Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 86158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86158 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“Don’t be stupid.”
“Not bein’ stupid,” I replied through clenched teeth.
“Well, don’t get mad,” Charlie said in exasperation. “It’s not like I’m being unreasonable.”
“Don’t like bein’ called stupid.” I reached up and rubbed the back of my neck. It had already been a long ass day of work and I wasn’t really interested in arguing with her.
“Oh,” she said quietly. She must have seen something in my expression because hers immediately softened. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t calling you stupid.”
“I know that,” I replied, shaking my head.
“I won’t say it again.”
“It’s no big deal.”
“Still,” she said, tilting her head to the side. “You don’t like it so I won’t say it. Easy.”
“You’re not really makin’ a convincin’ argument that I should give up seein’ you bent over the bed takin’ my cock when you’re bein’ all sweet like that,” I told her seriously.
Charlie jerked in surprise and her eyes widened. “You’ve got a dirty mouth.” She chuckled. “I’m starting to rethink my position.”
I waited.
“No,” she said, scrubbing her hands over her face. “You should move in. Get out of the cabbage house. We can keep our hands to ourselves.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” I replied.
“I have superior self-restraint,” she said cheerfully.
“I do not.”
“You’ll have to learn, then,” she said, wiggling her finger at me. “Now make yourself useful, would you? I need that dresser against the wall.”
I nodded and moved the dresser, helping her with the other pieces of furniture as she pointed to where everything should go. Some of it she could’ve easily done herself, but I didn’t mind doing it for her. If I was honest with myself, I would’ve painted her fucking toenails if she’d asked me. There was something about Charlie that just made me feel good. When I was around her, shit just felt lighter.
“So, you’re almost done with school, huh?” I asked as she tore open a box.
“Yep. I have to finish this term and then I’m home free.”
“You got plans for after?”
“Yes.”
I waited but she didn’t say anything else.
“Care to elaborate?”
Charlie glanced at the door to her room like she was making sure no one was there.
“I’m gonna buy the coffee cart,” she said conspiratorially. “But it’s not a sure thing so don’t repeat that.”
“The place where you and Kara work?” I asked in surprise.
“That’s the one,” she said happily. Her whole energy changed as she spun toward me. “So, I’ve done the numbers, right? And I can buy Mal out. I’ve already talked to her about it and since she’s ready to retire she’s considering it.” She tiptoed toward the door and quietly closed it. “I’ve been saving as much as I can and I got lucky on some investments. I think if I can up the revenue at the shop by just fifteen percent, I’d have enough in a year to open another cart. I’d have to do some cool events, make some specialty drinks for holidays, that sort of shit. But I could start a whole brand, you know? Maybe even have a whole bunch of carts eventually or roast my own coffee.”
“Damn,” I replied, impressed.
“Sorry,” she said, grinning. She threw her hands up in the air. “I’ve just been dying to tell someone! I even have the second location all picked out. Tommy just bought this small commercial property less than a mile from the club. It’s an old corner store that he’s hoping to lease and the parking lot would be perfect.”
“You’re fuckin’—” I just shook my head. I didn’t even know what to say. She was just so goddamn gorgeous all lit up the way she was. Talking about her plans and sharing her secret with me.
“What?” she said, deflating a little. “Does it sound stupid?”
“Hell, no,” I replied instantly. “You sound determined and fuckin’ brilliant. You know those boys like their coffee, and if you’re right down the road they’ll stop brewin’ the shit themselves and buy from you in bulk.”
“That’s what I was thinking, too,” she replied excitedly. “Plus, think of the traffic in the summer! If I can make some exceptional smoothies and iced drinks, people will stop by on their way to the river and the park and shit!”
“Absolutely,” I said firmly.
Charlie sighed happily. “I think it’s really going to work. The cart I’m trying to buy now is in a really good spot and does great business already. I don’t think that it’ll be that hard to increase the sales just fifteen percent.”
“You can do it.”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t think I’m gonna be able to move in though,” I said regretfully.
“What?” she asked in confusion. “Why?”
“Cause seein’ you all fired up when you get this whole thing started?” I shook my head solemnly. “No fuckin’ way can I keep my hands to myself.”
“Funny,” she said flatly.
“I’m not jokin’,” I replied, moving toward her. “Jesus, when you’re into somethin’ you fuckin’ glow.”