No Strings Attached(5)

“Thanks,” she said, and immediately flipped the lid off her paper cup—probably to inspect the foam to milk ratio. “Please teach your new colleague how to make my wet capp properly by tomorrow, Josephine,” she said, turned on her heel, and walked out the door.

“Jesus.” Micky looked at Josephine. “A wet capp? Really?”

“It’s just a latte,” Josephine said matter-of-factly.

“If only I had known that before I got my head bitten off.” Micky looked over at Amber, to gauge if she’d followed the conversation between her and the annoying customer.

“Why don’t you take your break,” Josephine said. “Rest your feet for a bit.” She was at least twenty years younger than Micky, and twenty times better at her job.

✶ ✶ ✶

“Tsk. Americans,” Micky hissed as she sat down opposite Amber.

Amber shot her a friendly smile. “Don’t sweat it. We’re all different.”

“Indeed, some of us are pompous asses.” Micky rotated her ankles and relished the feeling of relief it brought.

Amber looked at her intently. “Why are you getting so upset? She was just another person ordering another cup of coffee.”

Micky shrugged. “I don’t like the way she spoke to me. Did you hear what she said about me to Josephine before leaving? So rude.”

“Just brush it off. It comes with the job. Not everyone can be lovely and full of positive energy like me.” Amber batted her lashes ostentatiously.

Micky had to smile. “She could surely benefit from one of your classes, but she probably doesn’t have time. She probably has to make some other people feel bad about themselves around seven tonight.”

Amber looked at her silently.

“What?” Micky asked.

“Granted, she was being a jerk, but why can’t you let it go?” She narrowed her eyes, as though inspecting Micky’s face in detail.

“Because I didn’t start this job to be treated like dirt, while clearly she was—”

“She was hot,” Amber interrupted her. “Might that have something to do with your level of upset?”

Micky arched up her eyebrows. “Excuse me?”

Amber painted a smile on her face. “Not only that, but I’m guessing that she may have reminded you of someone with the way she waltzed in here and spoke to you.”

Micky couldn’t follow Amber’s train of thought at all.

“Demanding, busy, overly confident?” Amber continued. “Your ex-husband comes to mind.”

“Nuh-uh.” Micky shook her head. “Our marriage may have run its course and ended badly, but Darren is also considerate, a great father, and only half as full of himself as that woman was.”

“You like the type, that’s all I’m saying,” Amber teased.

“Come on, Amber. She’s a, er, woman.”

“I do have eyes in my head. I noticed her female features.”

“You keep pushing me on that, just because of one thing I said once, after too many bottles of wine.” Micky knew she was making a poor attempt at embellishing things. On top of that, Amber knew her too well to let her get away with such a statement.

“This is your workplace now, so not the place to discuss this further, but we do need to have a serious conversation about this, sooner rather than later.”

“Dear Amber, you’re my best friend, and an excellent yoga teacher, but that doesn’t make you my life coach.”

“When are the kids going to their dad’s?” Amber asked, undeterred.

“Day after tomorrow.” Micky simultaneously dreaded and looked forward to that day of the week. She could do with a few days of peace and quiet after starting this job, but she also—always—missed them terribly. Having to shuttle her kids around between her home and her ex’s was something she would always feel guilty about. None of this was their fault, yet they had to suffer because of it.

“So, Friday evening, you’re coming to yoga, then to dinner at mine. We’re going to have an intimate chat. It’s time.”

“Are you propositioning me, Amber? I didn’t know you felt that way about me.” Now Micky batted her lashes in an exaggerated fashion.

“Don’t be silly. You’re like my sister, which is why I’m the right person to confide in.”

“All because of that woman and her ridiculous coffee order?” Micky used playing dumb as a defense mechanism.

“You know why,” Amber said. “I have to go now.”

“Back to work I go as well.” They both stood, and Amber gave Micky an extra long hug before she left.





CHAPTER FOUR