Page 102 of Push My Buttons
"Show me!" she demands, pulling out her phone. "Do you have a picture?"
I shake my head. "It's at home, but it's perfect. Off-white, shimmery, with this flowing hem..."I pause, a grin forming. "Actually, I have something in mind for the party. Something that will drive both of them absolutely crazy."
"I'm listening," Maya says, leaning forward with interest.
"I'd need your help," I sign, glancing around to make sure Marcus isn't lurking nearby. "Can you do me a favor? And can you help me get ready on Sunday?"
"For whatever devious plan you're hatching? Absolutely."
I grin, already imagining Jace and Theo's faces when they see what I have planned. "I'll tell you more after our shift. It's a bit... complicated to explain here."
Maya mimes zipping her lips. "Your secret's safe with me."
The rest of the afternoon passes in a flurry of customers and coffee. By the time closing approaches, my feet ache and my head throbs dully, a reminder that I'm still recovering. Maya helps me with the final cleanup before she leaves, giving me a quick hug.
"Text me when you get home," she instructs. "And don't forget to tell me about this mysterious plan of yours."
After she's gone, I move through the closing routine on autopilot—wiping tables, restocking supplies, counting the register. The café feels eerily quiet without the hum of conversation and the hiss of the espresso machine. Every smallnoise makes me glance up, my nerves still raw from everything that's happened.
I'm just finishing the floor when my phone buzzes with a text from Jace.
[Almost done? I can walk you home.]
My heart warms at his offer, even as I type back: [I'm fine. Almost finished.]
His response is immediate: [Please let me. It's late and I need a break from coding anyway.]
I consider refusing, asserting my independence yet again. But the truth is, I'd welcome his company for the walk home. Not because I'm afraid—though I am, more than I care to admit—but because I want to see him.
[Okay,] I text back. [10 minutes.]
I'm wiping down the last table when I hear the office door open behind me. Marcus's heavy footsteps cross the room, and I stiffen instinctively.
"Almost done?" he asks, his voice closer than I expected.
I turn to find him leaning against the counter, watching me with an expression that makes my skin crawl. I nod and point to the clock, hoping he'll understand I'll be finished soon.
"No rush," he says, moving closer. "We should talk about your... situation."
I frown, not understanding what he means. My hands move automatically to sign a question, but he cuts me off with a dismissive wave.
"Don't bother with that hand-waving crap. I know you can understand me just fine." His eyes travel down my body, lingering in ways that make me want to cover myself. "You've been missing a lot of shifts lately. That's a problem for me."
I take a step back, uncomfortable with his proximity. My phone buzzes in my pocket—probably Jace saying he's nearby. I reach for it, but Marcus's hand shoots out, grabbing my wrist.
"I'm not done talking," he says, his grip tightening painfully. "I've been thinking about how you can... make it up to me."
I try to pull away, but he holds firm, stepping closer until I'm backed against the table.
"See, I know about your little side hustle," he continues, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "The camming thing? Very enterprising. I've actually given you quite a bit of money through that channel. I think I deserve some... appreciation."
My blood turns to ice. How does he know about the camming? I've been so careful to keep my work life separate.
"Come on, Wren," he says, his free hand reaching to touch my face. "Just a little thank you. On your knees. I'll even pay you for those missed shifts."
I jerk my head away from his touch, disgust and fear mingling in my stomach. He laughs, the sound ugly and harsh.
"Playing hard to get? After all those things I've seen you do on camera?" His hand slides down to my hip, fingers digging in possessively. "I've been a good customer. Very generous. The least you could do is show some gratitude."
