Twist of Fate (Kings of Chaos 6)

“You’re going to help me?”

“Of course, I am. You know my schedule is flexible. I can’t do it indefinitely, but I can hang tight until you train some reliable staff.”

I give her a spontaneous hug. “Thank you.”

“You have always been there for me. How could I do any differently?” Jas asks softly.

We separate, and I can’t help but smile as my spirits lift.

“Now about this mysterious Shayne, who I really need to see with my own eyes.”

“Jas.”

She tuts me. “Let me finish. Don’t take your anger at your family out on him.”

“I’m not.”

“Aren’t you?”

I examine her words. “I don’t think I am. He just rubs me the wrong way.”

“Or the right way.” She wiggles her eyebrows.

“Come on.”

“All I know is you light up when you talk about him. Have some hate sex, free up that tight kitty, and see how it loosens you up. You are wound so tight I might start calling you Cogsworth.”

“Listen, Lumiere. You know I don’t do casual sex,” I counter, referencing the randy candlestick from Beauty and the Beast. I made the mistake of attempting it once, and it didn’t sit well with me.

“Cogsworth, there’s a first time for everything, and if I’m reading this situation right, you’re in for a lot of new experiences.”

“No,” I protest. Once she gets a hold of an idea, she’s as stubborn as a dog with its favorite bone.

“Are the drinks ready, ladies?” Andy calls.

“Yep. We’re headed in now,” Jas replies as she lifts up the pitcher and I grab the tray with the glasses and lime wedges. “Enough worry. It’s time to relax and let the day remain behind us where it belongs.”

I nod my head. I’ve always admired and envied her ability to let things go. It’s been said one or a million times I beat a dead horse. I force myself to turn off my brain as I settle on the love seat diagonal from the couch with a fresh mojito.

“Are you ladies ready?” Andy asks.

“Yes, sir. Let her rip.”

Almost instantly, I’m drawn into the dark and mysterious world of the Shinigami, Gods of Death from the Japanese lore.

***

I scrub my face with my hands as I eyeball our stock. We’re running low on sides. I’m not sure why our sales have spiked recently, but I have a suspicion the dimpled blond is a huge factor in the longer than usual lines full of females. With our smoky, sweet, tangy, and hot sauces, our demographic tends to possess the Y chromosome more than the X.

I watch, amused as a petite blonde in her early-twenties bats her eyelashes and orders a pulled pork sandwich with Carolina-style sauce, coleslaw, and a side of mac and cheese done three ways. It’s amazing how much the mac and cheese flavor is elevated when you add more complex cheeses types.

He takes her money and makes change. He’s not cold, but his disinterest is clear. My thoughts go back to the conversations I’ve had with Jas. I’ve never seen him be receptive to a come on. Perhaps I was mistaken about him being non-selective. It causes waves in my belly. No. I can’t afford to let my stance shift on this. Damn you, Jas. Now that she’s put the thoughts in my head, I can’t stop my mind from wandering. He has strong hands. Big and capable with callouses that speak to hard work. I can’t fault his work ethic. Or how fine he is.

I return my attention to the order.

Maybe it’s time I get back on the horse. If I’m having daydreams about a man I don’t even like, I’m more sexually frustrated than I imagined.

“The girls love this one, don’t they?”