The Barista

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"He said what!" Abby roars in excitement. "Liam Easton likes you..." She pauses and tosses her apron on the couch. "I mean...I think we all knew he liked you. But now he's admitting it! And that was it? You signed the papers, and he took you home? Nothing else? No kiss or anything?"
I nod. "Yeah! I'm not looking for a relationship. And if I was, I don't know if he's who I'd want to date."

She tosses her pad of paper at me. "Shut up! You know damn well you want to lay in bed in his arms and let him caress your face and slowly slide those panties..."

"Stop!" I argue, biting back my laugh. "Not happening. I have too much going for me. And now that I work for his father, it's even longer days for me."

"Nah." She shakes her head in disagreement. "You have time to take that man out on a date if you want to. You're the one deciding not to. And I think you should. Just one date with him. What's the worst that can happen?"

"Oh, I don't know," I say playfully. "I could end up falling in love with him. Being with him for years. And then one day he just decides to end our relationship, leaving me to wander the earth hopelessly and depressed."

"Jesus, Elle!" She gasps in shock and disgust. "That's pretty damn deep."

I shrug. "Well, the divorce rates are something like two point four in America. It's decreased, but that still doesn't mean much. Relationships are tougher now than they were in the past. Everyone is about themselves now and the thought of trying to make one work seems impossible. He could leave me, and it would be a nasty breakup. I'd rather risk being alone than with a millionaire with his attitude."

Her mouth hangs up and her eyes widen as she stutters to find words. "It's just a date, Elle! One damn date! You made that sound way worse than it could ever need to be."

I shrug my shoulders while filing my fingernails. "Well, you're the one who befriended me after I warned you about how my brain works."

"You're intelligent. But you don't have to be so deep with that intelligence, dork. Not wanting to date him because you're afraid of a breakup could have sufficed. But you brought it to a whole new level of 'what the F' and I...what the F!"

I chuckle, wanting to agree with her about my craziness, but I don't give in and agree with anyone if I think I have even the slightest chance of being right.

"Sorry," I say and glance at my lit-up phone. "Like you said, I'm a little deep. Now if you don't mind, I have work to do."

"What work do you have to do?" She questions, trying to look over my shoulder and at my phone. "It's evening. You...oh yeah. You work for Mr. Easton now. I almost forgot."

"Yep, and I already have my first risk analysis."

An hour later I am finishing up my first job with Mr. Easton. I exhale a breath of relief and smile, knowing this was easy as hell. I could have done most of this with my eyes closed.

The vibrating sound of my phone grabs my attention. It's Mr. Easton. Why is he calling me?

"Hi, Mr. Easton!" I answer with my most positive attitude. "For what do I owe this pleasure."

"Elle! Glad you picked up. I'm assuming you got my reports for your first job?"

"I did!" I say excitedly. "It's unique and interesting."

"Yes!" He adds. "About that. When you get to it. I completely understand it's not going to be a quick job. If it takes you a few days, just let me know the hours. I know some people can get it done in a day and some will take longer. You're brand new to this so I understand if it takes longer. I also know how intelligent you are so..."