Page 61 of Wanting More
"The thing is, it’s kind of true," she admitted with a sly unapologetic little smirk. "You'd be surprised just how many girls want to ride my face at night and then pretend as if nothing happened in the light of day."
Sapphire desperately hoped she wasn't blushing as she totally pictured one of those girls that confronted her in the bathroom doing just that with this rebel chick.
"So yeah, I figured with all the rumors you had to deal with, me trying to be your friend—justfriends," she held up her hands, making sure she knew that's all she wanted, "might just not be what you needed at the time. It would be like adding fuel to a forest fire. Though, I think the whole thing is fucked up."
Memories of her hands on both men's bare chests last night marched back through her mind making Sapphire bite her lip. If anyone knew what she had done or, worse, the way her heart had sped up, then she may as well have Hayden rename the caféThe Bang Train,starring the one infamous Sapphire Waters.
"Well, you're here now," she said, clearing her throat and hopefully her mind. "My name is Sapphire, as you already know." She held out her hand toward the girl.
Eagerly she took her hand and shook it. "Mine's Finley Upton. But you can call me Finn, and if you want, I mean if you're interested, I can renew my book and let you borrow it once I'm done."
"Oh yeah, that would be great. Thanks. I-" Her words trailed off as she listened to the sounds of footsteps from above.
Checking her watch, Sapphire grinned before looking at Finn. "Hey, do me a favor and just play along."
Clearly confused, Finn nodded and sat back down on the low couch while Sapphire rushed back around the counter and changed the song just as the door at the top of the stairs opened.
Madonna'sHolidaywas just starting through the air when the footsteps sounded louder and faster down the long stairs, and the door at the bottom burst open.
With his hand still on the knob and a strand of blond hair hanging loose from the rest in front of his face, Joel gave her a narrowed stare with a violent smile that bared his teeth.
"I know you changed it." Joel pointed accusingly at her. "I for sure heard the sweet fucking sounds of some throwback Lauryn Hill a minute ago. I know this because I thanked God himself for delivering me from your neurotic eighties obsession. So, what in the total fuck?!"
Sapphire looked properly shocked, and her tone sickly sweet. "I have no idea what you're talking about. We have just been down here listening to the tried-and-true sounds of eighties classics. Right?" She looked over to Finn, sending her a silent request for a backup.
Finn nodded as she took a sip of her coffee. "Yep, just got done listening to some Anita Baker." Finn then gave him a sudden reproving look. "Oh God, how embarrassing for you. Did you happen to confuse Lauryn Hill with Anita-"
"Fuck off, Upton," Joel pointed at her. "I may not listen to a lot of R&B, but I sure as fuck know the classics, and I know the difference betweenSweet Lovefrom the goddamn Fugees."
Looking between the two, Sapphire asked. "You two know each other?"
"Not really," Joel grumbled as he made his way to the counter. "I just know the person who is in my way every damn time I go to Judge's Pick and Pull junkyard and see someone always in my way salivating over that old ass Indian Challenger they're never going to get."
Finn stood up, righteous anger flaring in her eyes. "I'm going to get it!"
Joel scoffed and gave Sapphire a wink, and pointed to the espresso machine. She sighed and made him his usual as he looked back at Finn. "Yeah, ok then. It’s been pushing nearly two years now. Sooner or later, one of the guys, Rory, I think, down at the meat packing plant, is going to beat you to it."
Finn's face went pale, and Sapphire wanted to smack Joel. She could only assume the Indian Challenger he referred to was a motorcycle and one Finn desperately wanted.
"Stop fucking with her," Hayden's deep voice echoed off the stairway hall, heralding his commanding presence before he stepped down into the café. He looked at Finn's distraught face. "You'll get it. Judge is holding it for you,"
Finn seemed to relax at the reminder before throwing a murderous scowl at Joel. "Hear that asshole?"
Joel shrugged. "Yeah, he may be, but judging by your reaction, you don't seem too confident in that."
"Ignore him," Hayden advised as he sat down on the couch opposite Finn's seat. "You still driving that scooter?" he asked, looking beyond her to the empty curb outside.
Finn's shoulders dropped at the reminder of her current ride. "Yeah," she grumbled, pointing to the far wall. "It's parked on the side."
Joel's eyes brightened at that. "Ooh, nice. I love that scooter. Those things are kind of zippy and fun as shit to ride." And as if the idea suddenly struck him, his face lit up with delightful mischief that reminded Sapphire of a little boy. "Hey, give me your keys. I want to ride it down the street."
Finn looked surprised at that.
"If he breaks it, then he'll have to buy you that challenger," Hayden offered diplomatically.
Finn practically launched her keys at Joel, who caught them with one hand. "Please break it," she instructed.
Joel let out a bark of laughter and walked to the door with Finn in tow. "I bet you get amazing mileage on that thing. Hell, you could fart in it and get about ten miles on it."
