Forged in Stone - Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,19
the counter. “Your turn to start all ready?”
“Yup.” She walked behind the counter. “What can I get you?”
“Chocolate chip or the closest thing to it in a waffle cone.” I eyed the flavors in the case.
“That was fast.”
“I know what I like.” I looked her in the eyes when I spoke, assuming she would understand my words were about more than frozen yogurt flavors.
“I appreciate that in a person. Indecision is annoying.”
“I am a very decisive person.”
She meticulously scooped some of the chocolate chip into a waffle cone. “Enjoy.” She handed it over the counter.
“What do I owe you?”
“Three ten.”
I felt around in my pocket knowing full well I did not have any of the money she would be looking for. The bartenders never complained about the way I paid, but I would need to find some cash before I went shopping. For now my gold coins would have to do. “This more than covers it.” I held out the gold coin.
“What’s this?”
“Trust me. It’s more than three dollars.”
“But what is it?” She marveled at the coin, turning it around in her hand.
“Just something I had around.”
“You are so incredibly weird.”
“Is the payment acceptable?”
“Sure. I’ll take your word for its worth and put my cash in.”
“Are you having any?” I licked my yogurt.
“No. I’m burned out on the stuff.”
“Then what kind of sweets do you go for?” I might need to know for future reference.
“Why do you care?”
“I’m just asking.”
A bell jingled. I turned to see a mother and two kids walk in. I took that as my cue to get out of the way. I took a seat at a table not too far from the counter.
Ainsley lit up as she served the little kids. Evidently she was a fan of little ones. I finished my yogurt before the mother and kids left. I walked up to the counter. “I’m going to run some errands. What time do I need to be back?”
“It’s fine. I can get a ride with Brad if I need to.”
“You cannot rely on a date for a ride. Not a good idea.” Not for either of us. The thought of her on a date with another man bothered me. The thought of him taking her home had me ready to fight.
“Then what’s your number? I’ll call you if I need rescuing.”
Phone. I had forgotten about that. “I need to get a new one while I am out. How about I get your number and call you when I get it?”
“You don’t have a cell phone?”
“I lost it.” That was technically true. I had no idea where it was.
“And you are going to buy a new one tonight?”
“Is that harder to do then it used to be?”
“You keep talking as though you haven’t been around in a while. Charleston isn’t that different than the rest of the country.”
“I haven’t had to buy a new phone in quite some time.”
“I should have just driven.”
“Let’s keep things simple, where are you having coffee? I can plan to pick you up.”
“That works. Plan on ten at Coffee Hut down the street? Even if we end it early, I can hang out there.”
“Sounds like a plan. Hope work isn’t too boring for you.” I nodded at her before walking out the door.
It was time to go shopping, and for more than a cell phone.
9
AINSLEY
James was weird. Too bad his weird was also strangely sexy. I tried to push him from my mind as I helped a handful of other customers. It was quiet for a Friday night, but then again how many people wanted frozen yogurt in the winter? James had. I pictured the way he’d carefully licked his yogurt so not a single drop spilled. Ugh. I had to stop. I knew nothing about the guy yet was going to share a house with him. Getting the hots for him wasn’t going to help.
After serving a young couple, I went into the back room to mess around on my phone. There was at least a place to sit down there.
After refreshing my email a few times, I went back to thinking about James. Something was off. He was hiding something, and I needed to know what. I wished I knew his last name. Then I could look him up and find out what his story was. And what was with the formal way he talked? Was he trying to act smart or something? My curiosity wasn’t because I was interested in him. It was because I was going