Banshee Part 3
"He's early!"
The unexpected squeal made me twitch and I nearly dropped the bowl of frosting. I reminded myself not to glare at my boss as I turned to look at her. After all, I needed this job and she already complained that I didn't smile enough.
"Who's early?" I asked and Chrissy grinned at me.
"The Cupcake Guy!" Ah, that explained the squeal. I had never seen the 'Cupcake Guy'- he usually showed up in the afternoons and I only worked mornings, but I had heard all about him from my female coworkers. Apparently he was drop-dead gorgeous, polite, and really liked cupcakes.
Chrissy leaned over my shoulder. "Hey- are those cupcakes ready yet?"
"I need to frost them," I pointed out and set the frosting on the counter.
"How long for one? He said he'd be okay with a muffin, but I know he likes the cupcakes the best-"
"Not more than a few minutes." I needed to fill the bag first so I could frost, but that wouldn't take long. "Is that okay?"
"Great! Bring one out when it's ready? Boxed to go? With sprinkles? Thanks Heero!" She vanished out towards the front and I hurried to fill the pastry bag. No need to get Chrissy's favorite customer upset because he had to wait.
Stifling a yawn, I piped the frosting onto one of the cupcakes, shook some sprinkles over it and then grabbed a box. At least I didn't have to work the club tonight- I'd be able to go home after my afternoon shift and lock myself in my apartment for the night. Again.
When was that bastard going to give up? First my car- then those elfkin on the corner- I knew he wouldn't dare come into my building- he wouldn't cause a scene- but- he was obviously running out of patience. If only I could afford to quit the club... there were too many elfkin there... but I needed the money.
Box closed, cupcake safe inside, I went out to the front. We were really busy, and Chrissy and Sarah had their hands full. Chrissy tilted her head to the right when she saw me.
"He's by the window- the guy in black."
I slid out from behind the counter and blinked at the man with the braid standing by the window. I knew the Cupcake Guy. It was the dragonkin- Duo. My savior twice over, though he didn't know it and I wasn't going to tell him.
"This is yours," I said as I approached him, holding out the box. He looked up from his coffee cup and I saw his eyes widen a little in surprise. No wonder the girls went insane when he came in. I had only really seen him in dim light- and I had thought he was beautiful- but in sunlight he was dazzling.
"Thanks," he said and smiled at me. "I didn't know you worked here."
"I work here in the mornings- and you usually come in the afternoon," I told him as he took the box.
"How did you know that?"
"The girls talk about you." He turned a faint pink and glanced towards the counter.
"Oh..." He was flustered. It was cute really, if you didn't know that he could turn into a ten foot lizard with really sharp teeth that might eat you for thinking so. "Uh... thanks for getting me a cupcake... early... I mean..."
Definitely cute. "You're welcome." Before I could retreat back behind the counter, he put his fingers on my sleeve- gently- not holding- just enough to make me pause.
"Are you working tonight? Do you- need- that is- would you like- a ride home?" Nice save.
"Cousin dragging you out again?"
"He's threatened to."
"No. It's kind of you- but I don't work there on Fridays, thankfully."
"Drat." He gave me a hopeful smile. "Don't suppose I could take you out for dinner? It'd be a favor to me- saving me from my cousin."
Oh- that was tempting. But- I wanted to be in- home and out of range - but... Duo was a dragon, and even he wouldn't mess with a dragonkin!... and Duo could get me home afterwards... right to my window...
"All right," it came out without another thought. "As long as it's early."
"Five-ish?"
"I get off my afternoon job at five- how about five thirty? Where?"
"Know where the Compound is?"
I snorted. Who didn't? Most of the magical beings knew where it was- and stayed the hell away from it. "Of course."
"Meet me there? On the corner of 21st and Gold?"
"I'll be there." That got me a smile that would have made one of the counter girls melt. His fingers slid away from my sleeve and I returned to the counter. Chrissy hissed at me as I walked past.
"Was the cupcake okay? He talked to you for a bit-"
"He's a friend of mine," I told her, stretching the truth a little and saw her jaw drop slightly.
"You never said!"
"I didn't know he was Cupcake Guy," I countered and retreated to the back to finish the cupcakes. Thankfully, the rush continued until the end of my shift. I left the bakery and went home to quickly clean up and change before heading out again.
I was halfway through my afternoon shift, in the middle of shelving a new shipment, when he showed up. I should've known my day was going too well...
"Here you are," his voice set my teeth on edge. I didn't look up from my shelving.
"Can I help you find something?" I asked and bit down on what I really wanted to say.
"Heero- when are you going to be sensible?"
I put the books down on the cart and looked at him. "Something in self-help maybe? That's two aisles over."
He frowned, flicking his ponytail over his shoulder. "You can't like this. Working three jobs? Wasting your skills? When will you accept my offer?"
"Ah, so you're looking for religious solace," I pointed to the back wall. "You should be able to find something about hell freezing over back there."
"Heero- I've been considerate- I've let you alone to think it over- but-"
That was too much. "I wasn't aware that vandalizing my car and setting one of your little gangs on me was leaving me alone, Zechs," I hissed back.
"What?" Oh, that was good. He actually looked surprised. "What happened to your car? What gang?"
I shook my head at him and picked up another stack of books. "I'm sorry I can't help you, please excuse me. I have work to do." He didn't follow me as I moved to a different section and began to put books away.
If he wasn't lying- and he lied as easily as he breathed- then who was after me? Zechs had many loyal friends- and then there was his family-
Maybe it was time for me to leave the city. I couldn't really afford to leave- but- what else was there to do?
TBC...
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