Gabe clicked off the television. He and Mason looked at each other, relief evident on both their faces. After months on the run, they could finally relax and settle down. Mason winked at Stacy, enjoying the slight blush that creeped across her collar bone every time he did that. She was easily embarrassed, though it didn’t show in the bedroom.
Her cell phone rang, and an official-sounding man asked for Stacy.
“This is she.” She listened to the man speak, nodding several times, though he couldn’t see her. “I understand. I’ll be in Monday to sign the documents. Thank you.”
She hung up, a bewildered expression on her face.
“What was that about?”
“Brad. He left his entire estate to me.”
“His estate?”
“Yes. He was such a recluse. Apparently, he’s a millionaire with no family and I’m his sole beneficiary. I don’t know how I feel about that.”
Gabe wrapped his arms around her. “You can donate the money if you don’t want it, none of us need it. Mason and I both have plenty, and with three adults in one household—”
Stacy looked at him, pulling away to search his eyes. “What are you saying?”
“You don’t think that either of us is going to step aside and let the other have you, do you?”
“Well—”
Stacy was speechless. How had a “welcome to the neighborhood” basket turned into this? She smiled. Who was she kidding? She couldn’t choose, and was glad that she wouldn’t have to. She beamed at Gabe before resting her head on his broad chest. She felt Mason reach out and set his good hand on her thigh. She had no idea how this was going to work out, but she knew she was right where she needed to be.
THE END
Bonus Story 4/10
“Here is your cappuccino sir, and your mocha will be coming right up.” I smiled at the well-dressed patron as I handed him the small cup. My friend and employee Donna was finishing the mocha for the other man sitting at the table.
“Thank you Vicky. Is that short for Victoria?” He asked after reading my name tag. His piercing blue eyes returned to meet mine. I had to give him credit, it was the only time he had looked at my chest. His eyes were amazing though.
“Yes it is, you can just call me Vicky, everyone does.” He smiled a devastatingly handsome smile, which with his blue eyes could entrance a woman if she were not careful. His black hair was swept back and fit his chiseled features. Out of my reach though, I thought to myself. By the cut of his gray suit he had some serious money; that was also shown by his ring and cufflinks.
The other man at the table got up and came over as Donna walked down with the mocha.
“Here you are sir,” she said with her own cute smile. He too was a handsome man. Short, red hair with rugged features and a ready smile. He wore a suit without a tie and it looked a little mussed, if clean. Both men looked like they were in good shape by the way their clothes hung on them.
“Thank you, Miss. How much do I owe you?”
“That will be eight dollars and forty five cents.” The redhead pulled out a money clip and peeled off a ten and told me to keep it. I thanked him.
“So, do you ladies like working here?”
“I do, it is a fun job,” I answered.
“Yeah, it is a good job,” said Donna. “Vicky is a great boss though and that makes a difference.” The man’s eyebrows went up and he looked a little embarrassed.
“Oh sorry, you are the manager.”
“I am also the owner,” I told him. He grinned.
“I must remind myself to avoid making assumptions. My name is Max, and my friend here is Axel. You have a lovely shop Vicky and equally lovely employees.” He was pretty charming. I could see his interest in me contained in his gaze and polite smile. Axel seemed to be giving me a subtle once over as well.
“Thank you Max. It is always nice to hear it, I am proud of the place. I opened in the winter and we are still doing well even with the better spring weather.” Axel was interested in the pastries and Donna went with him to the other end of the counter where the display was, to help him decide. She was always a little flirty. It was good for business and fun to watch. Although something about Max kept my attention.
“I have seen you in here before, Max, so tell me, what brings you back? Is it the atmosphere, or the location? I like feedback and I would appreciate any critique you can give me.” I heard myself saying. Great Vic, I told myself silently, now you are flirting too.
“Both I think. I work nearby and I am addicted to your cappuccinos.” He turned and looked over the place. He pointed at some of the paintings, mostly water colors that adorned the walls.
“It is a calm place without being boring. The jazz is a good choice by the way. No lyrics to distract, but not so downbeat it chases away customers.” He finished his critique. I had to admit I was pleased with his response.
“Thank you again. That was actually why I chose it. I worked as a barista going through college and when I decided to open a shop I knew what worked and what didn’t.” Donna came back down after finding the donuts Axel wanted, and he paid with another ten.
“Well ladies we will not keep you longer. We are holding up the line. I will spread the word about This Little Coffee Shop,” he said, mentioning the name of my shop. I was surprised that I had not noticed the two customers behind him. I managed to keep from blushing with my embarrassment as Max and Axel went over to a window table. I helped the new customers who also took tables, making the shop about half-filled. The other nice thing Max had not mentioned about the music is that it was piped into the customer area but not behind the counter. The sound around the customers kept them from over hearing what was said behind the counter. I had seen many, otherwise good baristas, fired due to overheard comments.
“Wow!” Donna said as we straitened up the counters. “That was cool. Those guys are hot, don't you think Vicky?” I glanced over to where they were sitting. They were looking out the window and chatting.
“I guess. A little out of our league though. At least Max is. Did you see his cuff links?” Donna laughed.
“You don't know who he is?” she said. I shook my head. Just then the two gentlemen got up and waved before leaving. It looked like Axel winked at me.
“No, should I?” I asked as we waved back.
“Have a great day!” I called out. I try to say that to every customer, but I caught a different tone to this time, more personal. Whoever they were, they had got to me.
“Should I know him?” I asked. Donna sighed and shook her head.
“You need to read the paper more girlfriend. Come on.” She grabbed my hand and dragged me out from behind the counter and to the front door. The two men were a block down and crossing the street. Donna pointed the other way.
“See that tower. The one with the trees on top?” I looked where she was pointing and recognized the building.
“It is the all green building. Almost completely self-sufficient, I did read about that,” I said a little defensively.
“Max Steele is the owner, I read a small article on him. He likes to stay under the radar but he has fifteen completely self-sufficient business towers in the United Sates. Four in the U.K. Not to mention several in Asia and the Middle East. Axel I don't know, but he obviously works with Max” As ditzy as Donna could be she certainly was surprising about what attracts her attention. My theory is she likes the dumb blond tag so she can surprise people. I turned back looking into my shop. No one was at the counter waiting and everyone looked occupied. Due to the angle of the spring sunlight I was able to see our refection. Donna was very curvy and a little shorter than I. She called herself fat but she was not, as far as I was concerned. She wore her apron snug around her waist and her blouse showed of her medium-sized breasts to good effect. With her heart-shaped face and cheery smile she was a great Barista. We had become fast friends shortly after I hired her. I was hoping to make her a manager one day.
I wore the same white blouse and black skirt with a black apron. I had my auburn hair up in a functional ponytail. I was recently taken to wearing snug sports bras so my larger chest was not quite the distraction to my male customers. I was proud though, of being able to keep my waist trim although my hips made sure I was considered voluptuous too. I learned long ago to accept what you are. And I did, mostly.
“Say hey babies, what’s your name babies, what’s your name!” came a rude call from a couple of passing young men. We turned as they passed, leering at us and looking our bodies up and down.
“Wanna go out on a date babies. We could show ya a good time ya know!” “You guys couldn't handle us. Move along, there is nothing to see here!” Donna said back to them, waving them away. I laughed. Donna was good at making me laugh. That did not please the young punks.
“What's your problem bitch you think you are all that! You ain’t nothing, you thinking we are nothing?” They were now stalking towards us menacingly. Over their shoulders I saw Axel and Max starting back down the street. They had seen the punks trying to intimidate us. It was working too. They looked mean and the demon tattoos I noticed on the skinny one gave off an ominous feeling. Just before they reached us, as we backed up to the window, a policeman called out.
“Hey, what are you two doing?!” He came rushing down the street.
“Get out of here and leave these ladies alone. I have warned you and I will haul your ass in. Go on, scram!” He was a big man and the punks backed off glaring at us, but speaking to the cop.
“We didn't mean anything by it, we just playing.” They turned and went off down the street glancing back now and then. My heart rate started going down.
“Thank you officer,” Donna said and I joined her.
“Yes thank you very much,” I said. I noticed a few of my patrons had come out too. It was nice to know they like me enough to take an interest. Glancing back across the street I saw Max and Axel getting into a town car, watching what was going on.
“No worries ladies, it’s my job. If they bother you again give me a call. Those kids are a pain in my ass.” I offered him a coffee and Donna led him into This Little Coffee Shop. I watched and waved as Max and Axel drove by.
“No problem!” I called out to reassure them. Then I went back to work where our regulars wanted to know what had happened. I kept thinking back to Max Steele and Axel looking as though they were going to charge across the street to my aid. This was immediately followed by the thought, no chance Vic, you know nothing about that kind of life. It did not work though. I kept thinking about them, off and on all day. But I knew I had no chance with him. After only speaking with the men for a few minutes there was no reason that should make me sad. It did though.
***
I finished the dishes and put them on the drying rack. I wished my little apartment had an actual dishwasher. Someday, I told myself, someday I won't be living above my shop either. I could not complain though. It was a nice little apartment and it was convenient to live here. Not to mention it came with the rent on my shop, which made the apartment a tax write-off. Donna came out of the bathroom and down the little hall.
“Thanks for dinner Vicky, I wish you would let me clean up one of these days.” I grinned at her.
“Not until you let me clean up at your place next time.” We invited each other to dinner at our respective homes once a week after work. It was a fun routine that we both cherished. Relaxing with a friend every now and then was a great break for me from running the shop.
“I think I changed my mind about this place.” Donna said while putting on her little Levi's jacket. I was surprised. She had never liked the idea of living above your place of work.
“What brought that about?” I asked quite surprised and handed her a plate of wrapped, leftover vegetarian lasagna.
“I don't know. I think it is because you do keep downstairs separate from up here. I never see invoices or receipts lying around in the apartment. For a workaholic like you that must be hard. I am proud of you.” She gave me a hug and I returned it warmly.
“That is your fault honey. You have taught me to not mix work with pleasure. I appreciate your support.” Donna smiled a natural, warm smile, which not everybody got to see. I always felt honored by it.
“Not a problem. I will always do what I can. Before you ask, yes I am taking a taxi home.” I laughed. She was right, I had been about to ask. I did not like her walking home after dark. Spring was not that far along yet so it was still getting dark earlier. Not that the neighborhood was that bad, it was just you never knew in this city. We said our goodbyes and she left. I went into the living room and watched out the window to see her wave a cab over. Just as it pulled up she turned and waved at me with an obvious laugh. Caught, I thought with a smile. I went and got a last glass of wine. It was not like she did not know I was a worrier.
I channel surfed the television until news came on. There was not much new. Donna complained I never kept up with the news, but I found it depressing. The cast of characters may change, the basic news never did, and it was usually bad. There had been a questionable flight out of JFK and they showed a shot of it circling to land. The shot of the city was beautiful and standing out to me was the tower with trees on the roof. Max Steele's building.
Now that I was alone and relaxing I allowed myself to ponder the billionaire a little more. He was handsome sure enough. From the way his clothes hung on him I could tell he was muscular and fit. It was confusing why a guy like him would show interest in a small business owner like me. A man like that had his pick of any beautiful woman in the world. Then again Axel might be more my fit. He did not seem so upper crust. After pondering it and sipping my wine I came to the conclusion they were just nice upstanding members of the community. Otherwise it made no sense, particularly Max. Part of me wished it did make sense though. There was something in his eyes that had made my stomach flutter and my heart miss a beat. Then again, Axel was the sort of man who got that sort of reaction from me too. It had been a long time since I had felt that. Even then it had not been so strong.
“Forget about it Victoria,” I told myself firmly. “Ultimately they have better things to do and so do you!” I finished my wine and decided it was time to go to bed. I shut off the lights and went into my bedroom. I took my clothes off and as I went to put them in the hamper I remembered something Donna had said about my tendencies to be OCD.
“Once a day do something to sabotage yourself. Nothing big, but in little ways. Shake yourself up.” I giggled to myself and tossed the clothes in the corner. Away from the hamper. Take that neat freak. I laughed softly as I put on my white tank top and shorts, then crawled into bed. It did not take long before I was asleep.
I had a dream I was in Central Park along the pond. I was sitting on a white blanket and was startled I was in a white teddy with net stockings and a garter. It was very revealing and for some reason it did not seem strange. Nor did it seem strange that Max Steele and his friend Axel were on the blanket with me. They was wearing silk boxers and nothing else. Their muscular chests were, to me, breathtaking. Axel was a little leaner but no less enticing. Max offered a crystal flute of champagne and Axel fed me a designer chocolate. As I swallowed the marvelous confection Axel touched my cheek, staring into my eyes. Such a powerful man with so much tenderness caused a warmth deep inside that made me flush. His hand moved down my neck to my shoulder and began slipping the shoulder strap of my top down. Then there was an alarm that made me jerk and suddenly I was sitting up in bed. The warmth inside me remained until I looked at my clock and realized the alarm was fifteen minutes early. It was not my alarm. It was the alarm for my shop!