals.
"Ahem."
Shit was I staring? I quickly swiped the card from his hand, careful not to brush his fingers. " It should be ready in the next 20 minutes."
"Guess I'll wait."
" Or if you give me a number to call we can just text you when its' ready."
"Not necessary." He eyed me carefully as he signed his receipt. "I'll wait. "He passed the receipt across the marble countertop to me, before going to stand off to the side. Still in my freaking peripheral, despite there being literal seating for waiting customers closer to the window.
Whatever. My side work is screaming at me to finish so I can go home on time, and his stupid presence will not be the reason I'm here for another 2 hours. While cutting the strawberries, his form nags in my peripheral still. He was on his phone, some spreadsheet open as he tallies information on it quickly and efficiently, not once looking at a calculator. Not going to lie, it was honestly incredible; how the hell does he do math in his head that fast?
"How are you feeling ?"
My stomach flipped painfully. Was I staring again? "Better. I'm slightly prone to headaches but besides that I'm fine."
He nodded, not looking up from his phone screen. His cheekbone flexed like he was slightly agitated – from his work or from my answer, I wasn't sure. Heat rose to my cheeks, and I began cutting strawberries again. Stiff silence resumed.
"What about this place? I looked up again – and to say it was completely unnerving to have his eyes trained on me again would be an understatement. His eyes were cool, indifferent. And as intense as ever.
Though his tone seemed genuinely concerned.
Jasmine please don't be blushing right now.
"Um, honestly? Iffy. I missed a nice amount of work"
"You got stitches in your fucking head."
" Well I still wasn't accountable. "I huffed, doing quotations with my fingers.
He frowned – deeply. "Stupid capital bullshit."
There he goes again. Rolling my eyes, my hands returned to my current task of cutting berries. The smell of strawberries and cheesecake eased the atmosphere slightly, a pleasant distraction from the tension that was constantly present between us.
" You know…"
I looked up again. The morning light shone through the side window onto him, making his watch glisten and his maroon eyes glisten even greater. His arm was leaned on the display case, his attention completely on me now. "I have a position opening at my firm. Starting pay at 35 an hour."
My knife halted. At 35 an hour I could finally get that one bedroom I've been looking at. My lease is up for renewal next month, so it would be perfect. And my mom…"
"I probably won't be qualified." Sighing, I turned back to my cutting. "For 35 you must be looking for an accountant or someone good with numbers and bookkeeping."
He chuckled deeply, and an image of his dimple flashed through my mind's eye.
Shake it away.
" Well you make a decent cup of joe Dubois, so you could probably pick up everything else easily as my personal assistant."
Pausing, my head swiveled towards him again. He couldn't be for real. And yet, serious eyes met mine back, wine red and devoid of humor.
"You're paying 35 an hour for a personal assistant?" I sputtered. He shrugged in response. "How are you not bankrupt ?"
His mouth formed that half-there smile, eyes still serious. "Because I got it like that Dubois."
How unfair the world is.
I scoffed. "Well, honestly it doesn't sound like me. But I appreciate the offer."
Bull shit – the offer was unnerving and random. The lengths this guy goes to help me is borderline insane. No way I was going to put myself in a position to work for him, to depend on him for money. Plus, after that night – I shuddered- I cannot imagine the daily embarrassment I would feel walking into his office daily.
"I have a Vegan Cobb Salad for a Sir…Mr. Huey Freeman?" my coworker Sheila walked up with a bag, slightly blushing when she caught sight of Freeman and his…begrudgingly lovely physique. My eyes rolled to the back of my head. He grabbed the bag from her, their fingers brushing, and Sheila's tan face went redder that I thought possible. And yet Huey's eyes abruptly flickered back to mine.
Which, once again, I was not mentally prepared for, and I cursed the small gasp that left my mouth.
" If you change your mind," he started, slipping a card from his pocket, which I absently accepted. "…you know how to contact me."
He snatched his eyes from mine before nodding politely to Sheila, and striding out our glass doors onto the street, coffee, food, and a permanent scowl.
The heat of a glare pulled me back into the present. Freeman wasn't the only one sporting a scowl.
"Yes?" I batted my eyes at Sheila. She tossed her hair over one shoulder before placing a hand on her hip. "Next time a man like that comes in let me know so I can work my magic. Since I amin the back and you're in the front-"she paused, giving a condescending smile, " Men like him won't realize what they're missing."
I continued cutting. " I mean considering how he just saw you maybe he's just not interested bub."
My cut strawberries didn't hold a candle to her stupid red face right now. "Just do it Jasmine." She snapped. Her mouth pulled into a smile. "You're on thin ice anyhow."
I paused, deciding to grace this bitch with my full attention since she wanted to run her mouth. My body leaned over the counter towards her. This girl always had it out for me, ever since training. For over year I've dealt with snarky comments, other coworkers not liking me randomly, and that stupid condescending smile.
But if there's anything this bitch was, it was in the loop; especially with the managers.
"Oh really? Do explain." I plastered on my fakest smile. She returned it, reaching over to grab a slice of strawberry.
"Well after your little 'accident…'" she mimicked quotation marks, "They don't think they can trust you. So," she smiled snidely, "they're cutting your hours for a few months."
My heart dropped into the pits of hell. No way. After everything? All the shifts I picked up when they begged me to? The overtime?
I was too shocked to even care about her satisfied smirk.
"You're lying" I gasped. She shrugged, amused. "Check your schedule dearest. You know it drops today."
Stunned, I left the register and ran straight for the door behind the restaurant
I was so busy I forgot the schedule dropped today. Bursting through the doors I stood leaning away from the giant trash bins, opening our schedule app. She was right. 5 hours for the whole week.
A sob almost burst from me, and I forced it down with a choke. Tearing my work hat off, my hair fell around me – a comfort tick I would do as a kid that did little for me right now. How could they do this to me ? I had bills, a car note.
And a very sick mother.
My body shook with sobs as I leaned by the trash cans, the smell for some reason making me cry harder. My life was just that- garbage. And I was so royally screwed. Especially if they were going to be doing this for months. And no way was I moving in with my dad again.
Wine red eyes flashed through my mind. Wiping my tears, the decision needed to be made was obvious. My pride needed to be put aside and I had to do what had to be done to survive.
The number on the card barely rang once before it was picked up. "Freeman Industrial Law Firm, how can you benefit from our service ?" a female voice answered. I took a deep breath.
"Hello, my name is Jasmine DuBois. I'd like to schedule an interview."
