Page 43 of Apparently, I’m A B!tch

Chapter24

Nikki

Friday morning

It took allthe willpower I had not to slide into Extra Shot to see Tristan this morning. And I didn’t want to wait until this afternoon. The fact that I already let a whole night go by after he kissed me was already torture enough.

This morning I showered, put my skin through a whole wash and moisturize routine, did my makeup, waved my hair and slid into a skin-tight, navy-blue midi-dress that really amplified the small amount of cleavage I had. I got ready like there was caffeine in the air of my apartment, and everything looked to me like honey dripped from it. I even laughed when I stepped on a bag of Hot Cheetos and mashed the orange cheesy powder into my carpet.

I managed to keep my eager ass out of Tristan’s coffee shop and made my way into the quiet firm, daring to hum as I went into the small alcove that was technically the staff kitchen. I made a fresh pot of coffee and poured myself a mug as the doors to L&K opened and shut behind an irate Jake and a cautious Kelly.

I paused, thinking to let them pass me by on the way to their desks, but Jake spotted me and halted, his narrowed and furrowed stare making my spine straighten. Kelly stood back and watched him, her gaze wary. But I wasn’t afraid of Jake. I had no reason to be.

I tilted my head and bumped my mug into the air as if I were clinking his glass. “Good morning. How are you both?”

His lip twisted and he said, “Your boyfriend tried to attack me this morning.”

I scoffed, surprised. “What are you talking about?”

“He means Tristan,” Kelly supplied.

“Tristan?”

“Yes, the mild-mannered barista you all drool over, that Tristan. He was about to knock my head in.” He swept a disgusted glance over me as I tightened my grip on my mug. “It must be the effect you have on people, Cutter. Your bitchiness is contagious.”

I huffed as he stormed off.

Kelly shot me a glance that could have held sympathy or restraint, I wasn’t sure. Then her gaze traveled up and down my body, shifting her features into mild approval as she nodded slightly. “You look good today.”

She followed Jake with slumped shoulders, as if no amount of caffeine would’ve helped her deal with any of this.