Page 5 of The Grizzly Situation
“I’ll find out for myself, thank you,” the bigger man growled, low and threatening. Even I was wary of him. He turned his attention back to me. “I’m so very sorry. We’ll all have coffee, but I need the Death Shots and you’d better make it five for me.”
Five of those suckers would have him wired for weeks, but some people had to have them in order to survive in the corporate world.
“Of course, sir. I’ll get those to you right away.”
He nodded, and I went back to the counter. Uncle Dom was busy with another table, so I started making the coffee, adding a few extra pumps of Death Shot to the man’s order. I liked him. He was the kind who didn’t take no for an answer when he wanted something. He was poised, sophisticated, well spoken, and he apparently had manners until he was dealing with business. I wanted to be more like him with every passing moment.
I should have known that train of thought was going to lead to trouble. I watched as the man held court over the guys he sat with. He shook his head harshly, then stabbed a finger at the stack of papers in front of him. From where I stood, I could hear the angry murmurs, but couldn’t make out the words.
“Uly!”
I jerked my head up, to find Uncle Dom standing there, a horrified expression on his face. I snapped my gaze back to the coffee machine, and saw the reason he was so freaked. Since I hadn’t turned the machine off, it continued to pour coffee, and a big, brown puddle formed at my feet.
“Shit! I’m sorry, Uncle Dom! I?—”
He huffed out a breath as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Go home, Uly. I can’t have this anymore. I’m sorry, but this isn’t going to work out. I’ll send you your last check, and?—”
It wasn’t like I didn’t know this was coming. He was right. I’d been nothing but problems ever since he took me on. “Keep it,” I said, my stomach clenching. “For all the trouble I’ve caused you.”
“No, you?—”
“I should go. The big guy at the table wants the five extra shot Death Shots. The others are having regular coffee.” I turned to him, putting on my best smile. “Thank you for the opportunity. I hope I get the chance to see you at Thanksgiving.”
He held out a hand, but I ducked it and headed for the door. I stopped at the table, to let the men know what was going on. My chest tightened as I got near them, and I hoped I’d be able to keep it together.
“Gentlemen, the owner will be bringing your coffee out. Thank you for coming, and I hope you have a great day.”
I made to leave before the tears started, and then it happened. My foot hooked the leg of one of the chairs, and I went down. Well, to be fair, I started to go down, when these big mitts wrapped around my waist and held me up, literally lifting me from the floor as if I was weightless. Which, to him, I probably was. He put me on my feet, then turned me to face him.
“Are you okay?”
Not really, no. I was on the verge of breaking down. Not only had I just lost my job, but I’d embarrassed myself in front of the businessmen. “Sure, I’m fine. Thank you for... You know what, just thanks. Let me get out of your way.”
My hands shook as I turned to go. Bad enough I was going to have to find a new job, but now these guys saw me in all my freaking glory. What a way to end my barista career on a high note.
“Stop,” the man growled, and his voice went right through me. “Sit down.”
I glanced over my shoulder, trying to give him a smile. “Oh, I?—”
“Clear a space,” he ordered.
All of the men scrambled to move, opening up several seats. “Sit,” the big man demanded again.
So I sat. I glanced at Uncle Dom, who stood there, eyes wide, while he made the coffee order.
“You’re upset. Please tell me why.”
The world faded into the background as I stared into the most amazing eyes. Deep brown, like coffee, with flecks of gold and green swirled in them. I was a fan already.
“It’s nothing. I should leave, though?—”
“Not until you tell me what has you so agitated.”
“You know what? It doesn’t matter. Enjoy your?—”
“If you walk out that door, I will follow you and drag your scrawny ass back in here,” he said, his voice low and rumbly. “Now, I asked why you’re upset, and I expect you to answer me.”
A dozen thoughts went through my head. I didn’t know this guy, and I had nothing to keep me here, except being pinned by that intense gaze. If I got up, would he really follow me? That was crazy, right? No one did that kind of thing.
