“Shit,” Evan said. He blew out a breath and looked at Will. “How’d you handle this part of the fatherhood business, Campbell?”
Will’s good humor faded. He sipped his beer before replying, “I wasn’t there when Katie was born.”
There was a pause as the others processed that. Will took another drink, anticipating a slew of questions that thankfully never came.
“Guess I made that awkward,” Evan said eventually. “Sorry, mate.”
“It’s fine.”
It wasn’t and they all knew it. It put a noticeable damper on the evening. Feeling responsible for that, Will finished his beer and excused himself, using Katie as his reason. No one tried to convince him to stay.
All in all, the bonding experience had gone much as these kinds of things had since Katie entered his life. Will wasn’t a carefree single guy without responsibilities who could prowl for a handy hookup and talk about frivolous purchases. Nor was he married or armed with classic newborn stories to toss around with the older, more settled players.
In short, he didn’t really fit in with his teammates at all…and he had no clue how that could ever change.
Chapter Six
It was the start of Jasmine’s third week working at Steamy Beans and she was seconds away from tearing off her apron and quitting. How on earth was she not qualified enough to work somewhere that didn’t put her in direct contact with people?
That was the sad fact she had faced after three solid weeks of filling out applications and reaching out to every contact she had in hopes of finding work. The phrase, It’s who you know, had bitten her right in the ass, as the people she knew were either dancers or worked retail.
Now she spent what time she wasn’t dedicating to staying in top physical condition at a place that put her at daily risk of tossing hot beverages on people who annoyed her. She’d actually started a list of the biggest culprits.
The corporate types who loved to order the cheapest cup of coffee and camp out with their laptops for the entire day…without tipping.
The overbearing dog owners who didn’t seem to find it unsanitary to parade their pets into an establishment selling food.
The revolving carousel of frat guys who insisted on hitting on her and the other employees, often getting handsy while they were at it.
The oversharer who wanted to recap their entire day while holding up the line of grumbling customers behind them.
The disrespectful viewers who thought everyone in the place wanted to hear their obnoxious YouTube videos. Why bother with earphones?
Jasmine’s list grew every day. The customer currently placing her order while Jasmine managed the cash register was about to make it to the top.
“I’d like a cappuccino with no milk and a banana nut muffin warmed in the microwave for fifteen seconds,” the woman ordered. “It’s for here, not to-go.”
Forcing herself not to roll her eyes, Jasmine said, “Sure thing,” as she typed the order into the register.
“No, you entered an espresso,” the woman corrected. “I want a cappuccino with no milk.”
Jasmine dug for patience and forced a smile. “Yes, ma’am. A cappuccino without milk is an espresso.”
The woman’s nostrils flared. Her round, ruddy cheeks filled with color. Knowing what was coming, Jasmine choked down what she wanted to say and held up a hand.
“You know what? I must have pressed the wrong button,” she said. “I’ll fix it.”
“Don’t hold your hand up to me like that,” the woman snapped. “How rude!”
Jasmine’s spine straightened to its full height. In the back of her mind, a voice told her to remember that her sister had not only gone out on a limb to get her this job, she was letting her and her cat live with her and share her bedroom rent-free at the moment. If she went off on this customer like she wanted to, she’d be sleeping under a pink canopy with her creepy dolls that night.
“I apologize,” Jasmine said through gritted teeth. “I’ll get your muffin for you.”
“Fifteen seconds, don’t forget.”
Rather than reply, Jasmine moved over to the pastry case to retrieve the muffin. She exchanged glances with Isabelle, the barista working with her that morning, and knew Isabelle had been listening to the exchange. She issued the eye roll Jasmine hadn’t been able to before reaching for one of the large cappuccino cups and starting to prepare the woman’s espresso. It made Jasmine feel better.
She placed the muffin in the microwave and entered the requested fifteen seconds before turning to collect the woman’s