Coffee Cup Confessions - Trish Williford Page 0,18
wrote to me, and hand it to her. “I can’t accept the money.”
Mandy frowns at the check and envelope in her hand. “Excuse me? You went out with her twice, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“So, what’s the problem? You’ve fulfilled your part of the contract. Here is my part of the contract. Take the money. I don’t want you coming back and trying to sue me for not paying you for services.”
“Record me on your phone. You’ll have evidence, if that will make you feel better,” I tell her.
She’s skeptical, but she pulls her phone from her pocket and holds it up to me. “It’s recording.”
“I’m Jake Malone, and I officially consider the contract that Mandy Gallagher and I had void. I refuse to accept payment for taking Misha Gallagher on two dates.”
“And why are you refusing?”
Deciding honesty is the best way to do this, I take a deep breath and go with it. “I’m refusing because I am interested in Misha, and although I might not know her well yet, a possibility of a future with her is definitely worth more than a paycheck to me. No matter how much.”
Her frown grows deeper. “You like her? Seriously?”
“Why’s that so hard to believe?”
Mandy shrugs. “She’s just … plain. Kind of boring. You’re extremely attractive. It seems like you could have just about any girl you’d want.”
“And I want her.”
Mandy stops recording and shoves her phone back in her pocket. Fine. Whatever. But listen, you won’t say anything to Misha about me booking the dates, right?”
“I won’t as long as you don’t bring anything up to her about it.”
She extends her hand. “Deal.”
Taking her hand in mine, I agree, “Deal.”
Mandy retreats back to her vehicle and drives away without another word.
When I hop back into my truck, the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders. I glance at the box of desserts on the passenger seat and smile to myself, thinking of the girl who baked them.
Definitely worth it.
9
Misha
Baking the perfect cookie isn’t as simple as one would think. Some people like them soft and gooey, and others prefer thin and crunchy. I’ve been tasked with bringing cookies for dessert for family dinner today, and I’m aware that the batch I’m making isn’t going to be a hit with everyone. With the rainy weather outside, it felt like a soft, warm, and gooey chocolate chip cookie kind of day. Bentley will just have to get over it and raid Mom’s pantry for Oreos.
While listening to Drew ask me one hundred and one questions about my date with Jake last night, I open the oven door to check on the cookies. “Do you really need to call him HAF J?”
“Absolutely, I do. Hot As Fuck Jake. What else would you call him?”
“How about Jake?”
Drew sits on the barstool at the island and grabs the bowl of cookie dough. “That’s boring. HAF J is definitely more appropriate. Come on. Tell me more of what happened. Did you screw him?”
Drew dips his finger into the bowl and scoops a giant glob of dough onto his finger.
With a scowl, I grab the bowl from him and move it to the counter. “Don’t eat the dough. Anyway, there isn’t anything else to tell you. We had dinner, listened to a band, had coffee, and talked. He brought me home, and there was a kiss … but no, there was no sex.”
“That’s disappointing.” He sticks the dough in his mouth and moans. “Was he not able to get it up?”
“I told him I wasn’t interested in a serious relationship.”
Drew shoots me a glare. “Why would you do that? Misha, that will make him think one of two things: that you just want to hook up or that you’re not interested in him at all.”
“Shut up, Drew.”
“I’m serious, Misha. Guys, myself included, are typically giddy as hell when they hear someone say they’re not looking for a serious relationship. You likely just shot yourself in the foot.”
“You’re disgusting.”
“I’m a guy.”
“I’d really like to get to know him first and become friends before jumping into a relationship. After the breakup with Noah, I’m not willing to dive headfirst into a relationship with someone I don’t know well. Forgive me for wanting to protect my heart. Plus, if I want to open my own bakery, I need my attention on my business. I can’t allow myself to focus more on a man than my future.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I do. Anyway, are you coming to dinner tonight?”
“No,