Page 27 of Fast Lane

She marches past me and into my room. I look down at the pleather black leggings, wedges, and red and black striped tank that’s flowy. “Why not?” I thought I looked cute.

“For a few reasons,” Baylor replies, her voice muffled from where her face is currently buried in my closet. “For starters you’re going to be doing and overseeing manual labor. There is nothing about that outfit that says either of those things. It’s a killer outfit but not for this type of work. Second, I know you and Roscoe kissed but remember how last night started out.”

Memories of him showing up at Rowdy’s with Chrissy resurface. “You’re right.”

“Third, I don’t know what you’ve decided as far as what you want for him or how you feel towards him but if you are still on the decision of giving him a chance I support that, but make him work for it. In my opinion he’s screwed up three times already. He needs to earn you now,” she tells me as she starts throwing some clothes onto my bed.

“Three times?”

Baylor nods and holds up one finger. “Letting you run out on the almost kiss.” She holds up two fingers. “Not getting into contact after the almost kiss.” Adding the third finger she says, “Bringing troll hoe to my birthday party which was being held where you work after the almost kiss and radio silence.”

Her words seep into the cracks of my defensive wall and resolidify them. Those words are like an ice cold bucket of water bringing me back to reality. I needed them. Tossing my purse on to the bed I strip out of the clothes I have on. Baylor passes me the capris, simple red t-shirt, and Converse. I turn around and take the jewelry off and pull my hair up into a ponytail. It’s got a lot of volume but it doesn’t look like I’m trying so hard now. When I turn around I give Baylor a smirk. “Thank you. I needed that.”

She smiles. “So, where do you stand when it comes to Roscoe?”

I shake my head. “I don’t. I’ve had two too many momentary lapses of judgment. No more. From this moment on things will go back to how they were before.”

“I didn’t exactly mean that,” Baylor tries to explain but I step forward, grab my purse, give her a quick squeeze, and head out the door. I can’t believe I almost allowed myself to get caught up in Roscoe. Nothing good can come from that. I must have hit my head or something. However, on the way to Free Fall I decide that I’ll follow his lead. If he acts as if the kiss never happened then so will I.

Twenty-Four

Roscoe

Surely last night was a dream. There’s absolutely no way that I kissed Kosi Scott. It’s just not possible. The only way that would ever happen is if we were living in an alternative universe, but since we’re not… it just didn’t happen, okay? Mushu purrs beside me where he’s curled up into the crook of my neck. I reach up blindly and stroke his fluffy fur. Memories from last night come back to me in pieces. Kosi is at the front and center of each and every one of them.

Her silky blonde hair is so soft despite being curled. The way her eyes keep showing a vulnerability I never imagined she had before. How her lips pout when she starts to think about something or when she’s avoiding something. That floral scent that follows her wherever she goes. Kosi reminds me of an early spring day in the park. Fresh flowers are everywhere. Growing up, we went to this park in our neighborhood. It was everyone’s pride and joy so a lot of the moms got together and planted a huge flower garden in one corner. It always smelled amazing when I used to walk by it. Kosi reminds me of that. Her cinnamon taste is something else I’ll never complain about. Kissing her shouldn’t have felt so right. It felt like it was meant to be, but that’s ridiculous. This isn’t some kind of movie. I don’t believe in destiny. Hell, I don’t really believe in relationships or love or any of that other junk.

As I sit up in bed, Mushu slides down the pillow. Based on the hiss he gives my back, he’s not too thrilled about it. Normally, I’d apologize to him because, let’s face it, that cat means everything to me. But this morning, my mind is too distracted to be of any use. Moments later I decide to get out of bed and get ready for the day. Before the kiss, Kosi said she’d be in today to start work on the facelift of Free Fall. I’m not sure that still stands but I need to be there just in case.

A quick shower and glass of orange juice later, and I’m out the door. I’m heading for my motorcycle when I decide to take in breakfast for Wyatt, possibly Kosi, and me. Changing direction, I head for my car. Once inside, I find Bowie on the local throwback 80s rock radio station and head out. It’s still pretty surreal to hear my best friend on the radio. I make my way to one of my favorite spots. Busted Bagels is a local bagel shop. Everything is made in house and they have some bizarre flavors, but everything I’ve tried is so good. Most of their toppings and ingredients are bought locally too. The bright, sunshine yellow building comes into view. At the top of the building is a huge bagel that looks like it is bursting with stuff inside and it spins around. I’m not shocked to see that the parking lot is already packed. I swing in and find a spot before hopping out and heading inside. Carol is behind the counter and when she sees me she starts my order. “Good morning Roscoe, chicken and waffle bagel, extra syrup on the side and a protein infused banana smoothie, to go?”

I smile and nod my head. “That is correct for me but I also need a bacon buster on a bacon cheddar bagel and a large black coffee.” As I stand there I realize I’m not sure what Kosi eats. I look over the menu before deciding that sweet and savory is the way to go. “Cinnamon swirl bagel with fluffy egg whites and bacon, large iced caramel latte.”

She raises her eyebrows. “Ordering all kinds of different things today.”

“Yes ma’am.” I pay Carol then move over to the side to wait for my order. The inside is white with all sorts of bagels plastered on the walls. Every table is round and decorated to look like a bagel with wood chairs. The floor is checkered with khaki and brown. Behind the long wooden counter are floor to ceiling cases that hold all the bagels. Off to the left is where all the coffees and drinks are made. Eventually, my name is called and I grab the drink carrier and sack before heading back to my car.

I’m the first one to Free Fall. I park around back today so I can be in between both the office and the classrooms. Once I’m inside, I place everything on the counter and head back outside to unlock the classrooms and hangar for Wyatt. As I head back into the office through the back door I come face to face with Kosi. Our bodies collide and she lets out a startled yelp. My hands instantly and instinctively reach out to steady her. My hands connect with the skin on her lower back, warm and soft, just how I imagined it would be after last night. “Roscoe?” she asks.

I can’t help but smirk at her. “The one and only.”

“What are you doing here?” she asks, confusion clear in her voice. Kosi looks really cute when her eyebrows are pulled together like this.

My eyes dart around to see if I’m missing something. “I o–.” I cut myself short. Admitting I own the place right now just doesn’t seem like the best idea so I clear my throat and try again. “I work here, remember?”

Kosi nods. “Yes, I meant I didn’t think you were here because I didn’t see your car when I pulled up.”

My head motions towards the back door. Her eyes follow the movement of my hair. I hate to admit it, but I kind of love it when she does that. “I parked around the back.”

“Oh,” she says quietly.

As the silence descends upon us, I realize I’m still holding her. That floral scent is invading the space between us. Reluctantly, I step back. “I brought breakfast but I wasn’t sure you were coming.”

Suddenly, she’s cold and cut off and I’m not sure why. It’s impossible to get a read on Kosi. “I told you I’d be here.”

Her arms slip across her chest, closed off from me. So different from a moment ago. “Yeah, well that was before.”

Her head falls to the side. “Before what?”

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