Page 26 of Reuniting with Lucy

Mr. Snuggles had been hot on his heels ever since he walked in and now rubbed himself shamelessly on Jack’s leg. “You couldn’t have taken care of that?” Jack asked the cat.

“Pft. He’s more scared than I am,” Lucy said. “I still can’t believe he likes you so much. You sure you don’t have catnip in your pocket?”

“I don’t even know what catnip is.” He grabbed a paper towel to clean up the body and spotted the spatula in the garbage can when he went to throw it away.

“Just put that in the dishwasher,” he said, removing it from the trash.

“No way,” she said. The oven mitts, coat, and hat lay in a pile on the floor. “You’re lucky I don’t burn the place to the ground. I’m calling the pest people to give them a piece of my mind. They promised me no spiders.”

“You must really be afraid of spiders.”

“Not scared so much as completely grossed out. They seem unnatural—wicked somehow. I can’t explain it.”

“Well, that one won’t bother you anymore.”

“My hero,” she sang. “Thank you for taking care of that. After you scrub your hands with soap and scalding hot water, I’ll show you just how much I appreciate it.” The look in her eyes had him rushing to the sink, pumping soap into his hand.

He was still starving, but not so much that he’d turn down some afternoon delight. He scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom. “I have to fulfill my role of Neanderthal,” he said, tossing her onto the bed and diving on next to her as she giggled.

Mid-make-out, his stomach let out a loud growl.

“Sounds like you could use some lunch,” she said.

“Yeah. That’s why I called earlier. To see if you wanted to grab a bite. I didn’t know I’d be drafted into mortal combat.”

“Thanks again for helping me,” she said, sitting up and smoothing her hair. “Come on. I’ll buy you lunch.”

“I prefer this type of payment.” He smiled and flashed her a lecherous grin. “I do need food though. Damn it.”

It had barely been two weeks since they’d reunited, and only one that they’d been “together,” but so far, thing were going great. They’d clicked instantaneously, and the desire he’d felt from day one was still as strong as ever. To make up for lost time, he wanted to spend every spare minute with her.

Hand in hand, they walked to a little café near her condo. After his immediate need for sustenance was satisfied, they sipped their drinks and lingered.

“I meant to ask you,” he said. “Do you have any job openings?”

“Construction thing not working out?”

“Not for me,” he said with a smirk. “I met a kid at the gym that could use a job. Seems like he’d be a hard worker, and if not, I’ll kick his ass into being one.”

“Yes, actually. I’m hiring for the new place right now. I plan to train them at Drip One so that they’ll be ready to go when Drip Two opens.”

“Is that what you’re going to call it? What about Drippier? And then, when you open a third one, you can call it Drippiest.”

She laughed. “Yeah, I don’t think so. I’ll stick with the original plan to call it The Drip 2.0.”

“That’s good, because the outside sign came in yesterday. We’ll probably get it up this week. So, can I send Kenny by for an interview?”

“Sure, just let me know when.”

* * *

The following day, Lucy was in her office, searching the internet for the inspirational signs she wanted to order for the new shop. Rachel, one of her baristas, popped her head in to say Kenny had arrived for an interview.

Kenny was a tall, scrawny teenager. He wore slacks that were too short and a tie that was too long. His hair was wet and slicked back. He’d dressed to impress. Nice.

“Hello,” she said.

“Ma’am,” he said formally, sticking out his hand to shake. “My name is Kenneth James Perkins. My friend Jack McAllister sent me to inquire about a position in your fine establishment.”

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