Salty Kisses

Chapter TWO

After catching the fifth wave, it is time to head back home, shower and get ready for my first shift at Billy's Cafe. A pretty nice place to relax with coffee and sweets. I'm thankful that I'll be surfing every day or the sweet treats would become my worst enemy.

The boss was nice and laid back during the interview so I'm sure it will be easy to work for him. Nothing like a law office in the middle of the business district of NYC. My salary was almost not existent but I think it'll be enough for a little while.

Placing my board in the garage, I see the boxes that I've moved here five days ago. Six days since my move and not a single call, text or email from Jay. Asshole.

I miss him, that's the worst part. While we were together, the two of us, he was the perfect boyfriend. Attentive, romantic and really good to me. When he wasn't with me, he liked to be all those things with someone else and that hurt me.

"Shit," I whisper and stop myself from crying.

Inside my bedroom, I take off my bikini, untie my wet hair and find my way to the shower.

Walking around the house naked or with very little clothes was a plus to living alone in a big home.

The shower removes all trace of salt and sand but my new tan stays and I love it. It reminds me of all the summers I spent here working on the perfect bronze tan.

Pairing a black knee length skirt with the dark gray t-shirt from Billy's Cafe should be good enough for the first day. It's cute, not too sexy and it still shows my curves. I apply mascara to define my eyes and pink lip-gloss to add colors on my face.

"All set and ready to go." I smile at the mirror, turn around and go to work. "I got this."

On my way to the cafe, I'm listening to some good old hits from the 90's. My music taste has always been wide and surprising. Nothing beats some Paula Abdul, trust me!

There are a lot of people outside today in town. The weather is perfect, not too hot or too cold. I bet the cafe will be busy as hell. Biting on my lips, I'm anxious.

The Wrangler is parked in the back of the parking lot. Walking toward the front door, I spot my boss, Mr. Walker, and he makes me feel welcome as soon as I walk inside.

"Aspen, how are you doing?"

"Good, a little nervous."

"Don't be. You will be paired with Ryan today. I showed him everything he knows."

"Hold on, Billy. Can you at least give me a chance to impress her before you savage me?" Ryan acts offended but his poor acting skills make me giggle more than anything.

"I don't think you ever stood a chance, Ryan. Aspen, meet Ryan and Ryan meet Aspen."

I feel my cheek turning red, not because Ryan is hot, he isn't but because I never know what to do or say with flattery.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you," I say.

Mr. Walker leaves me with Ryan and I don't know what to say.

"Do you have any experience?"

"I haven't touched a cash register or coffee machine in over five years."

His face falls. "Today should be interesting."

"I'm sorry." If I could, I would have crawled under a table.

"Don't be, girl. I'm just messing with you."

"Okay." I take a deep breath, trying to ease the knots sitting in my stomach.

"I'll have you start with the dessert section, anyway." Ryan leads the way to the dessert selections. "We have four varieties of cookies; rainbow, butterscotch, peanut butter and white chocolate and raspberries. I nod and try to remember what he has said seconds ago.