Page 23 of Power

“Though, makes me want to do things with pastries now.”

I roll my eyes. “Gross.”

“Yum. . .pastries.”

“Mindy. . .”

“Okay, fine. I’ll keep it clean. But for an apparent asshole, heisapologizing.”

“Yeah, I don’t know. I feel like I’m going to regret my response.”

“Maybe. Let’s ask our friends.”

“What—?”

“To all the drunk patrons of Bev’s!” Mindy shouts.

“Mindy, seriously don’t.”

“Survey time!” I shake my head and walk away, pretending this is not happening as she hollers the whole text thread to everyone within earshot.

“Why did he apologize?” she asks the entire fucking bar.

“He wants in your pants!”

“Maybe he’s being nice and knows he was wrong for whatever he did!”

“I’mma need a backstory!”

“Totally wants to get laid!”

“What’s the deal with the pastries?”

“Can we see a photo!”

“I’m also into pastries!” Rick, one of our regulars, shouts.

“Okay, that’s enough.” I snatch my phone back. “Really glad you’re all getting such a kick out of this.”

I lean over to take another order when my phone vibrates again, and I internally groan. What is he texting me now? I slide two drafts over and turn my back to the bar to look at my phone.

Mindy: What do you think he wants to do with your pastry?

Seriously? I glare at her from the other end of the bar.

Me: Drop it.

Mindy: Think he wants to lick off your frosting? Use his tongue and eat out all the goodness inside? Gobble, gobble!

I’m going to kill her. I look up, and she’s giggling like a goddamn schoolgirl.

“Since I employ you two to work, I expect you to do it!” Harry yells, thankfully shutting this down. Mindy salutes him with an “Aye, aye, Captain!” and returns to work.

I push any thoughts of his apology and mypastryaway and get back to tending the bar. This can be Monday’s problem.

“I honestly want to be you when I grow up.”

I laugh at Amy as I walk into the office. “Thanks. It’s amazing what the weekend off will do for the soul. How was your weekend?”Myweekend did nothing for my soul. All I could think about was that stupid text exchange. And now, walking into work, I’m prayinghe’shad enough time to forget about it completely.

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