Page 91 of Average Joe

Fuck me. I couldn’t hide my grin. “Coming up.”

I jogged to my house and took care of the dishes. Then I returned with a box of Celestial Seasonings and Alice’s favorite teacup because I had a feeling my aunt and a warm cup of chamomile had nursed Marley through many a grieving night.

Marley didn’t say a damn thing, just scooted over and made room for me on the sofa. An open bottle of Guinness waited for me on the coffee table.

Marley fell asleep an hour later with her head on my lap. At midnight, I followed her to her bed. At six AM, I woke with Ginger snuggled against my left hip and Bruce’s hot breath on my right cheek. Marley was MIA, but still, I’d never been more content.

Marley

Jazz, my newest employee, leaned over the ice machine, her sheer white teddy riding high to reveal the glitter-dusted globes of her ass. “What do you suppose they’re doing over there?”

I glanced past the Ford Focus at the window and across the street to the once empty lot. Four men had worked tirelessly since sunrise. The fruits of their labor? A two-story finished frame.

“Looks like they’re building a coffee stand,” I said over my shoulder.

The man in the Ford stroked his swollen, purple cock, staring at my tits, eyes glazed, but paying no mind to our conversation. Once again, I offered him his coffee with cream. This time, he blinked away the lust haze and accepted his drink.

I forced a smile, mustered sugar through the sour tang in my mouth, and said, “Have a great day,” before sliding my window shut. The masturbators got off faster if we watched them finish, and some paid well if we did. I never watched. No tip was worth that freak show.

“Hmm. A little competition. Sounds exciting.” Jazz’s deep rasp matched her appearance—tall, dark, and gorgeous. Face art was her forte, and every shift she arrived in a new disguise. Were I to bump into her in public, sans her barista costume, I wouldn’t recognize the girl.

“That lot has been vacant since I’ve been here. Glad to see someone moving in.” Feet aching, I headed to the closet and kicked off my peep-toe platforms.

A familiar rumble sent a shiver over my skin, drawing my attention to the security feed. And oh, jeez, my sappy, syrupy heart beat double-time.

Joe rolled into line behind a black Lexus. He wore his helmet, dark glasses, and jeans that hugged his solid thighs.

I shoved my feet back into my heels, checked myself in the mirror, and poured drinks while Jazz took care of customers. When it came Joe’s turn at the window, I shooed her away and said, “This one’s mine.”

The man stole my air, and I drew a deep breath before greeting him. “You’re not here to harass me, are you?”

“Tried to call you,” he said, removing his Oakleys, flashing a gorgeous grin. His ridiculous muscles bulged and flexed, making it impossible to think straight.

“Sorry. Been busy.” True. I hadn’t time to check my cell all day. Sunny days brought the boys out to play. “What’s up?”

“Bruce dug under the fence.” His whole body shook with laughter, those eye wrinkles making an appearance. “Found him stuck halfway through.”

“Oh, my God.” I laughed. “Is my baby okay?”

“Dog’s fine. Had to tear a few boards out to free him.”

“I’m so sorry.” Not sorry. Not one little bit upset that Joe paid me a visit.

“No need to apologize. Patched up the fence. Ginger and Bruce are safe in my backyard, happy as clams.”

“Thanks, Joe.”

He nodded toward the crew across the street, a playful twinkle in his eye. “Looks like you’ve got some competition moving in.”

“Yeah. Seems so.”

Those eyes brightened from brilliant to blinding. “Could be fun.”

“How’s that?”

“You got competition.” He waggled his brows. “You’re gonna have to get creative.”

“Only if it’s a topless stand,” I retorted, rolling my eyes.

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