Joe had left the office after finishing up a massive amount of paperwork he needed to complete that he had been putting off for some time now. Running a record store staffed full of teenagers was a massive headache. Yet, he wouldn't have it any other way. He enjoyed what he did, headaches and all.
As he stepped out into the store his gaze fell to the raven hair women with a messy bun, a red and black plaid shirt that wasn't button up exposing her black crop t-shirt with the Grateful Dead bears across her chest, with her worn jeans and red dock martins. She was flipping through the rock section in the music store while chaos from the teenagers ensued all around her. Debra, Corey and Gina were up at the registers in what looked to be a heated debate, which was nothing new. Marc and Eddie were over by the stereo debating on the right music to play next as the latest mosh pit song that was picked blared in the store. While A.J and Lucas were throwing MM's at each other.
When he saw her heading towards the registers with a stack of cd's he made his way up there. Telling the girls to take their discussion to the back. "Sorry for the lawlessness." He said when she got close.
"I was actually slightly invested in there debate on if 90210 would be good if they have average looking people? Or is it a ploy to tell teenagers you are not cool if you aren't beautiful with first world problems?"
Joe looked up at the female as he scanned the cd's finally getting a glimpse of her sea green eyes. "I'd go with the latter."
Handing him some money. "Interesting." She smiled up at him. "You'll have to let me know where they land on the debate." Take the change and bag he handed her.
"What about you?" He smiled back at her.
"Wouldn't you like to know." She winked at him before leaving the store. Joe watched her walk across the street over to the new store Pixel Pour.
The place looked like a typical coffee shop when you walked in. Where you can get a lot of pretentious coffee's with dumb names that were a play on the coffee it self. There are a few little tables that sat no more than 2 people scattered about the place. Off to the left was the counter you ordered at with a few machines to make the coffees. On one side of the counter was where the staff could get behind the counter or to the back where they had their stock. A few feet to the left of the front door was a metal stair case that led to what looked like a little office above the coffee counter. Straight head of the front door the store went into the building next to it that had a few rows of computers. Some sat empty as a few teenagers scattered about the place were using the other computers. There were neon lights everywhere above them giving off just enough light to help get around the room, music was being blasted everywhere.
The door to the office upstairs swung open. "Give me another chance, please! I need this job." A skinny bleach blonde girl with a pierced eyebrow, nose ring and lip ring begged.
"I've given you 4 chances already Jennifer. You were 3 no calls no shows for a week straight each time, and 1 sleeping with a customer in return for free drinks. And that customer is married and I should call his wife." The women who bought all the cd's trailed behind her.
"Please it wont happen again."
Arching her eyebrow. "No, you have been given enough times to prove me wrong. I have been told no more chances for you. I'm sorry."
"You are such a bitch. I hate you!" The blonde yelled storming past Joe.
The women finally took notice of him. "See you finally made your way over here. Only took you a week." She leaned on the wrought iron railing over looking the place.
Looking up at her. "Took awhile for the three to finish there debate. You wanted to know where they landed." He stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"Thought you forgot about that and me." She made her way down to him.
Watching her. "I couldn't forget a pretty face."
"Flattery will get you everywhere." Heading behind the counter. "Want anything? On the house." His eyebrow arched. "That's not code for I'm sleeping with you. Jennifer needs more help than we can give her here."
Looking up at the chalk board that hung on the wall behind her. "Just a black coffee."
"So 'just a black coffee' what's your name?" Handing him the cup.
"Joe." Seeing her chuckle. "Are you laughing at my name?"
Pouring some creamer in her cup of coffee. "I'm sorry I have no room to chuckle at someone's name. My parents named me Tillie."
"You do have no room to talk."
Walking back around the counter. "Now that you have a cup of Joe, Joe. Where did the debate of 90210 land?" Taking a seat at one of the tables.
Joining her. "Well Debra thinks it would have tanked with average looking people and it is solely designed to make people feel bad about themselves. Gina and Corey both think that it is a well crafted show to give people like themselves something to relate to."
"I'm going to have to go with Debra on that one." They both laughed. "I swear the kids these days and the stuff they talk about. I had a group of kids debate for 6 hours if Velma from Scooby Do is lesbian or not. I lost I.Q. Points for listening to some of it anytime I came down from my office for something."
"Did they come to a conclusion?"
Shaking her head. "Nope, and they'll be in this afternoon. Sit in the corner of computer alley and go at it all over again. But I'd rather them doing that than out on the streets or something worse."
"I was wondering what kind of place this was going to be when they started building it. Figured it was going to be another yuppy coffee shop."
"I know right?" Looking around the place. "I've never been so glad I was wrong about a place in my life." Turning her attention back to Joe. "Especially after meeting the neighbors." Smirking at him.
Reaching for his cup of coffee that set on the table before him. "Same here."
Lucas came barging into the coffee shop. "Joe we need you back at the store."
"I should get back to work. I have some things I need to finish myself." Tillie rose from the table.
"Thanks for the coffee." Doing the same.
"Anytime." Tillie headed for the iron stairs to her office as Joe and Lucas left the coffee shop.
Joe was in his office with the door wide open when he heard someone knocking. "I said leave me alone!" Looking up to see Tillie in the doorway. "I'm sorry." He stood up.
"If it's a bad time I can come back later." Taking a few steps into the office.
"Oh no it's not a bad time." Walking around his desk.
Placing her hands on her hips. "I have a favor to ask. Keep in mind thought it will definitely be ok to say no. I'll for sure have no hurt feelings about it."
"What's the favor?"
"I have a thing that will take me away for a week. I was just wondering if they need anything while I'm gone, if it would be ok for me to let them know to come over here and get you. The place should be fine, it's just the manager and assistant manager that are hired to run that place are both 20. And they don't really have much experience in what they are doing."
Nodding. "Oh ya, that's completely fine."
Giving him a hug. "Thank you so much. I owe you big time for this." Reaching into her back pocket of her jeans. "If you need anything here is a number you can reach me at." Handing Joe a piece of paper. "This means a lot."
"It's no big deal really. If I get a few minutes that isn't having to do deal with these guys and their stuff. It will be my pleasure."
"Ok, I'll be back in a week. No longer I swear." Joe went back to his desk after she left with a little pep in his mood now.
Joe was opening the store when he saw a cab pull up across the street and Tillie climb out of it. He told Gina and Marc to finish opening up handing them the keys before heading over to the Pixel Pour. Tillie had just reach the top of the stairs when she heard the bell to the store ring. "I was just going to ring you once I set my stuff down." She smiled seeing him.
"I was opening the store when I saw you."
"Awesome, you saved me a call. I'll be down in a minute." Tillie told him.
Joe headed up the stairs slipping through the door that was left slightly open, once in he gazed around the room to see posters of romance covers of books hanging up on three of the four walls. They were those cheesy, absurd covers with Fabio on most of them. The wall with the door had a small couch flushed against it. While the wall behind the desk had a bunch of sticky notes posted to it with notes on them as a bunch of pens, papers, and folders sat on the filing cabinets under the sticky notes. Than his gaze landed on the bottom of one of the posters to see the authors name. "You care to explain?" He smirked pointing at one of the poster that had a half naked Fabio on it.
"I was hoping never." She laughed. "But my cash cow is writing romance novels. The trip I came back from was a book launching for my latest one. It was the last book of a trilogy."
Joe smiled fighting back a laugh. "That's….nice."
"Oh shut up." Throwing a paper clip at him. "My first two books paid for my college while I was going through it. I always loved writing and my niche is apparently that genre. I got very lucky when I did."
Leaning on the doorframe. "Than why work here?"
"One of my college roommates I'm good friends with is from here. She wanted to open a place for teenagers that is a safe space for them. She came from a rough background and she made it out but her brother wasn't so lucky. She want's to give the young kids a chance to have a future. So she went to college for business and is trying to open a few places for kids to go and hopefully give them something other than the streets. When she came to me about this place asking for my help. I told her if there was a office for me to do my writing, I'll help no cost to her and it's great for me since I'm normally up late at night anyways writing, since our hours are well into the night. I'm a slight insomniac when I'm on a roll with writing. So she hires teenagers and kids in there 20's going through college so they can earn their own money and get some experience with something."
Looking around the room a second time. "You can even inspire some to write romance novels." He jabbed.
"Keep making fun. I'll just keep the present I got you as a thank you while on my book launch." Reaching into her tote bag she brought with her.
"Is it a sign book?" He joked seeing her place a book on her desk.
Rolling her eyes at him. "Guess you don't want the signed Judas Priest shirt I got you."
"What?!" Joe perked up.
Holding up the shirt. "See I wasn't sure if you were a fan of them or not. But L.A. has this really cool out of the way clothing store that sells these really great vintage band shirts and other cool stuff. Well I got the Judea Priest one that I wore to the Viper Room. Which going there was against my better judgement but my manager loves the place. Judas Priest happened to be there, so I got them to sign my shirt. Figured it would be a great thank you present."
"I take it all back."
Tillie laughed tossing him the shirt. "I thought so."
Laying the shirt over his shoulder. "So what is this book about?" Picking up the one she tossed on her desk.
"Not one of my better ones but the series has been selling well. It's about a daughter of innkeepers who is bored with her life. She doesn't want to spend it checking people in, serving them food and drinks, than cleaning up the rooms after people leave. She wants more. Things change when she meets a noble, handsome, duke who gives her the adventure she wants. Or so she thinks she wants."
Flipping through some of the pages of the book. "People read this?"
"Let's just say if I wanted to, I can retire now and never have to worry about money till I die. I can sit on the beach sipping Mai Tai's without a care in the world if I wanted to."
"Yet you are here watching a bunch of teenagers."
Leaning on her desk after she walked around it towards Joe. "It comes with a great view." Wetting her lips she looked him up and down.
"I have to agree. The view is a good one." He smiled back as he moved in front of her. Tillie leaned up pressing her lips to Joe's who instinctively kissed back. She moved to sit on her desk feeling the warmth of his hands on her thighs. Enjoying the feeling of him gently spreading her legs to inch closer to her. Breaking the kiss. "This isn't going to end up in one of your books is it?" Joe asked.
Tillie laughed. "And ruin what could possibly be a good thing with the hot manager from across the street?" Grabbing Joe by the shirt. "Now where were we?" Pulling him into a kiss. They both groaned hearing the phone sitting on the desk ring. "This better be an emergency I'm busy." Joe could here the voice on the phone but it was to muffled to make anything out. "Is there any way we can push that to the end of the month?…Ok thanks…I can't right now…because I'm busy…yes." The person was still talking on the phone when Tillie hung it up. "Sorry that was my manager."
The two heard a few of the employees let themselves in downstairs, they were your typical teenagers. Loud and laughing at whatever they found funny. "As hard as this is for me because you are amazing." Taking a deep breath. "We might want to pick this up some other time. One where we are alone and I didn't leave my staff unsupervised." He joked.
"They'll be fine." Wrapping her legs around his waist, her feet locking behind him.
"You are going to be trouble aren't you?" Joe placed his hands on either side of her as she laughed again. "I should get back or they will burn the place down."
Placing a hand on his chest Tillie smiled up at him. "Just when I thought you couldn't get any hotter." Unlocking her legs Joe helped Tillie off her desk. He headed out as she made her way behind her desk.
She had just pulled out her chair and was about to sit when she felt her self be spun around. Joe wrapped one arm around Tillie's waist as the other was placed behind her head. Planting a long and lingering kiss on her. "You are absolutely going to drive me crazy." He told her.
"That's the plan." Pushing him towards the door. "Now go before I regret letting you out of this office without getting laid."
Joe was the only person in the record store. He had some last minute things to do before leaving and since everyone else finished there stuff he sent them home. He was returning from the restroom to find Tillie sitting on the couch. "Hey." She smiled.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were going to be gone another week."'
"My last few places I was doing book signings were cancelled. So I came home early. It's ok I stopped by?"
Joining her on the couch. "It's definitely ok you stopped by. Three weeks on a book tour is three weeks to long."
"It's what happens when you get involved with someone who writes popular romance novels. Which speaking of romance novels." Reaching behind her. "This was sitting on your desk. Care to explain why you are reading one of my earlier works, The Duchess' Demise?"
Taking the book from her. "I came across that while out and about."
"You are an awful liar." She leaned over kissing his cheek. "But I do love that you actively read something of mine, even thought my books are super girly and cheesy."
"I had to see if you were as good as you so claimed."
She gasped hitting his arm. "Jerk."
"Should you really be attacking your fans?" He joked.
Standing up. "You know if you're going to be mean I'm going home."
Joe reached out grabbing Tillie's wrist pulling her onto his lap. "I'm sorry, don't go." She smiled leaning forward to kiss him.
Pulling back. "Wait! What did you think of the book?" Tillie asked.
"Oh it was absolutely cheesy."
They both laughed. "That is one of my most popular ones."
"Seriously?!"
"Yes, I have gotten up to 20 fan letters a month sometimes asking if I'd please do a sequel to it."
"Would you ever consider doing so?"
Shaking her head. "No, that story was meant to just be one book and nothing more." One of Tillie's hands went to the top of Joe's button shirt that was parted from him not buttoning it all the way up. "Enough about my book. What I'm really thinking is that we finally are somewhere alone. Whatever shall we do?"
Quickly moving so Tillie laid on her back on the couch while Joe was above her. "What shall we do?" He smiled down at her.
Tillie rubbed the sleep from her eyes feeling the warmth of the sun on her face as she looked towards the windows. She smiled to herself feeling Joe behind her lightly tug her towards him. Rolling over on the couch to face him woke Joe up. "Morning." Tillie softly spoke.
"Morning."
Tillie looked down at them still dressed. "Guess we weren't going to get far last night."
"Well if someone didn't fall asleep while making out, we might have gotten far." Propping himself up on one of his elbows.
Her hands went to her face with a groan. "I fell asleep!" Poking her eyes out between her fingers. "I'm so sorry."
"It's fine…" Removing her hands from her face. "I'm not the one that spent the day traveling."
"I really am sorry."
Brushing some hair from her face. "I honestly can say I never had someone fall asleep on me while making out before."
"This is a first for me too." A small frown played on Tillie's face. "I can't believe I fell asleep. This is so embarrassing."
The corner of his mouth went up. "More embarrassing than the fact you make your money off romance novels?"
"Oh the jokes so early in the morning." Tillie threatened as she climbed up off the couch.
Sitting up. "Couldn't help myself."
Going back over to him after slipping her shoes on. "You better be careful with the romance novel jokes. Because I may put you in one." She leaned over to kiss him.
"You would not be so mean. You said so yourself."
Smirking at him. "I can see it now. The sexy, brooding store owner who comes off as a grump because he is grouchy with everyone. But actually has the heart of gold."
"You better not." He pointed at her.
Gasping. "Oh I think I will and have Fabio on the cover as he is styled to have a vague resemblance to you. As he brews over the ledgers to his music store." Tillie blew him a kiss leaving Joe alone in his office.
Later that day Joe walked up to the registers where Marc stood. "You called."
"Someone is here to see you." He pointed to a guy in a gray suit over by smooth jazz.
Making his way over to him. "You wanted to see me?" He asked the stranger.
"Yes. Tillie has told me a lot about you." Seeing confusing on Joe's face. "Oh right! I'm her manager Dave."
Glancing down at the man's outstretched hand. "And you wanted to see me why?"
Retracting his hand he reached into his coat pocket. "Were having a little surprise soirée for Tillie for her birthday this Saturday. I wanted to make sure that you were invited."
"Thanks…" Taking the invitation that was being handed to him. "I guess."
"Make sure to not say anything." Dave stuffed his hands in his pockets leaving Joe in the smooth jazz section.
Nervous about leaving the store unattended after what Lucas did with the deposit money awhile back, Joe took a deep breath as he climbed out of his car. The house was one of the nicest houses he had ever been in. When he stepped through the front door there was a entry hall that lead to the living room which was all marble, rugs scattered around the place. He noticed the house was decorated in a very minimalist way of black, gray and white color pallet. Their was a wall of windows as the sliding doors were propped opened for those who wanted to could be outside in the pool area. Joe saw a few doors to the left of him across the room as a open kitchen was to the right of him in the living room. Over by the entry way was a set of stairs leading upstairs to more rooms and god know what else.
Joe had stopped at the bottom of the steps after making his way into the house to look up seeing a familiar face standing at the top of them. Tillie smiled while she climbed down to greet him. "What are you doing here?"
"Dave showed up at the store with a invitation."
Rolling her eyes. "Of course."
"Why didn't you tell me today was going to be your birthday?"
Shrugging a shoulder. "I am not overly fond of going all out like this for my birthday. Dave loves it, gives him a chance to network. And he's done so much for me, I don't have the heart to tell him to stop doing this. I just wish he wouldn't plan these parties at my house."
"Your house?!"
"Ya, I was told it would be a good investment."
Dave made his way to them. "What are you doing over here? We have your presents to open and cake to cut." He pulled her towards where everything was being set up.
Joe watched as a giant three layered cake was rolled out glowing bright with lit candles as the crowd sang happy birthday. A round of applause went through out the room after Tillie blew out the candles. Two caterers came out, one with a knife another with plates to cut the cake and hand it out. As that was being done Dave escorted Tillie over to the love seat by the presents.
As soon as the presents were opened and the cake passed out Joe watched Tillie duck outside, away from the crowd. "What are you doing out here?" Taking a seat next to her.
"I needed some air." Watching some people walk by them.
"You are hating this."
Rubbing her face. "Dave means well. But he has known me long enough to find better people to invite."
"They aren't bad."
Tillie placed her hands on Joe's face making him look at her. "I got a mug and pens that said 'best writer ever' on them." Letting his face go. "Like seriously?!"
Joe laughed reaching into his shirt pocket. "I guess now is a good time for your present." Handing her a small black box.
"No way!" Tillie gasped when she opened it, looking down at a pair of earrings of the band's signature teddy bear. "How did you know I'm a fan of The Grateful Dead?"
"I remember from the first day we met you were wearing red dock martins, faded jeans, a red and black plaid shirt opened to a black crop top shirt with The Grateful Dead on it. And I noticed your Grateful Dead coffee cup on your desk at the Pixel Pour."
Tillie leaned over giving Joe a kiss. "This is possibly the best present I have ever gotten." She took out her current earrings and replaced them with the new ones. "How do they look?"
Joe reached out to tuck her hair behind her ears. "Amazing."
They sat there chatting the night away enjoying the little world they were in. It wasn't till Tillie started to get cold did they realize that they were the only ones left. The rest of the guest to the birthday party had left. Tillie bit her bottom lip with a smile as she took Joe's hand when she stood.
By the time Joe fell backwards onto the queen size bed of Tillie's, they were both stripped down to the underwear. "Not going to lie you could definitely pull off the front covers of romance novels." Wetting her lips as she took him in.
Joe reached out pulling Tillie towards him so she stood between his legs. "No way could you get me to do such a thing."
"You could definitely make bank." Pushing him back as she climbed above him. "If I wanted to share you."
Joe was leaning against the head board arm wrapped around Tillie as she leaned against him. The sheets barely covering the two as they watched the sun rise from the windows. "Why don't you have a girlfriend?" Tillie finally broke the silence.
"The ex-wife left me for another women and the ex-girlfriend held me at gun point and told me to leave. So I'm guessing I make bad choices." He heard Tillie laugh. "Is my love life funny?"
"It sounds like something in one of my romance novels."
"Like you have a perfect love life."
Sitting up. "The college boyfriend actually cheated on me with half of a sorority. The one out of college was a sponge, he spent more time trying to get his music career off the ground. Yet, he couldn't play an instrument to save his life. The last one gave me an ultimatum, my writing or him, I couldn't have both."
Tracing a finger up and down her bare arm. "You are better off without them. Especially the one that gave you the ultimatum. Because you writing romance novels is the best part."
"It's no gun pulled on me." Tillie joked as she straddled him. "But did you ex-wife seriously leave you for another women? Did she always know she was gay? If so why did she even bother marrying a guy?"
Laughing at her curiosity. "Talking about that is kind of killing the buzz of us staying up all night."
"Just one more thing before moving on. Can I use that in my next romance novel?"
Rolling over Joe pinned Tillie's arms above her head. "You use that in your next book there will be hell to pay."
"Will there be spanking?"
His right eyebrow arched. "You are going to drive me nuts."
Tillie giggled. "Good. Now, show me again why the actually thing is better in reality than my books." She leaned up to kiss him.