“Okay…”

“Do you want to come in tomorrow for an interview? I know it’s last minute, but otherwise your interview isn’t until next month.”

I quickly run through my schedule for tomorrow. I guess I can skip my lecture. “Yeah, sure. That would be great. What time?”

“Can you be here at eleven?”

I don’t finish my shift at the café till 10.30 a.m. Although, I could get ready before my shift. “Okay, that sounds great, thank you.” I smile, excited. “I’ll see you then.”

“Can I help you, sir?”

“I’ll have a toasted cheese on rye and a flat white, please.”

“Sure.” I smile as I tap his order into the computer. It’s another day at the cafe, another few pounds. “That will be nine pounds ninety-five, thanks.”

He hands over his money, and I hear the distant bell over the door as someone new enters the building.

This is the longest shift I’ve ever done at the café. I’m nervous about my interview this morning. After thinking on it all night, I’ve decided that I really want that job.

If I could just work two shifts a week, then I could move out of the dorm and into my own studio apartment.

Imagine that!

Don’t get excited. You haven’t gotten it yet, I remind myself.

“Can I help you?” I ask as I glance up and stare straight into the eyes of Mr. Garcia.

He came back.

“Hello,” he says in his deep voice.

The air between us doing that thing again… electricity and butterflies all rolled into one.

“You back for more of my great coffee?” I smirk.

He gives me a slow, sexy smile. “I am.”

2

April

“Well…” I drop my shoulders and stand tall, as I try to act cool. “How can I help you?”

Amusement flashes across his face. “I’ll have a double macchiato, please.”

“Of course.” I type it into the computer then glance up at him. “Will that be all?”

His eyes hold mine. “For now.”

I roll my lips as I try to hide my smile. Why does everything that comes out of his mouth sound sexy?

For now isn’t theoretically a hot sentence.

Lance looks over my shoulder to see the screen. “It’s okay, Lance, Mr. Garcia likes it when I make his coffee,” I say as I try to stay straight faced.

Sebastian’s forehead wrinkles, and I know he’s inwardly cringing inside. Ha-ha, this is classic. Oh well. That will teach him for throwing away my coffee yesterday.

“Okay, okay,” Lance says, taking over from me at the register.

I turn to the coffee machine, and I really want to burst out laughing. I’m so shit at this, it isn’t funny. Right. What do I do again? This coffee machine is so confusing.

I glance over my shoulder to see Mr. Garcia waiting patiently as he watches me. His hands are tucked into the pants pockets of his grey suit. He’s wearing a cream shirt today, and it really makes his dark hair pop.

He gives me a soft smile, and I smile back.

He really is dreamy.

I make his coffee and turn back to him. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.” He takes it and dips his head. “Have a nice day.”

I will, now that I’ve seen you.

“You, too,” I beam.

He turns and walks out of the store. I pick up a cleaning cloth and practically run to the front of the café to spy on him through the window. He walks out into the street and crosses the road. I watch on as he takes a sip, winces, and screws his face up.

He hates it.

I giggle.

He takes another sip, and then with a shake of his head, he throws it in the bin.

I burst out laughing and return to the cashiers’ desk.

“What’s so funny?” Lance asks.

“That guy.”

“Who, the Italian dude?”

“Yeah, the gorgeous one. I don’t think he’s Italian, though.”

“He’s a bit old for you, isn’t he? What about him?”

“He is not too old for me, and he hates my coffee.”

“And?”

“He hates my coffee and yet, he came back.”

Lance frowns. “I don’t get it.”

I widen my eyes, Lance can’t be this clueless. “Well, if he doesn’t like my coffee and he came back, it means he’s coming to see me, doesn’t it?”

“Perhaps he just works close, and this place is convenient.”

“Maybe.” I smile as I wipe the counter. “We’ll see tomorrow, won’t we?” I smile as I reorganize the menus. “If he comes back tomorrow, it’s definite confirmation that he’s coming to see me.”

“You women and your mind fucks.” Lance rolls his eyes. “If you like him, why don’t you just ask him out? You don’t have to make the poor bastard drink your petrol coffee.”

I giggle as I remember the disgust on his face.

I really am a funny bitch.

I exhale heavily and look up at the sign over the door.

C L U B

E X O T I C

I can’t believe I’m actually doing this. I’ve never even been to a gentlemen’s club before, let alone considered working in one.

It’s fine. It’s totally fucking fine.

It’s not—not by a long shot—but I can’t live where I am for much longer. Penelope and her Rave Cave have me going insane. I push on the large brass knob on the heavy black door, and I walk in.

Instantly, my senses are overloaded with luxury, dark charcoal walls, huge chandeliers, and incredible gilded mirrors that are hanging as artwork.

“Hello,” a pretty blonde girl says with a smile. “I’m Anne-Marie.”

“Hi.” I grip my resume folder with white-knuckle force.

Run. Run the fuck away, right now.

Oh, hell, what am I doing here? I think I’m going to throw up.

I swallow the lump in my throat to try and push some sort of sentence past my lips. “H-hi. I’m April. I’m here for an interview.”

Anne-Marie looks down at her clipboard and ticks off my name. “Great. Just this way, please, April.”