Favorite Coffee, Favorite Crush
Victoria Pinder
Favorite Coffee, Favorite Crush
Copyright©2016
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemble to actual events, business establishments, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.
Your support of author’s rights is appreciated.
Published in the United States of America.
Copyright © 2016 Victoria Pinder Love in a Book
All rights reserved.
ISBN-13: 978-0692689585
ISBN-10: 0692689583 (Love in a Book)
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to my friends and critique partner, especially Kimberly Gonzales. You were my rock in the writing of this novel.
Chapter One
Jay Marshall pressed his lips together as he held the phone. His hands curled into a ball then straightened. He stared out his bay windows overlooking the ocean. Another beautiful day on the beaches of South Florida—not that he cared. Sunshine never filled him with joy. The humidity outside suffocated the spirit, but somehow, with this deal, he’d break free.
“Yes, you’ll see I mean business, Mr. Danvers. My business plans are long-term.”
Danvers sucked in his breath, as if he doubted the sincerity of Jay’s words, then told Jay, “And I’ll meet your girlfriend. It’s always telling with people from Miami. Flashy women and cars do not make good investments on my end.”
Jay gritted his teeth and tugged at his free ear, but kept the phone on the other. Miami advertised plastic women on the highway as a special brand. Flashy came with the area code. Instead he nodded and told the potential investor, “I understand. See you next week.”
He hung up the phone and stared out the window. The brightness showed his reflection and his grim frown. Jay needed to win. His eyebrows squished together. He’d pay the price for success. He had no other choice.
Jay’s mind raced to his technical girlfriend. Eva was the epitome of flashy, beautiful, and fake. She’d been a friend since high school, and two months ago, they ended up dating. On paper the award-winning dramatic actress, his money, and their history should be a match. Yet he couldn’t imagine his entire life videotaped.
If he walked away from her, there would be no regrets. His investors hoped he had a nice, sweet woman on the side. His cousin, Sandra, and her friend, Penelope, flashed in his head before he dropped the thought.
He pushed his hand on the glass window before he stepped back into the shadows of his office.
Darkness didn’t suit him either. Nothing stirred inside him anymore, though he craved something. Anything other than boredom from the sticky heat of his life.
He shook his head and poked his head out of his office. His secretary sat there typing. “Call Eva. Set up an appointment for us to talk today.”
With the click of the doorknob, he rolled up his sleeves. He needed the deal to put his goals in line with his investment portfolio.
His eyes narrowed in on the first words: long-term growth.
“Long-term” read to his eyes like a rescue rope. He blinked. Life should be lived with long-term goals to reach. Freedom meant change.
Today, he’d break up with Eva. He’d always hoped for a woman that tugged at his heartstrings. But hopes didn’t earn freedom. He’d prove to himself, and the others, that John Jay Marshall came out of the game of life on top.
Chapter Two
“Home, sweet, err…coffee.”
Getting out of her car, Penelope brushed her worn jeans to get out a small wrinkle. Not that it mattered. She smelled the coffee drawing her to the door. The delicious aroma of freshly brewed java that could wake her up waited inside. Gainesville had coffee shops, but nothing that held her heart like this place. In high school, this place was her mecca. Her stomach grumbled for the familiar drink.
The coffee shop looked almost the same as it had years ago, except for the aluminum tables and wooden chairs with red cushions. She remembered the plaid chairs and brown tables, but the place still calmed her, like she was coming home.
She stepped up to the counter. “I’ll have a cinnamon dulce nonfat latte, please.”
Leaving Gainesville after college had always been the plan. Just never back to Miami, but she’d changed. She could live here now.
She checked her lip gloss while she waited for the latte at the counter.
When she accepted the promotion from part-time to full-time, she knew she would have to face her mother and the catch of the month, Lars, her mother’s plastic surgeon. What that woman would do for a free tummy tuck.
The job she’d accepted had offered to triple her salary, provided she moved to the Coral Gables office. Somehow, she’d avoid her mother until necessary. What was the man’s name with money this week? Penny ignored that last call, knowing the man with the largest wallet always took precedence over whatever Penelope needed. She watched the barista get the nonfat milk and finish her latte. She’d succeed here, now. She had to.
She’d call Sandra, Eva, John, and Michael later. Wyatt, her half-brother, was stationed overseas, so she’d wait for his weekly call. These people were her real family.
The man handed her the latte. The first sip gave her the strength to do this. The tightness of the ride dissipated while she tasted her liquid savior. Sighing, she tasted heaven, the wake-up to her day.
“Penelope.”
Though the unmistakable voice was deeper, she knew who it was without even turning. Her high school crush, who never noticed her beyond her brain. Pulling at her pink tank top, she wished she’d worn better clothes. “John Jay.”
His steely blue eyes and sandy blond hair were the same color, but his build had grown more muscular. The leanness of his youth had given way to broad shoulders and hard, muscular arms. He had a straight, faded scar on his left cheek that was new—probably a bar fight. Rich boy wore his fancy, perfectly fitted polo and jeans, and was definitely hotter with age. His million-dollar smile and devastating dimples sparked a warm flush that sped through her all the way to the tips of her toes.
“I’m going by Jay these days. It’s less formal.” He winked at her, turning off his tablet and pointing her to his table.
“It’s a good name, but I still prefer Dimples,” she teased. “It’s what I called you on online whenever I needed you.”
His rich, deep laugh sent that familiar spark through her.
Damn. Rich boy knew his effect on women, including her. He could manipulate her when she went quiet, but she’d learned a lot in college. She’d not let him weaken her.
“When did you get back to town?”
“I’ve been in town for, like, five minutes. I stopped in for morning coffee. How have you been?”
“Good. Busy these days. You?”
She pushed back her hair, twisting her wrist, telling herself she was not the nerdy girl with a one-sided attraction any longer.
“I have a lot going on.”
&nbs
p; “Flirty, Warm Eyes. How come you never came home after college? The past few months you’ve been out of touch.”
“Warm Eyes” sounded new. She refused to dwell or wonder if it was a little forced. “You noticed? I’m surprised.”
“I noticed.”
She almost lost her balance looking at those dimples. Stifling a giggle, she shrugged, intending to be more adult. “I lost my computer connection at home. Question now turns to you. You weren’t too busy with the South Beach party life?”
“No. I missed our weekly chats.”
“You could have called me. I had my phone.” Not that they had the same view of each other. She was a friend. He had no idea about her fantasies. Staying away helped her forget the unattainable, perfect guy of her teenage years. Sandra kept her up on everything, but she had to ask. Gripping the empty cup tighter, she asked, “How is Tamara?”
She knew both his former and current girlfriend from high school. But she hadn’t heard what happened to the college sweethearts. “Tammy? I haven’t seen her since we graduated last year. I thought you were coming home then.”
“I am surprised. We all thought you two were destined for the altar.” Blonde, blue eyes, like him. They’d make gorgeous children one day. “When did that end?”
“The night before graduation at University of Miami. She moved to Los Angeles and neither of us wanted long-distance. You know how it is.” He shrugged. “I missed you, Pen.”
No. He didn’t mean that like a man interested in her. They’d never be a couple. Crossing her legs under the table, she tilted her head. “You miss the girl who could correct your math and did problems faster than you.”
“Only some of the time, but you were the only one who ever could pull that off. And I could probably beat you now.”
A challenge. This was familiar. “You think? I graduated with a mechanical engineer degree, about to start my job with Mueller Enterprises, so my skills are pretty fresh.”
“Finance and accounting. So we’re on point with our skills. Seeing you here, I’m getting a good idea.”
“Your ideas cost too much. I can’t fly off to Milan this weekend. I am rather busy.”
His eyes swam with excitement. “Penny, you’re exactly what I need. I’m happy you’re here. We always got along, didn’t we?”
“I always thought so.”
“Can I borrow you?” he asked.
Damn. Now that was a tempting flirt. Borrow her. What did that mean? On another morning, she’d have hopped up on that one, but wherever this was headed, she had no time for it.
“I can’t reminisce today, Jay. I have to find an apartment to move into.” She picked up the almost empty cup of coffee and stared at the two hundred feet to the door and her waiting rental car. Standing up, she pushed her chair out, picked up her purse, and told him, “I don’t have a lot of time for anything else.”
“You’re looking for a place?”
“I need a place to call my own before I start work.”
He scratched his chin. “I know the area, Penny. I have an idea already for a place you can stay—that is, if you will go out with me Friday.”
His blue eyes bored deep into her then she gazed toward the ground to catch her breath. “Thanks, but I think I can figure it out. We’re both from here, remember.”
“Look, we’ll go together. And I would like to take you out on Friday, regardless. But I have a great idea about where you can live.”
Her eyes widened. Letting him go with her would be a distraction. Besides, with his billions, their definition of a “suitable apartment” would not be the same. He’d never live in the real world. “Don’t be silly. I’m sure you have something important to do that doesn’t include me.”
“You’re important, Pen. You walking into this shop this morning is the answer to my prayers. I need a date, with someone believable, someone smart and able to hold a conversation. And you need an affordable place where you can live with a view.”
“I’d love to drop everything and follow you with a line like that.”
“I need you, and in exchange I can help. It’s a win-win in my book.”
He needed her? Her eyes widened. No way could this happen. John Jay Marshall had the looks, the money, and the connections to make any woman fall at his feet, especially her. She opened her mouth to tell him no. “I’d have written you off in high school if you didn’t turn out to be one of the smartest and nicest men. It’s why we kept in touch. So, okay, you can come with me and tell me your big plan about why you need a date so bad.”
Where had that come from? His thoughts on anything would distract her. In high school, she was the unnoticed friend, and she’d not go back to being on anyone’s sidelines.
He leaned closer with that smile that caused her legs to sway. “I guarantee you’ll love what I’m thinking for a place to stay, Penny. It has a view, so let’s sit and finish our coffees.”
“You’ve mentioned the view twice.” She placed her latte on the table, and he put his tablet away while she resettled in her seat. “Just because you’re helping doesn’t mean you can interfere.”
“Tell me how I became the luckiest guy on the planet seeing your face again.”
The boy she remembered knew how to flatter a girl. Back in the day, he had spoken and she had sighed and her eyes had drifted up into a dream world where he cared about her. But she had to let that go. Blinking, she dropped her arms and decided to answer his question. “I’m here for my first full-time job. I’m so happy to have this, finally. It’s been harder than I thought finding the position. Now I have this weekend to get my life situated, because I start work Monday morning. I need to impress the new bosses.”
“You will. You’re smart. The job is in the Gables?”
“Yeah.” She met his eyes.
Jay nodded. “Good. You are staying. Penny, you deserve a good paying job. You’re one of the few women I trust right now, and I need you on my arm Friday.”
Smart did not equate to pretty. She deflated fast. In Miami, the value remained firmly beauty over brains. This was part of why she never wanted to come back. “I lost my glasses, replacing them with contacts. Other than that, I am pretty much the same.” She shrugged.
“I see that. You’re adorable and perfect.” He put his hand on hers, and a jolt rushed through her.
Pathetic to be crushing on a guy from five years ago, but here she was staring into his brilliant blue eyes. This needed to end. “What’s the favor, Dimples?”
“See? We have history. It will work.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What will work?”
“I need a date to a party on Friday, who will pretend we’ve kept our relationship secret for a while.”
“Sandra told me you have a girlfriend.”
“So you have been talking about me.” His lips spread into an even bigger smile, if that was possible. “My cousin doesn’t know everything.”
“You know Sandra. The conversation goes where she wants it to go. She said Eva suits you perfectly. I am surprised you didn’t hook up in high school, though you were into Tamara.”
“I’m breaking up with her in about two hours. We agreed on the time already. I decided before you walked in the door, but it left me dateless for Friday. I need to impress people then, but I don’t want to pretend with someone I need to walk away from.”
She gritted her teeth. This was why she’d never date a rich man. She refused to be replaceable. Eva finished being the trophy. “You can’t be serious.”
“I need to show that I’m dating a woman with class and things in common with me.”
“I can’t help you. Don’t be serious. I’m not an actress, rich boy. That’s Eva.”
“Actress isn’t what I need or want. I need someone genuine, and we’ll help each other.”
How was she going to impress anyone? “Look, Eva’s gorgeous. Jaw dropping. A bombshell. Everyone wants to be her. Every guy wants to date her. Why not wait and break up after the event?�
�
He stopped moving. “Please, Penny. Eva’s demanding, and expects more from me than I want to give. Please save me.”
His sad, pleading expression reminded her of a lost puppy in need of saving. She had returned to high school in less than ten minutes. College hadn’t meant a thing. “You win, Jay. I’ll be your backup girl, though no one might believe you chose the nerd over the award-winning actress. I have one condition—well, two.”
“Name them.” Gone was the pleading face, replaced by one of triumph. His eyes twinkled and that damn dimple stared back at her. He’d find someone else in no time, leaving her safe from his charm.
“One, you show me this magnificent place for me to live today. I don’t want to be homeless or go to my mother’s house. I can’t go back there. You’re a better alternative.”
“Done.” His eyes sparkled.
“Two, I don’t know if I’ll have a fancy dress back here yet. My stuff is still up north. Tell me what to wear and I’ll figure something out.”
“I’ll get you something. Don’t worry about it.”
“I buy my own clothes, Dimples.”
“We can consider it part of the favor.”
“Then we can forget this. Tell me what to get.”
“We’ll be at a charity event on Collins for dinner, dancing, the press. You know.” He shrugged, as if it were an everyday thing having your face in the newspaper—and for him, it was.
Going wasn’t good. She asked him, “What will the papers say about us? ‘Most eligible man in Miami, heir to the Marshall fortune, dates his high school math league partner.’”
He shook his head, telling her, “Or ‘Marshall, on the fast track with his own company, listed in the upcoming July issue of Forbes as one of the biggest up-and-coming financial titans, shows class with a caring woman.’”
The press in Miami? He must not be serious. She’d not be wearing designer anything. Penny pasted a smile on her face. She’d carve out time to hit a few thrift shops tomorrow, searching for something. The press would call it “vintage” if she found the right one. It worked for prom, and it would work again. Besides, it was not like she had much money these days. Going from fifteen thousand part-time to forty-five thousand full-time meant she’d stay frugal. She would have enough to eat, once she started getting paid. The tight budget, for once, had an end date. Payday.
Favorite Coffee, Favorite Crush Page 1