Then I hear a softer, feminine voice answering his lower tone.
Before I can think better of it, my head snaps towards the sound, completely ignoring the fact that this means risking him seeing me. Not because I’m embarrassed about working here, but because after my dumpster fire of an interview, I’d rather not face him again.
It also doesn’t help that the man isgorgeous. In a clean-cut,should-be-illegalkind of way. Meanwhile, I look like Ursula just crawled out of bed and decided to sling lattes for the day.
Dammit. I knew I should’ve washed my hair this morning.
When I finally focus on who he’s talking to, my brow furrows. Standing beside him is a teenage girl—thirteen, maybe fourteen—tall, with sharp cheekbones and the same greyish eyes as his.
She’s smiling at something he says, nudging him in the ribs.
He has a daughter?
The young girl heads straight to the booth in the far-left corner by the window, sliding in like it’s her usual spot, even though I’ve never seen her here before.
Worth turns from her, scanning the café, and his eyes land on the bar.
I duck so fast behind the counter, my knees slam on the floor.
“Ow.”
At the same time, Demi steps out of the kitchen and freezes when she sees me crouched like a fugitive. “Mya, what the hell?—”
“Shhhhh!” I hiss, pressing my index finger to my lips.
Her mouth twists. “My bad.” She tiptoes away, disappearing to the opposite side of the café like we’re in the middle of a spy op.
If any customers notice my ridiculous behavior, they don’t comment.
Thank God Tiana isn’t here. She’d have a field day with this.
As if on cue, my phone buzzes in my apron pocket.
TJ:
Why are you playing hide and seek at work, MJ? Are you drunk?
My gaze shoots up towards the security camera. How could I forget? My sister has remote access to the feed on her phone.
Tiana takes her job a little too seriously. But I get it. The owner, Mr. Patel, is a sweet older man who’s been hinting for years that he’s ready to retire and sell the place. TJ’s a social media influencer—good at it, too—and even though she likes what she does, she’s always had bigger plans. She was supposed to start a business degree before her brand blew up. And when the followers and sponsorships hit, Tiana pressed pause to ride the wave. It’s worked for her, but she’s not about to pass up a realfoothold in the business world. Owning something of her own has always been her dream, and she loves Willow’s so much she treats it like it’s already hers.
I can respect that, but it doesn’t change the fact that she’s a total creep for watching me like some café security overlord.
I glare at the little black dome and flip it the finger.
Another vibration.
TJ:
You’re fired.
Buzz off. I’m kinda freaking out here.
TJ:
Why???
Look at who’s in line…