Page 76 of Whispers of Obsession

My manager reads the reluctance on my face and sighs. “Fine, I’ll double them for the weekend! Please, I can’t force you, but I can beg.”

“Uh, okay. I guess,” I reply, thinking of all that extra cash. I probably would have said yes just for the double tips for tonight, but I’m not telling her that now.

“Great! I’ll let Slater know.”

For a brief moment, I wonder if this will upset Slater. I don’t think he’ll be upset, exactly. But I don’t think he’s going to like it though, that’s for sure.

I watch anxiously as my manager approaches Slater. She says something to him, and his head snaps to me.

I spin away, making my retreat. No way am I sticking around long enough for him to…well, I don’t know what he will do, if I’mhonest, but I know he’s not pleased because of the look he shot me.

I drop my bag off in my locker, and text both Trisha and Steph, asking if they’re available. Steph replies for both of them, saying they’ll be here in thirty. I let my manager know, and then prepare for the speed dating.

As people start coming in, I get more and more nervous. I want to help my boss out, and I also think it could be fun to flirt a little, but it’s still nerve wracking. I don’t think I’ll meetthe one, but a little bit of flirting never hurt anyone.

“You need to back out,” a deep voice growls in my ear, making me jump. I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings, so I didn’t notice him sneaking up on me.

“I can’t. It’s too late for that now. I can’t leave Shelly hanging like that!” I gasp, and Slater gives me a dark look in reply.

“You just love to play with fire, don’t you? Are you trying to get a rise out of me, Cora?”

“No. I’m just doing my boss a favor. It’s not that serious, Slater,” I hiss, walking away from him and his brooding stares.

It doesn’t take long for everyone to arrive and take their seats. The men rotate, while the women get to remain seated, and if you like someone you exchange tickets. At the end, you can get each person’s number with the ticket. If you didn’t vibe, or only one of you vibed, only one of you gets the number.

I’m seated next to Steph, and as the first round starts, my nerves increase, but there’s excitement too.

Five guys later, I’ve gotten three tickets, but haven’t given any out.

When Slater takes the seat next to the guy I’m talking to, right in front of Steph, I lose my shit a little.

“Hi, I’m Matt,” the guy in front of me says, as Steph talks to Slater.

Slater, who is staring me the fuck down.

“Hi, I’m Cora,” I introduce myself back, but I’m only focused on Slater.

“What do you like to do for fun, Cora?” the guy asks, and I don't answer. I don’t even fully process that he even asked a question, as Steph stares between the two of us with wide eyes.

Matt clears his throat, and I blink.

“Sorry, uh. I like to dance, what about you?” I ask, giving him my attention once again.

“Don’t worry about what he likes doing,” Slater growls, making my eyes go wide.

“Slater, don’t be rude,” I whisper hiss at him.

“That wasn’t rude, Cora. Rude would be telling him to fuck off.”

“Oh hell. I’m so sorry, my stepbrother is just really protective,” I apologize, and Matt nods, but it’s clear he’s no longer interested in trying to talk to me. The buzzer to indicate the end of the round sounds, and Slater takes Matt’s place, looking like he’s ready to drag me out of here.

“So, what do you like to do for fun?” I ask him, lifting a brow and smirking at him. “Other than cock blocking me?”

Slater scoffs at my question, and I cross my arms over my chest.

“Well, I like to kickbox... But I also enjoy making sure my little stepsister doesn’t end up on an episode of Dateline.”

“At this rate, I’m more likely to be on a show called the fifty-year-old virgin with all this obsessive, older stepbrother crap you keep pulling,” I snark back.

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