Page 23 of Rhet

“Can I skip this line and show them the phone?” I lean to the side to take in the people in front of me.

“How many people are there?” Julian asks. In the background, a baby cries.

“About one fucking million.” This is frustrating, but I need some coffee.

“Don’t cut the line. There is no special line for online orders. It’s just one line,” Julian then coos, obliviously talking to his baby. “My sweet pea.”

“Fuck that.” I pass the line, not bothering to look at the people on it.

I lean forward and smile at the cute barista. “Hey, beautiful. I need your help.”

“You skipped the line?” Julian groans in my ear.

I totally ignore him. “I have a meeting and I can’t be late. Can you help me, doll face?”

I nod yes at her. In true mirroring fashion, she nods back and takes my phone.

“Oh, hell no,” someone shouts from the back of the line.

I turn to my side, leaning causally on the corner of the counter as I take in an African American woman of average height, dressed in a suit that’s way too big for her.

“Did you skip the line?” she asks from her spot, her arms folded over her chest.

“I did. What are you going to do about it?” I wait, tapping my finger on the counter. “Exactly, nothing.”

“You can’t skip the line. Some of us have been waiting here for more than twenty minutes,” she complains.

I wonder what kind of body she has under those rags. Why the hell is that suit so big? Turning back to the counter I say to the barista “Hey sweetheart, add a cheese Danish for me too.”

“Omg you are unbelievable?” my challenger screams.

“Who the hell is screaming at you, Rhet?” Julian question.

“A woman who’s hungry apparently.”

I turn my attention back to her. “Look, I ordered on the app.”

“And so did I,” she responds. “You need to show people some respect and go stand at the back of the line.”

She has some nerve. I will give her that.

“Says who?”

“Says me.” She drops her hands at her sides and clenches her fist. She’s getting angry and for some reason it’s making me unusually happy.

“What’s your name?” I lean fully on the counter and with Julian still in my ear

“None of your damn business. Get in line.” She’s got spunk.

“Okay,None Of Your Damn Business. What’s your order number?”

“Again, don’t skip the line,” she replies.

Everyone in the line turns to stare at her, but no one backs her up. I like that she’s sticking up for herself.

“I like ordering online. It makes the wait shorter. I don’t have to be here when they make my order, you know. You chose to stand there. I like winning, so I will stand here. Choices, right?” I shrug my shoulders.

“You’re a disrespectful, rude man.” She stomps.

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