Clay, JJ, Asha, Paul, and Charlie (I had my doubts about Charlie, he looked far more like a Carlos to me) all had all introduced themselves to me, and my staff by the end of the week. Apparently, after I'd made the first move they followed. Keli, ever stubborn, surly Keli still addressed them by their orders, or she did under her breath anyway. I tried, desperately, not to growl at her every time she muttered about the 'half caf double shot extra whipped cream' order of another regular, one that was not with the newest group of regulars. Was the order ridiculous? Sure, but that's why we offer ridiculous shit.

"Charlotte," I smiled, clipboard in hand as I worked on another round of ordering the following Wednesday. Looking up I saw that it was Paul, his smile came as easily as mine had. "I was wondering," I raised an eyebrow and waited for the inevitable weird personal request that I handled from regulars all the time, but his surprised me. "Does the shop ever offer after hours space for gatherings?"

I considered what he was asking. "You mean like renting out the shop for a party? Or-"

"Not a party, more like a business meeting." I wondered if it would be lucrative to give it a whirl, the owner left the running of the store up to me, so I had full reign to make it happen. I also wondered what type of business he was involved in, since I'd only ever seen him dressed in jeans and t-shirts. Some kind of tech start up maybe? "We wouldn't need catering, just the space, really."

"We?" They still stayed apart while they were in the shop, the five of them, but I was curious if he'd admit they were together. "How many would be taking up space?"

"Five to seven," clever, I thought, an answer without answering. "We wouldn't even need-" He was trying to find the word so I thought I'd help.

"A barista or me?" I studied him, even as I felt eyes watching us. "You want to rent the shop, and have me hand over the keys to the shop, and just leave?"

"Just for one evening," he was still smiling, but it wasn't looking as natural now. "It sounds strange I know, but-"

"How much?" His eyes widened. "I mean, if I say yes, how much would you be willing to rent the shop for?" I lived over the shop, I'd hear them if they were tearing it apart or if they were robbing the place. Hell, I heard the mice scurry through once and got pest control in before it became a health inspector nightmare.

"Um, I don't know-" Caught him off guard apparently. He shot a look over my shoulder and my suspicions were confirmed.

I didn't turn, but I did let my smile widen. Leaning closer to 'Paul', I whispered, "Do you need to check with Clay, Charles, JJ, and Asha?" His eyes met mine and his Adam's apple bobbed hard. "It's OK, just get back with me with a number, and if it seems fair, a date."

I turned back to my inventory and ordering, and paid no more attention to him or the others. Starting to feel very 'not my circus, not my monkeys', I wandered into the small kitchen to check on the baking supplies. I baked our pastries, a secret that no one knew, not even my baristas. They all assumed the owner, who was my uncle, hired a pastry chef who worked weird hours. Yeah, I thought, me.

I made sure that I had enough of the staple stock, but then I added the seasonal ingredients I used, along with some new things that I wanted to try. Once I was finished, I let Keli and Rachel know that I'd be in the office sending out the order. Paul's eyes met mine and he gave me a small nod, but I wasn't sure if that meant he had an offer or if he was still working on it. Shrugging I went back to the office and used my laptop to place the order.

A soft knock came as I was hitting send on the final order and I absently told whomever it was to enter. Looking up I was a little shocked to see it was Clay and not one of my employees. I watched as he looked around the small space with interest, wondering if he was about to confirm my suspicions about his group.

"Paul tells me you're open to renting us the café for our-" I watched him try to think of what word 'Paul' may have used for their get together.

"Meeting?" Smiling up at him as he took the word and ran with it.

"Yes, our meeting," I watched him lean against the wall beside the door, ignoring the two chairs in front of my desk. "We'll need the space for about three hours, so how does -" he offered me a tidy sum and I felt my eyebrows raise. "If that's not enough, I'm open to negotiations."

Swallowing hard I found myself blinking again. Shit, how did he manage that? Short circuiting my brain usually involved more nudity. "That sounds more than fair, since 'Paul' mentioned that you wouldn't be needing refreshments or any service." Clay's smile started small, but soon it was full blown and I felt another blinking session build. Fuck. "Give me a date, and I'll make the arrangements."

"Tomorrow." Blink. "I'm sorry, but it's of the utmost importance, and we really have to-" Tomorrow? What the literal fuck?

"Fine." Wait, what? "Cash upfront, and what hours are you asking for?" He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope that was clearly stuffed full of money. Seriously? Please God, don't let me be renting out to the fucking cartel. I took it and tucked it into my drawer for a moment.

"From closing until-"

"Three hours after?" I smirked up at him. "I'll hand whomever wants the spare keys after the last employee leaves," something told me that secrecy was important in this situation. "Just lock up when you're done, and put the keys through the mail slot." What the hell? If I heard something go batshit, I'd call the police from my apartment and sit back with popcorn while the five of them were herded off to the clink.

He was back to leaning against the wall, and I glanced up at him again with a hint of confusion. "Is there something else?" I asked, biting my lip and pretending I didn't notice his eyes land on the movement.

"You're not gonna ask any questions about our 'meeting'?" Shrewd eyes, laser focused on me, and if I were the squirming type, I might have partook in the exercise. I shook my head dismissively. "Not even a little curious?"

"Not even a bit." I stood up and moved toward the door. "Now, if you're finished?" He took the hint, but as he passed through the door I held open, he managed to brush against my body and I had to hold my breath so I wouldn't gasp or moan. Fuck. "Have a good day, Clay."

He looked over his broad shoulder at me with that dimpled smile of his and assured me that he most definitely would. Damn it, I thought, shutting the door behind him and letting myself fall back into my desk chair with a small squeak. He'd be enjoying his day with his girlfriend, and I'd be a hot mess for the rest of mine.