Page 44 of Billionaire and the Barista

The phone started to ring. We both ignored it. I probably should have said something, but I enjoyed looking into her eyes.

“Can you get that? I can’t” Miguel called out.

The magical moment was broken. She spun and picked up the phone.

“Love Buns, how may I help you?”

As she listened, she pulled a cupcake from the case and boxed it up.

“No, no, and no.”

She poured coffee into a cup.

“I said no, goodbye.” She hung up.

She made a fierce angry face at me and then settled back into her regular pleasant expression.

“What was all that?” I asked.

She shook her head. “I’ll tell you later. Swamped.”

“What time do you close? I’ll come back.”

She sighed. “We close at seven. And I’d like that. Miguel, don’t charge him.”

“Miguel, charge me. I’m supporting your business, that means I pay.” I had the feeling that she gave away too many free drinks and cupcakes as it was.

My workday was overly long and overly dull. I didn’t wait until closing to be back at the café. I walked in the doors at six-thirty, and Gabriella was already wiping down tables, and about to mop the floor.

“It’s been a quiet afternoon. I want to lock that door at seven and leave. I swear there are some days that I have to lock the door just to get work done. And then there are days when everything is done when I lock up.”

“Have you had dinner?” I asked.

“I had a deli sandwich around five. But I’d be happy to hang out with you while you eat. If that’s okay.”

“Any time you want to just hang out with me is alright with me.” I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her against me. I tasted sugar on her lips.

“You’re going to get your suit dirty.” She pushed me away and wiped down the front of my clothes. “I’m covered in flour and sugar.”

She wasn’t, but I wasn’t going to complain about her hands on me.

“If you want something to eat or drink, you can just grab what you want.” She turned her attention back to wiping down the table and the chairs.

I grabbed her back against me and planted a kiss on her neck. “What I want isn’t behind the counter right now.”

“Nathan,” she giggled as she squirmed from my arms.

I kissed her again and let her go. I waited impatiently as she finished her work. The second she had the door locked I pulled her back into my arms and was kissing her again.

“Hey, Gabby,” a voice from somewhere behind us said. “Whoa, sorry. Going back into the kitchen.”

“Who the hell was that?”

Gabriella laughed and pushed me off her. “I think we traumatized Ricky. I’ll be right back.”

She disappeared into the kitchen, only to return moments later sans apron, and pulling on a hooded jacket. She extended her hand to me.

“Let’s get out of here. I need some fresh air. I can finish things up later.”

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