Page 96 of Average Joe

Bless his heart for knowing when to change the subject.

“Haven’t delved too deep. Whoever the owner is has brass balls, that’s for sure.”

Prius Guy sped by, slammed his brakes, and rolled to the window.

“This guy for real?” Joe growled.

I rolled my eyes. “First customer every morning.”

“He looks like a serial killer.”

“He’s harmless.” I waved his comment away. “And the most well mannered of all my customers.” I refrained from mentioning he’d never arrived more than ten minutes before opening until the day Joe had beat him to the window.

The Prius shut off, and I could swear the man was glaring at us through his side-view mirror.

“I better get in there.” I reached for the door handle.

“Hold up.” Joe hopped out of the truck, jogged around the hood, and opened my door.

“That wasn’t necessary.”

“Says who?”

“Um, me?”

“Shut it, neighbor. I open doors for my ladies. My mom would slap me silly if I didn’t do otherwise.”

Myladies.Like he’d laid claim. Crazy how that statement didn’t bother me in the least. “Okay then, for Mama Joe. Not because you’re my boyfriend or anything.”

Joe’s truck was tall, and I was short, so I didn’t protest when he gripped my waist and helped me down, nor did I mind when he kissed my forehead the second my feet hit the pavement. I might have swooned when he moaned and squeezed my ass before letting go.

He followed me to the door, though it was mere steps away, and waited, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his sweats, until I’d entered and fired up the power on all machines.

“I have a few meetings today,” he informed me. “Should be back around noon.”

If I had it my way, I’d tuck him in the closet for whenever I needed a quick Joe fix. “I can get a ride home.”

“You’re leaving for your mom’s tomorrow.” His gaze dropped to the floor, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “Getting my fill of you today. I’ll be here to drive you home. Got an issue with that?”

“No issues whatsoever.” My cheeks ached from grinning so wide.

He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth and studied my mouth, nodding. A million questions swirled in those eyes.

“What?” I asked.

Joe sighed. He looked over my shoulder before he hit me with a compassionate gaze. “Why do this if you’re the boss? Not judging. Genuinely curious. Why aren’t you more behind the scenes?”

“If I expect my girls to serve coffee half-naked, I should be willing to do the same. Wouldn’t you appreciate and respect your boss so much more if they were down in the trenches with you?”

“I suppose.”

Another car pulled in, the headlights blinding. A quick glance at the clock reminded me it was time to dress. “I gotta go.”

He leaned forward as if to kiss me goodbye, but I stepped away.

“Not here. I’m on the job.”

“And the horny fuckers who drive through will tip better if they think they stand a chance with you.”

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