Page 9 of Sugar & Ink
That was the thing about the club. They weren’t saints, and they sure as hell didn’t pretend to be, but they handled their own. Somewhere along the line, I’d become close enough to their circle that they counted me as one of the people worth handling.
Grinder pulled cash from his wallet and set it on the small rolling table next to my station. “Extra’s for staying late.”
“You were scheduled late.”
“Then extra’s because I like you.”
“That’s worse.”
He grinned. “Don’t spend it on anything stupid.”
“I’ll do my best.”
He headed for the door, then stopped with his hand on the handle. “Party Saturday at the clubhouse.”
“I heard.”
“You coming?”
“Maybe.”
“That means no.”
“That means maybe.”
Grinder turned around and looked at me like he didn’t believe a word coming out of my mouth. He was right not to. I liked the guys. I liked the club. I liked knowing if shit ever hit the fan, I had men who’d back my play without asking twenty questions first.
But I liked going home when I wanted even more. I liked not having to explain myself. I liked being my own man.
Grinder jerked his chin. “Prez asked about you.”
“Tell him I’m still ugly.”
“He knows.”
I flipped him off.
He laughed, opened the door, and walked out into the night. The bell above the door gave one last jingle before the door shut behind him.
I locked it after him and stood there for a second, staring out at Main Street.
Most of the block had gone dark. The bakery was closed. The boutique next door had shut off its display lights. The diner a few buildings down still glowed at the edges, but they stayed open late enough to catch the bar crowd.
Across the street, Scoop & Swirl was still lit up.
My eyes narrowed.
The banner in the window had been taken down, but the inside of the shop was bright. Too bright for a place that should’ve been closed hours ago. I could see movement through the windows, a blur of mint-green apron and long hair.
Josie.
I didn’t move. I just watched for a second.
She was behind the counter, wiping something down with the kind of focus that said she’d either lost her mind or was too damn tired to realize she should’ve gone home already. Probably both.
I turned away and went back to my station.
Not my business. That was what I told myself as I started cleaning up.
