1 Hot Scheming Mess by Lucy Carol Read Free Book Online Page B

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    She stood in line along a glass case that displayed all sorts of tasty treats that were intended to go well with coffee. Rolls, muffins, cookies, and breads competed for her attention. She decided to treat herself to a whole grain raisin roll to go along with her coffee. Anticipating the yummy roll and coffee, she took her money out ahead of time and held it in her hand, waiting for her turn.
    She was next in line as the man in front of her was searching his palm for exact change to hand to the barista. The barista! Hello, baby! So hot. Yes, today will be a good day. Be cool, Madison. Think of something clever to say. Quick. It’s your turn!
    She stepped up to the cash register with her most beautiful smile, her head tilted ever so slightly to the side, one slow blink, and said, “Hi. I think I’ll get…”
    “Potatoes!”
    Her face froze.
    “Hey, that was you, right? In Fight Cabaret last night? That was awesome!” He looked over his shoulder at a tall guy steaming the milk. “Hey, Jason. This is that girl we told you about.” He looked back at Madison with enthusiasm. “Damn. We all thought for sure you were about to barf at the end there when you stopped jumping. Is that why you left the stage all of a sudden? Were you really that drunk, or was that part of the act? That was so funny,” he said shaking his head. He slapped the counter. “What can I get for you?”
    In a hesitant and timid voice, she answered, “Coffee and a… whole grain… raisin roll.”
    He slapped the counter again. “Coming right up. But I’ll have to go in the back to get some more raisin rolls. Be right with you.” He started walking away and called out. “But don’t pull Jason’s pants down while I’m gone!”
    The business lady in line behind her looked away quickly when Madison looked around. Madison felt compelled to say, “I didn’t pull anyone’s pants, you know, down, or anything.” The lady smiled and nodded and began a deep study of the treats in the glass case.
    From near the espresso machine she heard a calm, manly voice say, “You don’t recognize me, do you?” She looked over at him. Tall, curly brown hair, with the kind of solid muscular build that comes naturally when great genes meet hard work. Jason’s hands were relaxed and steady as he poured a few of the lattes into cups. He looked over at her and smiled with hazel brown eyes and said, “Jason Clark.” He was cute and definitely familiar, but she couldn’t remember where she knew him from. “Well,” she began, “actually…” He turned around to set the lattes down on the counter for waiting customers. Madison dipped her eyes, recognized his awesome backside, and exclaimed, “Oh, my gosh! That Jason! You used to work for—”
    “…Vincent Cruz Landscaping.” He turned back around, wiping his hands on a towel. “Yeah. Your grandfather was my boss.”
    “Yes! I remember now.”
    “Tough old guy. My dad used to work for him, too. How is he these days?”
    “Retired. I’m about to go visit him.”
    “Well, don’t tell him I talked to you,” he laughed. “That was a fireable offense when I was working for him. He never let us forget it.”
    Madison put her face in her hand and laughed. “That’s right. None of you guys were allowed to talk to me. And if I ever talked to any of you, I got in SO much trouble.”
    “Makes me feel like such a bad boy.” He winked at her and said, “This will be our secret. Say hi for me.” He resumed working the espresso machine.
    “I will.”
    Such a simple moment felt so calming for Madison as she reflected on how crazily the day had started. But seeing Jason made her feel like things were looking up. Nothing like a good cup of coffee. And Toonie didn’t die on her doorstep. And the living room wall was not beyond repair. Life was about to get great.
    Toonie seemed older than Grandma ever got to be. Just how old had Grandma been when she died? It was still a hard memory. Ann was such a young