Friend-Zoned(18)
Vanessa says her goodbyes to us both and takes her leave. I turn to Nik. He is staring at me and says, “I can’t believe the cupcake thing worked!”
“Like a charm, every time,” I confess. Then I narrow my eyes at him, “What was the couple thing all about, mister?”
He has the grace to look sheepish. He explains, “Sorry about that but I’ll do anything to get this client. And she seemed to really like you. I didn’t want her disappointed.”
Rolling my eyes at him, I sigh and respond, “Well, I’d better get back to work because I may have lied about having that recipe on my work computer. Luckily for you, I know it by heart.” My face turns serious, “I really hope you get it, Nik.”
His face softens and he says softly, “Thanks for the cupcakes, T. And the sub. Sushi is on me tomorrow.”
I nod and make my way to the door.
I have a recipe to email.
Chapter Five
Only in New York
Inventory day is the worst day of the month. I have Lola and Mimi in on inventory days because like a creature suffering photosensitivity, I will not see the light of day today.
Call me Smeagle.
The floor is not very busy so Mimi straightens up loose clothing items around the place and Lola takes calls and answers emails for me. They share the customers.
I hear the store room door open and close. I don’t think anything of it; I just continue my monotonous task.#p#分页标题#e#
Hands close over my eyes and I feel breathing next to my ear. “Guess who Bitch?”
I know that voice.
I jump up and down and squeal as loud as my lungs will let me. I stop squealing for a moment to turn around. There smiling back at me is my bff Natalie; 5 days early!
I jump into her arms and we both squeal loud for a full minute. I scream at the top of my lungs, “Oh my God!”
The door bursts open and Max barges in with a gun in hand!
Nat and I start squealing for a different reason and we both hit the floor and I cover my head.
“What the fuck is going on here?” Max booms; he looks angry.
I croak hoarsely, “Why do you have a gun, Max?”
He looks around the room and takes in the scene before him. Chest heaving, he lowers his gun hand to his chest. He speaks a strained, “Holy shit babe, you scared the fuckin’ shit outta me.”
I reply a shrill, “I scared you? I’m not holding a gun!”
He puts the gun in his waistband and holds out a hand to both me and Nat.
We take his hands and he pulls us both up. He puts him arms around both our shoulders and explains, “I was at the coffee shop and I heard you screamin’ like a freakin’ loon. I thought someone was hurtin’ you. I dropped my damn coffee all over Winnie’s floor and ran the fuck over here. That’s why I had my gun out.”
My face turns soft. I say, “It doesn’t explain about the gun but I’m glad you were ready to help me, hon.”
Max smiles, dimple and all. He responds, “Who would make me cupcakes then?”
Nat smiles as says, “Ahh, she got you with her cupcakes.”
Max looks down at her and exclaims, “Wow. You’re really pretty! I’m Max.”
Nat corrects, “Actually, I’m not ‘Really Pretty’. I’m Natalie. I moved from Cali to be closer to my best friend and that’s the welcome I get?” She chuckles, “Only in New York.”
Max looks properly chastened and apologizes. “I’m sorry, ma’am. It won’t happen again.”
Nat makes a positively ghastly face at him and spits, “You’re damn right it won’t! If you call me ma’am again I’ll punch you in the face.”
Max puts his arms up in retreat and utters, “Okay! Okay! Yeesh! Well, now that I know you ladies are safe and sound, I’ll be on my way.”
He backs out of the store room. I look over at Nat, smile and shrug.
Only in New York.
***
Laughing so hard I’m clutching my ribs, I let Max finish his story.
“And they both hit the freakin’ floor like I was goin’ postal or some shit.” He’s laughing as hard as I am as he continues, “Then, get this Nik, I make the mistake of callin’ her friend ma’am and she threatens to punch me in the face!”
Ghost is reading the newspaper but he’s chuckling, too. Trick’s face is bright red and he’s wheezing, he thinks this is as hilarious as I think it is.
Ghost lifts his face and frowns. He asks “What is it with chicks and squealing?”
Trick answers “It’s their version of when a dog gets so excited it pees.”
Max face turns serious as he tells us “You should see the friend though. Mmmm, nice. Tina is cute as all get out with a great ass. Mimi is sexy but scary as hell. Natalie is just plain sexy. And there was another girl there who was a little young but just as fine.” He turns to me and smirks, “I’m really glad you decided to be friends with Tina.”