Page 42 of Fast and Dirty

“That was you?” I nod. “Well aside from that unfortunate mishap, the biscuits were out of this world!”

My chin dips forward. “Really?”

“Yes,” she says like it’s obvious. “They were the big sell of the day, apparently.”

“Who knew… maybe I’ll try to make some at home. I’ll have Agnes operate the oven for me though, obviously,” I laugh at myself. “Toby, call me when your first day of work is over,” I throw over my shoulder as I turn for the door.

I leave Toby and Hattie to get acquainted, or rather, leave Toby to grill the poor girl about her brother’s dating history and fitness routine.

With nothing better to do, I decide to wander on down to the Crafty Coyote. I’m craving a pint right about now before I head back to Agnes’s house or until Toby runs screaming up the street looking for me.

I open the heavy door and let it close slowly behind me with a long creak. Ah… who knew I’d ever take comfort in the smell ofstale beer while Wipe Out plays on the flat screen in the corner. Or Cheyenne’s sour puss greeting me from behind the bar.

“You’re still here,” she mutters as I plop myself on a stool.

“The usual, please,” I smile cheerily to piss her off and she shakes her head as she draws me a pint of BushyTail Ale.

“Would you like my job with that?”

“Eh?” I frown as I reach for the glass she’s sliding toward me.

A shaft of light momentarily intrudes on the dim ambience, cuing me to look up and see the man walking through it. The heavy wood door closes slowly behind West, whose mechanic shirt is untucked and unbuttoned over some kind of tank top, his hair tucked under a ball cap with a few curls peeking out at the nape of his neck and his blue eyes dead set on me. He pauses a moment, and then continues his trek in my direction with a relaxed smile.

As he closes in, I feel like a tool as I stare back at him, not sure what’s happening here but not daring to look away.

“Princess,” is his jovial greeting.

“Hey,” I smile up at him casually.

“Plans tonight?”

“Nope, just killing time.”

“IPA, West?” I hear Cheyenne ask from what sounds like some nether region. It’s hard to tell when I’m trapped in a blue trance.

“Yeah, thanks,” he answers, not taking his eyes off mine. Heaven forbid he break the spell and we just hang out normally. Not that I’m complaining. Neither is Vaggie Sue. “For a minute there, I was thinking I won our little game of text tag,” he raises a lazy eyebrow. “Can I assume that means you’re letting the whole Rolls money thing go?”

“No, you can assume that this spoiled little princess”—I point both of my own fingers down at myself—“got her cell service cut off from her rich daddy.” I spit out cynically before letting my arms flop down on the bar just in time for my beer tobe placed in front of me.

And God bless West for not commenting and simply pressing a warm hand to my back as he accepts his beer. Cheyenne rolls her eyes and walks away, muttering something about how all the good men in this town only go for the newcomers.

“Am I a homewrecker and you didn’t tell me?” I raise an eyebrow at West and he closes his eyes with an annoyed headshake.

“No, that has more to do with Kaleb than it does me. He’s the guy I bought the shop from.”

“Ah.” I rest my head on my hand, and he pins me with those blue orbs.

“Seriously, she’s made her attempts at flirting and that’s it. I go for misfit former rich girls with chestnut hair, and if she’s in a wedding dress, so much the better.”

“Ah…good to know.” Plus it gives me the warm fuzzies.

“You okay?” He asks, getting more comfortable on his stool and turning towards me as he takes a gulp.

“Yeah, actually. I went and got my phone service restored and my best friend is in town for a visit - oh, possibly relocating actually. He surprised me and now he’s helping out at the doggy salon while he tries to bag Hattie’s brother. I should probably warn her he’s on the rebound,” I hold up a finger in thought. “And oh, I get to wake up at four in the morning to try working with Bonnie at her espresso stand by the gas station tomorrow.”

West nods along with my word vomit, lips pursed. “Well first of all, I want to meet your best friend before he leaves. And second of all, you’re going to do great, princess. I mean what can go wrong at a coffee hut?”

“Well,” my eyes dart to the ceiling, “we’ve seen what happens when you let me near heat and I do believe making espresso drinks involves steam and hot liquids - get your mind out of the gutter,” I admonish when I see the knowing smirk try to expand on his handsome face.Boys.“Anyway, I’ve never hadanything to do with coffee besides placing my order the snooty cafe in my parents building.”

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