Page 10 of Fake Love

“It’s not even eight o’clock and not fully dark yet.” I state and it’s true, now that April is near, the sun is going down a lot later.

I honestly can’t wait until summer, yet again living in San Francisco, we don’t really get a summer.

“Something can still happen.” Forearm guy tells me.

I could argue with him. I could tell him that it's completely safe for me to stay here at the shop by myself after eight, but I would be lying.

There has been a string of robberies lately all over the city, people breaking into business and cars in broad daylight. People have gotten hurt and frankly I’m always terrified when I walk home, which is why I have a taser and pepper spray in my bag.

“You’re right, but I’ll take my chances.”

He gives me a nod. “Alright then,” he says, holding his arms up in surrender. “Do you mind if I hang out here for a bit? Don’t really want to go back to an empty hotel room.”

That means he’s either in the city as a tourist or for business. And if this is the last time that I see this gorgeous man, who am I to deny him where he spends his time?

“Go right ahead.” I say to him with a nod.

He gives me one back and goes to sit at one of the tables by the window.

I wonder if he’s staying because I’m alone. Or if it really is because he doesn't want to go back to an empty hotel.

No wanting to bother him, I don’t ask and do all my closing duties for the remainder of the time we’re open.

I get one more customer before I close out the cash register. Right at closing time, I look over at the forearm god, who is finished with his coffee and is doing something on his phone.

“I’m sorry about this, but I have to kick you out. We’re closed and I would rather not walk when it’ s pitch dark outside.”

His hazel eyes meet my brown ones and I try my hardest not to melt into a puddle and ask God for forgiveness as I beg this man to fuck me in every way possible.

He gives me a nod as he stands up. “Thank you for the coffee.”

“Of course.” I say, giving him a smile.

With a nod and a smile of his own, the forearm god is out the door without a backwards glance or even a name.

College Jen would be having a heart attack right about now if she heard that I didn’t ask this man back to my place.

I’m sure he has better things to do than to bang a barista.

Forgetting about the man, or at least trying to, I finish out my closing duties and right at eight twenty, with a bag filled with food in one hand and my stuff in the other, I close the shop for the day.

Tomorrow will be the same shit all over again.

I really need to get a new job.

Making sure I have everything, I lug the bag of food over my shoulder and make my way over to my apartment.

Only a few blocks in the dark, drop off the food and then I will be making my way over to Sel’s for our girls’ night.

I’m twenty feet away from the shop when I get stopped in my tracks.

Why?

Well, because the forearm god is leaning against the brick wall a few feet ahead.

“Need help finding your way back to your hotel?” I ask, jokingly, raising an eyebrow at him.

The next words he speaks take me off guard. “Let me walk you home.”

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