Surrender to Me (12 page)

“Why not? I thought you girls shared everything.”

Obviously my plans to switch off are to be put on hold.

“I don't think it's fair to rain on her wedding parade,” I explain.

Harper examines me closely while I try not to squirm, and the soft
soothing music in the background is having the opposite effect on me, as I
suddenly feel claustrophobic.

Wriggling around in my chair uncomfortably, I scrub my left hand
over my face in attempts to brush away my fatigue.

“Where's your ring?”

Looking down at my naked hand, I cringe.

“Don't you like it?” Harper asks, a look of genuine concern on his
face.

“Of course I like it,” I reply, suddenly experiencing a serious case
of the guilt’s.

“Then why aren't you wearing it?”

I attempt to answer, my mouth poised, ready to respond, when Harper
jokes, “Have you got an old flame hanging around, and you don’t want to break
his heart?”

Letting out a half chuckle, half cough, I demand my blushing to keep
away and not betray how close to the truth Harper really is.

Chapter 12

In the Wrong

H
arper is working
once again, and I hate to admit I am secretly happy he won’t be around for the
day. After our awkward conversation at dinner the other night, I have been
subtly avoiding him.

I decide to go visit my friends at The Bean Bag, my former place of
employment, hoping to pass some time before dinner at V’s tonight.

I haven't been back there since the day I put in my resignation,
which was a sad day for me because I loved the place and the people.

Parking three blocks away, I start my trek down my old stomping
ground, and realize nothing has changed. Sadly, I can’t say the same thing
about me.

As I breathe in the familiar smells, I feel comforted that something
in my life has remained constant- My love for Los Angeles.

All the shops along this busy part of town are still thriving.
Teenagers are buying their first prom dresses excitedly, soccer moms are
getting their nails done while their kids are at school, and the elderly are
getting their scripts filled, taking full advantage of pensioner discount day.

Comparing my old home to my current one, I sigh when I realize how much
I have missed Los Angeles.

When entering The Bean Bag, it smells like home. The wall behind the
register hasn’t changed, and is still scattered with dozens of bagged coffee
beans for sale to the public.

What has changed is the massive line of people, waiting impatiently
to be served. When I worked here, my workmates and I ensured our customers got
their orders in less than two minutes.

Standing on my tippy toes in attempts to see what the holdup is, I
see a young blonde girl behind the register, close to tears.

The people waiting impatiently in line are mumbling under their
breaths, claiming they have been waiting for fifteen minutes to be
served. 

I peer at her once again, and she is pushing every button on the
beeping register, looking frazzled. My heart goes out to her, as I know
how hard it is dealing with customers who are craving their morning caffeine
hit.

Quickly excusing myself, I make my way towards the counter, and the
girl looks at me with a desperate look on her face. 

“Did you want me to help you? I used to work here.”

She nods quickly, her blonde ponytail bobbing up and down.

“Okay. You know how to make coffee?” I ask her, praying she says
yes.

“Yes, I can do that. That's what they hired me for. Jodie the girl
who normally takes orders has just gone home sick, and I'm supposed to man the
register and make coffees until her fill-in arrives.”

I nod, and without delay pull out an apron from under the counter.
Jodie was an employee when I was working here, and was notorious for pulling
sickies.

“That's fine. I'm Ava by the way.”

“Trudy,” she smiles, and makes her way over to the coffee machine.

“Welcome to The Bean Bag. What can I get for you today?” I ask the
businessman who is drumming his fingers on the counter.

“I’ll have a tall macchiato with a dash of milk and three sugars
please.”

He pulls out his wallet, looking at me fearfully that I will ask him
to repeat his order.

Punching his order into the register, I ask with a smile, “Sure. One
shot or two?”

*****

Trudy has turned out to be a fantastic barista. She has kept up with
the numerous orders I have been taking, and she has done so with a smile.

Finally, the morning rush has ended, and Trudy and I let out a sigh
of relief.

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” she says hugging me.

I laugh. “It’s okay. No biggie.”

She jumps onto the back counter, taking a seat, because there is no
one wanting to be served.

“Why did you leave? You are obviously really good at your job and
seem to love it.”

Contemplating her question, I answer as honestly as I can. “I left
because I thought I was moving onto bigger and better things.”

“And did you?” she asks, looking at me through the eyes of a naive
eighteen year old.

I shrug. “I'm undecided.” 

Trudy suddenly jumps off the bench and starts fiddling with her
ponytail, straightening out her shirt, and pushing up ‘the girls’.

“What are you doing?” I ask, half chuckling at her random behavior.

Trudy looks over my shoulder and whispers, “A customer who all the
girls have been crushing over has just walked in. Oh God, he is sooo hot.”

I admit I am curious to know who has the female staff at The Bean
Bag going gaga.

“Oh my God, he is coming over,” she squeals, puckering her lips to
spread out the lip gloss she just applied.

I let out an amused laugh, but that laugh turns into a squeak when I
hear the voice of the object of Trudy’s affection.

“Hi Ava.”

I close my eyes and hope to God it's not him. Trudy clears her
throat and stomps on my foot when I remain frozen. I don’t care what she does
because I am not turning around.

“Are you going to take my order?” he asks.

As I hear his deep throaty chuckle, I know it's him. And I know he
is not going away, so I take a brave breath and turn around. 

Jasper White is looking highly amused, while I am mortified.

“Hi Jasper,” I choke out.

He looks totally hot in a white V neck, with his aviators hooked
into the collar of his shirt, faded blue jeans, and a black baseball cap turned
backwards.

He crosses his arms over his broad chest, and I hear Trudy sigh at
the heavenly sight before us.

“What can I get for you?” I can't believe I am standing here taking
his order.

Jasper looks at me smirking, and I raise an annoyed eyebrow, as he
is so enjoying me squirming right now.

“You know what I like,” he answers, and I blush, not wanting to
think about him and his likes.

Writing down his usual, I slide it over to Trudy who is watching our
exchange curiously.

She gets onto making Jasper’s coffee, and I look over his shoulder,
in hopes that someone is waiting to be served.

Of course there isn't.

I clear my throat uncomfortably. “So...”

“So...” he repeats.

Jasper’s eyes are all over me and I start blushing again. Damn me
for wearing this tank top which reveals way too much blushing skin!

“So, I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you're not working here
again.”

I nod. “No, I was just helping out Trudy because Jodie called in
sick again,” I explain.

“Ah, some things never change.”

“I couldn't agree more,” I reply while averting my eyes, as I am
referring to a totally different situation.

“Here's your coffee,” purrs Trudy, while I am thankful this painful
situation is nearly over.

Or so I thought.

“Thanks.”

Jasper accepts the coffee from her outstretched hand, and looks at
her as if he suddenly just noticed her presence. He seems to like what he sees,
as he takes her in from head to toe.

Is he really checking her out? In front of me?

Trudy flushes under his piercing gaze, while I stare uncomfortably
and have to refrain from throwing Jasper’s coffee into his face.

“So, what time do you get off work?” he says, turning on the charm.

He is so trying to make me jealous, and it's totally working!

Trudy batters her eyelashes at him. “In two hours.”

Jasper braces the counter, leaning towards her. “Normally in a
circumstance like this, I would ask you out for coffee, but seeing as you work
in a coffee shop, that might be kinda lame.”

Vomit is literally rising as I am listening to his insinuating tone.

“I love coffee,” Trudy says, her voice raising an octave in
excitement.

“Well, isn't that funny, so do I,” he answers smugly while taking a
sip of his coffee, his blue bedroom eyes focused on Trudy.

That's it! I've had all I can stomach.

As I am frantically untying my apron, I hear my phone ringing, so I
reach under the counter, searching through my bag to find it. I look at the
screen, and for once, the Gods are smiling down on me.

“Hi Harper.”

Jasper snaps his head my way.

Two can play this game.

“I'm good thanks, but tired after last night.”

I let out a giggle. “Oh, it’s okay, I like waking up on your side of
the bed.”

I can see Jasper out of the corner of my eye, and he is totally
seething.

Little does he know, as per usual I was sleeping alone and woke up
on Harper’s side of the bed because I tossed and turned, thinking about Jasper
for the whole night.

“Oh yeah, I am a little sore,” I reply to Harper’s question.

He asked if I was sore after the massage he purchased for me at the
hotel spa was too hard.

“The pressure was fine. I like it hard.”

Jasper drops his coffee as he overhears me, which spills all over
the bench.

Ha ha, I am internally laughing my ass off right now, but externally,
I have on my best game face.

Trudy runs to grab a washcloth as I walk away from Jasper, strolling
towards the end of the counter. And I subtly see him moving with me, listening
to my conversation.

Harper lets me know he's working again tonight which I acknowledge
with a nod.

But when he says I love you, I quickly reply, “Me too,” and hang up
swiftly, as I feel guilty for not returning the sentiment.

Playtime is over. I need to get out of here because the
repercussions of what I just did are going to catch up with me, and fast.

Ignoring Jasper, I grab my bag and fold up my apron, placing it
neatly underneath the bench.

“You'll be okay? I gotta get going,” I ask Trudy as she is mopping
up spilt coffee.

Jasper is by her side, helping her wipe up his mess.

“Yes, of course. You’re a life saver. I feel guilty taking up
another moment of your time. Thank you so much,” she replies, shooing me out
from behind the counter.

Giving her a small smile, I reply, “Don’t mention it.”

Turning my eyes to Jasper, who has an unreadable look on his face, I
spit, “Bye Jasper, enjoy your coffee date.”

He looks at me guiltily, while Trudy is beaming like she's just won
the lotto.

I have to walk past him to get to the front door, and he makes no
attempt of moving out of the way. The hair at the back of my nape prickles in
excitement, and in these heels, I am about level with his strong jaw line, and
I wanna bite it.

I shouldn’t be checking him out as I’m mad at him for being a flirty
asshole, but I can’t help myself. He is so handsome and this close to him, I
can smell his woody familiar scent, and suddenly, I am drowning in all things
Jasper.

After a few seconds of me forgetting how to breathe, he finally
moves to the side and snaps me out of my Jasper coma. Slipping past him quickly,
I’m out the door and stomping down the street in my impractical Oscar de la
Renta heels.

I’m not getting far in these shoes, and as I hear someone calling
out my name behind me, I know who it is. But I keep walking, not wanting to do
this on the streets of L.A.

He catches up to me of course. “Hey ,wait up.”

Slowing down to face him, I snap, “What?”

He flinches at my harsh tone, and I instantly regret being so blunt.

“You’re dating him?” He phrases the word
him
like it’s a
dirty word.

I nod, afraid to clarify that I am doing a lot more than just dating
him. And this is why I wanted to keep walking. My decision to flaunt my
relationship with Harper in Jasper’s face was probably not the best idea.

He looks as if I've slapped him. “Is he here?”

I nod again.

Jasper kicks at the ground and throws his hands in the air. “Why
would you bring him here Ava, after everything? Why!?”

This time I'm the one to flinch. I am so stupid. I didn't want him
to find out this way, and I know I’ve hurt him, but he hurt me. I wasn't
thinking straight because of his little show with Trudy. Just thinking about it
angers me.

“Why do you care? In case you've forgotten, you're the one who
walked out on me,” and left that note I silently add.

Jasper sighs and turns his livid eyes to mine. “I don't Ava. I stopped
caring a long time ago.”

His comment knocks the wind out of my sails, and my mouth drops open
in shock. My eyes begin to fill with tears, but I wipe them away as I will not
cry in front of him.