Page 22 of It Never Was

"We are doing a stage interview." he says walking in behind me.

"With whom may I ask?" Paul looked sleepy as I turned around towards him leaning against the wall of the small entryway in the back kitchen. He hasn't been here this early in years. Once I was old enough, and Marge and I had a system going, he started to take more time with Lisa.

"Suzie…" he drawled out, "and Parker." My body stiffened in a mix of emotion from the two names that Paul just said. One, Suzie was not qualified enough, but was the only one who did an interview that would be close enough to be considered, and that was saying something. And Parker was way overqualified. He didn't need to do a working interview with us.

"Suzie I could understand but Parker?" My head leans out a bit as I say his name. The ash filled eyes burning a hole through me at the memory making my skin flush.

"It is to see how he works…here. I need to see how he does in our place, with you. You need to like them just as much as I do."

My mind was stuck on those two words.

Our place.

I love thinking of this place as part of mine. I know I call it my home but to hear Paul say it is different, it's a small piece of reassurance I need that he is my family.

"That makes sense." I shrug, making my way to start my routine, like his words didn't just give me the biggest dose of serotonin.

"And don't worry I'll be here the whole time." Paul calls out as I walk through the door to the shop's lobby.

Suzie was the first to show up, a whopping thirty minutes early in her tight low rise skinny jeans and a cropped V-neck long sleeve with, of course, her breasts on full display in Suzie fashion. Paul greeted her and had her wait in the lobby until Parker arrived. Paul offered her a coffee, which she declined saying, 'coffee wasn't her thing' in her chirpiest voice just for Paul. The whole time she waits, her eyes follow me doing my normal tasks.

I was prepping the coffee carafes and refilling the espresso beans for the day when a tap on the front door caught my attention, a tall frame taking over the entire glass front, head low. The hammering of my heart speeding up made my chest heat, I made my way across the lobby to let Parker in. Suzie's glare still set on me.

"Is that the other candidate? About time." She scuffs out, her voice less cheery than when she talks to Paul. I slow my steps as I get closer to him. His head shoots up and his eyes are on me, my breath catches in my throat as he looks straight at me. The memory did not do those eyes justice. He flashes me a small smile.

I unlatched the lock and gestured at him through the door.

"Thanks." He shrugs the bag he has on his shoulder further up his arm, "Paul said to be here at 4, I hope me being here a bit early is okay." It was only 15 minutes before four, but I could tell he was just being considerate.

A cough sounds off behind me, Suzie is sitting straighter in her seat now, full smile on display, and her chest puffed out. Her boobs already were big enough to smother you to death but with her chest out like that it made them even more dramatized.

"Hi! My name is Suzie. Suzie Grayson, I am doing the stage alongside you. Paul said to wait here, you are more than welcome to sit with me while we wait," her eyes become hooded, and I can see her drooling on the inside. A pit of jealousy shocks through me and I have to remind myself to calm down.

"If that's what boss lady wants me to do. Ryen?" I turn to him, his eyes already on me. Fuck, those eyes.

"Yeah, go ahead. I am just gonna let Paul know you both are here now."

Parker makes his way to Suzie's table, "Would you like a coffee while you wait?" I offer as I go around the counter.

"That would be great actually."

"Let me guess. Americano no sugar, no cream? or a just a quad shot with foam?" I start to tamp the espresso shots while I wait for his answer. I have a way of reading people, well their coffee orders, it's probably the years of coffee training, customer service, and people watching.

"Americano, yeah." I look up over the espresso machine to find Parker looking at me with a hint of curiosity, the look invites goosebump to cover my arms and trail down my back. "How did you know?"

"It's my 'party trick'." I state. As the espresso starts to roar to life and drip, I walk over to the kitchen entrance and peek my head in. Paul is surveying the cooler, "Suzie and Parker are both here now. If you want to get started." A nod is his only response as he closes the cooler doors and follows behind me to the front.

This whole experience should be interesting.

12

Ryen

This stage has been a hoot, Parker is breezing through all the recipes, as we knew he would. But Suzie is…struggling. It's only confirming for Paul who is the obvious choice, but he wants to give Suzie a chance. He hasn't seen the looks she gives me when he walks away or heard the snarky remarks she makes when I try to help her. And I am not going to bring it up, but she has been so blatant about her feelings for me while Paul is out of sight that I can see Parker is starting to notice.

"So, for this you have to toss the blueberries in flour first, so they don't just sink to the bottom on the muffin tray when they bake in the oven." I tell Suzie as I sprinkle flour into the large metal bowl.

"I get it you don't have to show me everything." She grabs the bowl and cup of flour from in front of me, pushing me with her hip to move me slightly out of the way. I hold my breath and my tongue in the moment trying to contain the bit of self-control I have left. I am a very patient person. I have been molded to be, but this girl was pushing me to the fucking edge.

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