Page 19 of The Love You Hate
CHAPTER FIVE
Presley
Sexually frustrated. That’s what it is. I didn’t add that word, but now they know. Sleep was out of reach last night because I couldn’t stop thinking about Nate. I don’t think about men to waste my precious brain cells. I think it’s because he has the air of a man who is untouchable and unavailable. He’s not aloof per se, but he has that indefinable quality, and the fact I picked up on it in half a day speaks volumes. His face, his attitude, and yeah, the fact he jumped in front of dogs for me, floated through my mind, cloying all my typical good sense.
I’m used to wealthy men who would never deign to get their loafers dirty. Bravery isn’t a word in their personal dictionaries, nor is it something they witness on a regular basis unless it’s a Hollywood premiere of the newest action blockbuster. No, Nate is not that kind of man. He’s good at everything, or seems to be, which makes my libido wonder if he really is as well rounded as he appears. Nate is mysterious, and not in a way that sends up my hackles, in a way that only makes me want to know him more. Again, I hate that.
Nate finished washing dishes and Ryan is teaching him how to use one of the old industrial stoves. There’s a crank, and a pilot light that works intermittently, and a dance that must be performed at the perfect cadence for it to fire up. I have a perfect view of his wide back and narrow hips. The bell chimes as someone enters, and Nate moves with a tenacious prowl to the counter. It’s jarring, it reminds me of a damn action movie again. Why is he so alert? His military background, duh, Presley. I’m reading into his every move in an attempt to figure him out. It won’t work, I know. He’s going to have to open up to me. That will have to be for another day, after my sexual frustrations have subsided. I bet after one time in the sack with Jake, I’ll be over my low-key crush on Nate. It has to happen. Straight after work I’ll head over there again.
The bread is all packaged and I have another batch of cupcakes started. Nate takes an order and Ryan shows him how to use the register as I brew a pot of coffee. Leaning against the counter, I watch the interaction, trying to discern something new, anything, that would tell me what kind of person he is. Ryan nods his approval as Nate hands over a bagel and all of the fixings, and a to-go cup for tea. “Well, aren’t you just an exemplary employee?” I bark. I didn’t mean for it to come out so harsh, but that’s how everything comes out when I get in this mood. A long run didn’t even touch the nerves vibrating inside my body.
“He did great,” Ryan says, lifting one brow. “Would you rather take the counter during rush hour? I could have Nate do something else.” He’s grasping at straws. Nothing is going to fix my mood. Especially being in the same room as the object of my vagina’s desire.
I exhale noisily. “No. That’s fine, let him meet the regulars so he can get to know their orders. Ryan, you don’t have to be here, you know? Didn’t you want to go rock climbing? I know the ropes.” Plus, if one less person is a witness to my bad behavior than I feel a little better. “If you wanted to, that is.”
“As alluring as that is, my aunt would have a cow if I left the shop on his first day. Plus,” Ryan says, glancing between us. “I’m basically playing buffer today.”
Nate narrows his eyes at me, and my god if he isn’t smirking. He knows what he’s doing to me. He’s a playboy. He’s playing the long game. He lied in a roundabout way about having a girlfriend. It makes sense. “There’s no needfor a buffer. I’ll be on my best behavior. I know how everything works. Your aunt trusts me.”
Just then, a stream of customers barrel in the door. The orders are intricate and it’s a good thing there are three of us, or we’d be swamped. The regulars seem to be tripping over Nate. He’s offering them new items and these people are actually trusting him and ordering them! He’s using this fake, pleasant voice, I have yet to hear, and every time Nate says thank you, I cringe. I’m wrapping up a bacon egg and cheese sandwich for the last customer in the bakery when he excuses himself to use the restroom.
“Here you go, sir,” I say, handing the sandwich over the glass. “Enjoy. Have a great day.” I’m trying on some of the fake niceness, and what do you know, he drops a tip in the jar next to the register. I eye it warily, cocking my head.
“He’s a nice guy, Presley.”
I just blink, and nod once.
Ryan clears his throat. “You’re okay with Nate working here, right? I’m having a hard time figuring out what exactly you’d like. You say simple and Jake, but you’ve been staring at Nate all morning like you want to butter his biscuit.”
“Is that supposed to be a joke?”
Ryan shakes his head. “I’m asking you one more time. You’re okay with him working here, right?”
This is when I should send Nate away, while I have this power. My curiosity gets the better of me. “Nah. He’s new to Gold Hawke too. He needsthis job.”
“At the expense of your jokes?” Ryan asks.
Hanging my head, I groan. “Yes. You hate the jokes too. Isn’t this a win win for you?”
“You’re right about one thing. My aunt does like you and trusts you, and you were here first. He’s the new guy, regardless if him being around means your corny level hovers somewhere around normal, I’m on your side.”
“I appreciate that,” I say, feeling a lump lodge in my throat. I’ve been a bitch to Ryan and he really has been my only friend up until now. “Thanks. I promise, I’m okay. Jake will take care of things tonight, and I’ll be back to my chipper self tomorrow. Sans jokes, still though.”
Ryan wrinkles his nose. “Jake though? Seriously?”
“Do you have a better idea?” I sling back, pouring myself a cup of coffee and dumping some sugar in. “The way I see it, is that he’s the best of the worst.”
“That’s offensive, Presley. Also, you shouldn’t shit where you eat. When it doesn’t work out you have to see the man constantly. Why don’t you go down the highway? Use that app people use to find people their age to hook up with?” Because I can’t leave Gold Hawke, I think. Because I’m trapped here without options. I’m going to suffocate.
“That’s not convenient. I live here.”
Nate appears from nowhere, though he was in the restroom, so I guess he crept so quietly we didn’t hear him come back. “What’s not convenient?” Nate asks, grabbing the coffee pot from behind me, and grabs himself a cup. The heat from his body wafts against my waist, and I shudder.
Twisting, I move myself away from him in what I hope looks like a casual movement. “Dating inside the Gold Hawke pool as opposed to going down the road to find a man.”
“You’re really intent on finding a man?” Nate’s gaze looks mirthful. “And Jake? For real?” Another customer arrives and Ryan scurries to help them.
Nate glares daggers at me.
