Page 12 of Master's Rise
I nod looking away. She’s smart as hell and doesn't hide it. I like that. “Let’s go talk to her.”
~*~*~
The bell has us all looking as Raid walks in. “Brother, this is Seren Nyland. I just agreed to buy the store from her and she’s opening a pizza joint across the street.” We’ve been here for more than two hours without a customer. She’s definitely not making enough to live.
His eyes go wide making me smile. I know what that hit feels like. He’s stunned.
“Seren, this is Raid. He’ll have a Brother starting here on Monday. You can put a sign on the door saying closed until Monday.”
She’s happy and it shows. “I’ll put a new management sign up for you.”
“Good enough. Raid, there are two apartments upstairs. Banks and Amos may want to check them out. Rex said one has a killer kitchen in it.”
He nods. “I’ll call them now. Do I get pizza?”
I push the cold pan over to him. He takes a slice and walks away with his phone at his ear.
Rex stands and gives Seren’s cheek a kiss. I’m fucking jealous. He was right, she’s smart and has her money working for her. That angel face doesn’t prepare you for her quick comebacks and smart-ass comments. She’s no pushover, that’s for sure.
When Rex leaves, Seren turns to me. “Come see me Saturday night. I’ll be at the pizzeria all weekend getting it ready to open on Monday. I’ll make you dinner.”
That’s different. “Are you asking me out?”
Her laugh does weird shit to me. “Are you saying you weren’t going to ask me out?”
I love the mouth and confidence. “Nope. You just beat me to it. I got some shit in my closet that may show so I want you prepared.”
She nods. “I was at the funerals with my dad and Rex. He also told me about Courtney, you getting shot and moving.” She puts her hand up seeing my surprise. “I’m telling you so it's not hidden. If there’s more, I’d like to know upfront.”
Fucking Rex. “Thanks for telling me. Other than I’m President of Phoenix Rising and we’re a chapter of Badass, I think you know the important shit.”
“President doesn’t mean you have no time, does it?”
I smile at that. “No. I spend time with my Brothers, but I had a life before. It was good and I never got complaints, well, I wouldn’t shop, but no problems about our time. This is new here, so that could be a lie, but it will level out. You’d be in the same boat opening the pizza joint. I’m not worried. We can figure it out as we go.” Jules was independent too, she had her own shit keeping her happy and busy. We made our time together count, so I’m really not worried.
Her head shake worries me. “Are you always this laid back?”
I shrug. “I guess. I’m just me. Like you, I’ve learned to keep moving forward. It’s just a habit now.”
“Well, Cortland Masters, I like honest and laid back.” Her smile lights up those amazing blue eyes. “I didn’t know it until now, but I like it.”
The little laugh sparks something in me deep. “Nothing in your closet I get a warning for?” What the hell am I doing? I don’t need to dig for reasons to steer clear.
“I’m twenty-four, had two boyfriends that didn’t amount to much. Men are either trying to screw me or think I’m high maintenance. There doesn’t seem to be an in-between for me. Laid back men is a new one, since I already jumped into new, I’m hoping the landing is soft.” She has nothing to steer clear of. Her eyes show honesty throwing relief.
I laugh at that and the shy little look she gives me. It doesn’t match the confidence I see under it. “I may just catch you.”
“Boss, you exceeded expectations better than we did today,” Amos yells with the bell on the door ringing. Shit, everyone’s playing with Rex.
“My Brothers, Amos and Banks. They need housing to write down their new words of the day.” I get a smile and nod from her.
“Amos, Banks, this is Seren Nyland. She’ll be opening a pizza joint across the street.” They both stop and I can see what she means, men don’t know how to react to her. She’s five-six or seven, arrestingly beautiful but doesn’t give off helpless vibes. That confidence attracts me big-time, but I can see men taking it as icy.
She ignores the staring and hands Raid the keys. “How did you like the pizza?”
Raid is all smiles. I give him a look and he fixes that. “Perfect. I’ll take them up.”
I nod but want to see too. “I don’t want my Officers living somewhere I wouldn’t, even if it’s temporary. I’ll meet you up there.” Sleeping above the bar comes to mind here.
