The Movies Make It Look Easy

Chapter 28

Shannon’s P.O.V:

It was a slow day at the Café.
It was so slow that Rick had actually gone out and left us in charge.
Jenny had barely done anything since she walked in the door and the moment that Rick left she had sat down and refused to do any work at all –
Her phone was more important apparently – and then she’d abruptly gotten up around half an hour later and sauntered out the door leaving Becky and I watching the slowly closing door in confusion.

I was sitting on a stool I’d found out back, behind the counter throwing a tennis ball in the air when I heard the bell above the door jingle.
I quickly stowed the ball beneath the counter and pasted a smile on my face before looking up.
When I saw who it was my fake smile immediately dropped and I pulled the ball back out and began to throw it in the air again.
His eyebrows rose,
‘Don’t look too happy to see me’ he said dryly as he made his way towards me.
When he was leaning against the counter I looked at him and smiled,
‘So what brings you here?’
He shrugged, ‘I was bored’
There was a faint whine in his tone that made me snort.
‘You could of course go to class?’
‘Nah’
‘Didn’t think so’ I laughed.
I put the ball away and rested my elbows on the counter, placing my chin in my hands so I was facing him,
‘So you just decided to come visit me?’
‘I had nothing better to do’ he said, smirking.
‘Ouch’ I stuck my tongue out at him.

I barely registered a door opening and closing behind me as we smiled at eachother.
‘Who’s this then?’
I heard Becky’s voice behind me.
I sat up and turned to face her. She was watching us curiously with one eyebrow raised in question.
I laid my hand gently on his back as he rested his chin on his hands.
‘This is Nick’ I told her, ‘my roommate’
Her eyebrows almost disappeared into her hairline.
‘You’re the guy who made Jenny late for work and got Shannon in trouble?’
He sighed and glanced contritely at me before nodding.
She rounded on me, ‘I see you’ve forgiven him’
I didn’t reply.
She looked back at Nick and narrowed her eyes slightly.
‘Well I don’t forgive so easily, you can’t win me over with one of those million dollar smiles, someone’s got to look out for her’
She stabbed her finger at me as she spoke.
He raised his hands in mock defeat, but didn’t seem to know what to say. I didn’t either for a matter of fact.
We were saved – well, saved isn’t really the right word – from having to think of a response when the bell above the door jingled again. Becky and I looked up while Nick absently played with a strand of my hair as it trailed on the countertop.

Jenny walked in from God knows where. When she saw Nick she stopped before a smile spread across her face. She hurried over to the counter and threw me a venomous look when she saw my hand on his back and my hair twirled around one of his fingers.
‘Nick!’ she practically squealed.
He froze, letting go of my hair.
He didn’t stand up straight though and I slowly removed my hand and sat up, away from the counter, not really sure what was going to happen.
Becky stopped what she was doing as she watched with unmitigated interest to see what Nick was going to do – she really didn’t trust him.
He slowly turned his head, not moving away from the counter –
From me I hoped.
‘Um hey...you’ he said hesitantly.
‘You came to visit me! I knew you would’
She threw me a smug look but I didn’t say anything or even give her a dirty look in return.
Nick glanced at me, frowning, obviously having seen the look. He turned back to Jenny.
‘Actually, I came to see her’ he pointed at me. She looked ready to explode.
‘You came to see that bitch and not me?’

Any trace of a friendly smile that had been on Nick’s face vanished.
‘I don’t appreciate you calling her a bitch, especially when you’re clearly the only bitch here’ he said tightly;
‘I thought I made it clear that night that it was a one-off and then when I heard you’d told people you were my girlfriend, I told you again that it was a one-night thing and that I didn’t want anything to do with you. So that’s why I didn’t come see you and never will’
Without another word he turned back to me.
I had to duck my head so that she couldn’t see me over Nick’s back at the look on her face.
It was priceless.
I clamped my lips together to prevent the laughter that was bubbling up inside me from escaping. When I had myself under control I looked up to see Nick watching me intently. Becky had gone to serve some customers that had appeared without me realising and Jenny had flounced out back.

I reached up and started gathering my long hair to tie into a ponytail. Nick watched my every movement with fascination.
‘I think I officially love you’ I told him grinning as I dropped my hands back to the counter.
He smirked.
‘Well that’s a given...but I’ll need it in writing anyway’ he laughed.
‘You’re such a weirdo’
His face turned serious again as he continued to watch at me with fathomless eyes.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jenny enter the room. She immediately moved as far away from us as possible and began to text furiously, occasionally shooting us filthy looks.
I focused on Nick again.
‘How’s your hand?’
I wrinkled my nose, ‘alright’
I held it out for him to inspect. It was almost back to normal, just a shade or two pinker than my other hand, though it had been sore and hot to the touch for most of yesterday.
He grabbed my wrist in one hand and stroked my palm lightly with the fingers of his other hand as he checked to see if I really was alright.
I had to fight the shiver of pleasure that engulfed me at his touch.
‘Are you sure?’ he asked without looking up.
‘Yep, it’s just a bit tender’
He grinned quickly at me before lifting my hand and kissing the centre of my palm.
‘All better’ he winked.
Tingles broke out in my hand and my stomach tightened but I tried my best to ignore it.
‘So obvious and so simple, why didn’t I think of that?’ I said sarcastically.
‘Because you’re not a genius like me’ he retorted, not letting go of my hand.
I snorted derisively; ‘guess not’

I looked up to see Rick walking in the door.
When he passed me he shook his head tiredly,
‘No boyfriends at the counter Shannon’ he said half-heartedly.
I grinned at him, saluting.
‘When I get one, I’ll make sure to let him know Boss’
He looked pointedly at Nick and our joined hands.
‘This is Nick, Shannon’s roommate’ Becky supplied as she came behind the counter with a stacked tray balanced on one arm.
Rick glanced over to where Jenny was studiously ignoring us.
‘So you’re the one that made an employee of mine late for work?’
Nick dropped his head with a groan,
‘God, you make one mistake in this town...’ he muttered and immediately winced when he realised what he’d said.
Rick’s lips twitched and I bit my lip to keep from laughing. Becky however laughed openly and had to set her tray down for fear of it falling onto the floor.
‘I’ve changed my mind about you’ she said between her laughter,
‘You’re forgiven and I officially like you’
Nick sent her one of his dazzling smiles and she looked quite uncomfortable for someone who’d told him that his “million dollar smiles” didn’t work on her.
‘I’m glad’ he told her honestly.
I glanced at Jenny and the saying “if looks could kill” crossed my mind before I looked away again.
‘Shannon, make sure Toby gets this list on Sunday, no doubt you’ll be talking to him’
I turned my head to see Rick mid eye-roll as he pinned a short list on the corkboard we kept for notes on the wall behind the counter.
I didn’t bother to reply because he was already halfway through the door to the storeroom.
‘Who’s Toby?’ I heard Nick ask.
His face was carefully blank.
‘The delivery guy’
‘Oh’

The door opened admitting four women about our age, maybe a year or two older. They all started to giggle as one of them pointed at Nick.
‘We’ve got an audience’ I said before correcting myself;
‘I mean you have an audience’
He glanced back at them causing more giggling to erupt as they sat down at a table in direct sightline of his ass.
‘Sorry ladies, I’m taken’ he said before turning back to me.
I dragged my gaze away from where the four of them had put their heads together and begun to whisper to arch my eyebrows at Nick who was grinning lazily at me; tongue curled behind his teeth.
‘That’s news to me’
He leaned in conspiratorially,
‘Play along’ he said, winking as he leant back again.
‘Besides, would it be so awful to pretend to be with me?’
I leaned in just as he’d done moments ago, fighting a smile,
‘Kind of’ I whispered, hopping off the stool as he narrowed his eyes at me.

I grabbed a notepad and pen and headed over to the only table being used, well aware that Nick had turned to watch me.
When I reached the table, the girl closest to me – a redhead who wore far too much makeup – glanced behind me before looking back to me.
‘Is he your boyfriend?’ she asked nodding in his direction.
I only hesitated for a second before answering;
‘Yes’
I glanced back to see a smug smile on his face. I answered with one of my own before turning back to the women who were watching us.
I frowned, ‘he’s my boyfriend, and I love him...I do...though I don’t know why...’
I trailed off, bending down slightly so I was closer to them. They leaned in, waiting for me to continue.
‘He has stamina problems’ I stage whispered, causing all four of them to burst out laughing.
I straightened up, glancing back again, revelling in the shocked look that had overtaken Nick’s face.
‘He’s fast asleep ten minutes in, poor baby’ I let out a theatrical, long-suffering sigh as I slowly shook my head.
The women laughed harder.

Suddenly I felt a hand clamp over my mouth and an arm wrap around my waist.
‘You’re evil’ he whispered in my ear, his lips brushing my skin.
A shiver made its way down my spine at the contact.
‘I’ll have you know ladies that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with my stamina’ he grinned flirtatiously at them.
Without any warning he picked me up, his hand still covering my mouth, and carried me behind the counter and through the half open storeroom door, kicking it shut behind us.
He put me down and pushed me against the door, placing an arm on either side of me so I couldn’t move – not that I wanted to... but that was neither here nor there.
‘That wasn’t very nice’ he said softly, bending his head down to my level.
I could feel his breath tickling me and again I shivered, hoping it wasn’t noticeable.
I smiled evilly at him when I got an idea.
Without saying anything, I tugged my shirt out from where it was tucked into my apron.
Nick watched; his gaze riveted on what I was doing. When I started to unbutton the bottom of my shirt so it exposed my stomach, he stepped back frowning,
‘What are you doing?’ his voice sounded strange like he was struggling with something.
I still didn’t say anything as I unbuttoned the top button so you could glimpse flashes of my white lacy bra when I moved.
He raked his hand through his hair as he tried not to stare – tried and failed. I turned and opened the door, re-entering the Café with Nick at my heels. As I’d known they would, everyone looked up as we made our entrance.
I began to slowly and obviously re-button my shirt.
When I was done I glanced at Nick and grinned to myself. His hair was even more messy than usual from him running his hand through it, backing up what my un-buttoned shirt already indicated.
I arranged my features in a sympathetic look, patting Nick on the arm as I addressed the room – thank God no new customers had come in while we were in the back –
‘You see what I mean? Finished already’
The women started to laugh again and Becky grinned at me – I didn’t look at Jenny.
I looked back at Nick to see him staring at me helplessly in horror; mouth agape. I couldn’t help the self-satisfied smile that crossed my face.

He collapsed onto the stool I’d vacated and I was sure I heard him mutter ‘Evil genius!’ under his breath.
The women went back to their conversation and a middle-aged couple wandered in.
I leaned against him, putting my arm around his shoulders, for once being taller than him.
His arm automatically went around my waist as he stared at the counter in horror.
‘You okay?’ I teased.
He looked at me and pouted.
‘I’m officially ending our fake relationship’
I chuckled.
‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you’ I told him, smiling.
‘Why?’ he looked confused – and also something...more.
‘Because’ I said, still smiling as I pulled myself onto his lap.
He locked his arms around me to balance me.
‘No one else will have you once word of your little problem gets out’
His head flopped onto my shoulder as he groaned.
‘You’re right, what am I going to do?’ he said in a stricken voice.
I shrugged, ‘meh, it’ll stop you from bringing sluts home’
Unconsciously, my gaze started to slide towards Jenny but I stopped myself before I could look at her.
He groaned again.
‘But I have needs!’ he said desperately, his voice muffled against my shirt as he clung to me.
I stroked his hair soothingly; trying not to laugh.
‘And I’m sure Mark will be more than willing to help with any or all of your needs’ I replied sarcastically.
He looked up then, his lips twitching.
‘You are so going to pay for this later’
I tapped his nose, ‘really? What are you going to do, sit on me?’
He smiled, a private smile that I knew was just for me –
That knowledge made me feel warm inside –
‘I just might’ he said completely seriously.
His smile widened as the proverbial lightbulb went on in his brain.
‘Or’ he continued in a hushed voice, ‘I could tickle you’
His hands moved to my sides and I grabbed them before he could do anything.
‘You wouldn’t’ I said in an equally hushed voice.
‘Not right now, but as I said you’re going to pay later’
He twisted our hands so that our fingers were interlinked.

I eventually had to move from my comfy position to start clearing tables, again the Café was empty – it was a really slow day, especially considering it was Friday. I was pleased to see though that the four women had left me a generous tip.
I was aware the whole time as I stacked cups and plates on an empty tray and wiped down tables of Nick’s gaze on me. When I was walking back to the counter I raised my eyebrow.
He was still sitting on the stool and his head was resting in his hands as he watched me.
‘You should probably go you know’ I told him.
He pouted, ‘why?’
I rolled my eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world,
‘Because I have better things to do’
A smile pulled at my lips at the wounded look on his face.
‘Like?’
‘Like...’
I glanced around for inspiration but I only saw Becky.
I grabbed her.
‘Like gossiping about boys’ I smiled innocently at him.
‘I can gossip’ he said, leaning forward.
I glanced at Becky who was smirking.
She turned to me;
‘Oh my God, did you see Toby last week?’ she gushed
‘I know, isn’t he so dreamy’ I replied, my tone matching hers.
We both turned to look at Nick who was watching us with a vaguely horrified expression on his face.
Becky’s phone started to ring and she wandered away to answer it.
I got a cloth and began to clean the counter just to give myself something to do.

‘So you think Toby’s dreamy?’ Nick asked eventually.
I barely glanced up from where I was scrubbing at a coffee stain.
I managed to lift one of my shoulders in a shrug.
‘I dunno, I just said that to make a point’
I paused to blow some wisps of hair out of my eyes before continuing to scrub.
‘So you don’t think he’s dreamy?’
‘Does it matter?’ I asked as I moved to a new spot.
When he was silent, I sighed before I answered, knowing he wanted one.
‘He’s just Toby; I can’t give you a better answer than that. And I swear to God if you ask what his intentions are, I might just throw this dirty cloth in your face’
I looked up then to see him watching me intently, his eyes unreadable. He looked as though he’d opened his mouth to ask what Toby’s intentions were when I’d cut him off.
I mentally rolled my eyes – he was so predictable.
‘Jeez, you’re acting like my brother you know that?’
He looked surprised, ‘your brother?’
I nodded.
‘Please don’t compare me to your brother’
I was saved from having from having to answer or at least form a comprehensible response when Becky wandered back over.
‘I’m so bored’ she sighed.
I nodded my head in agreement as she joined me in cleaning the counter.
‘Jokes apart’ I said to Nick, ‘you probably should go, Rick will kill me if he sees you sitting there’
I wasn’t sure if he’d be angry but it was better to be safe than sorry.

He stretched his hands high above his head, giving us all a (very very nice) view of his stomach.
I swallowed and stared determinedly at the counter as I scoured it so vigorously that my shoulder was starting to hurt.
I looked up again when he’d finished stretching – there was a glint in his eye that looked a lot like amusement.
‘What am I supposed to do at home though?’ he whined.
I immediately clamped my hand over his mouth.
‘Don’t even think about pouting at me, it won’t work’ I warned.
He grinned when I removed my hand,
‘You know me too well’ he said with satisfaction.
I snorted in response.
I stopped what I was doing and looked at him.
‘In answer to your earlier question, before you threatened to pout’
He grinned quickly.
‘You could always be really really nice and make me something?’
Something flitted across his face too fast for me to catch before he eyed me warily.
‘What kind of something?’
‘Like cookies? Or a cake?’
I batted my eyelashes at him and I could’ve sworn that he looked relieved for a moment.
He sighed; ‘I’ll see what I can do’
I smiled and clapped my hands together at the thought of cookies.
I leaned in and pinched his cheek gently,
‘I knew there was a reason I kept you around’
He smirked,
‘We both know that’s not the only reason’.
I didn’t answer and thankfully I didn’t blush either.

He stood up and slowly made his way back around the counter, stopping when he was level with me,
‘I can’t believe you’re kicking me out like this. It’s so cruel’ he pretended to wipe a tear from underneath his eye.
‘You’re too distracting’
I smiled ruefully at him, earning me one of his blinding grins.
‘Whatever will I do at home all by myself?’
‘You’ll manage’ I told him, rolling my eyes at his theatrics,
‘And besides, my shift doesn’t end for another hour and half, there’s no point in you sitting here for that long especially when you could me making me food’ I pointed out.
‘True’ he sighed.
He quickly pecked me on the cheek, nodding at Becky as he walked to the door.
‘Bye Sweetheart’ he said and was gone.

I felt strangely empty as the door shut behind him but I shrugged the feeling off.
Shortly after, Jenny followed suit, making sure to give Becky and I what can only be described as a death glare.
I’d almost forgotten she was in the room.
‘What’s her problem?’ I asked when she’d flounced out the door.
Becky looked at me like I was stupid;
‘She’s just angry because Nick blew her off in a less than nice way – though she deserved it and more – and could barely keep his eyes off you, no...’
She corrected herself,
‘he didn’t take his eyes off you once, he didn’t stop flirting, you were sitting in his lap, he kissed you when he left, he called you Sweetheart and it was pretty obvious that he didn’t remember her name’
She rolled her eyes.
‘The list could go on. She’s a hateful slutty bitch so just ignore her’ she said matter-of-factly before moving further down the counter to a spot that I hadn’t scrubbed viciously when I was trying to ignore the eye-candy flaunting itself in front of me (i.e. Nick)

I didn’t say anything as she walked away but I don’t think she expected an answer.
For her everything was in black and white –
She’d stated what was, in her eyes a fact (though I wouldn’t agree with the flirting part or the he didn’t take his eyes off me part) and that was that.
I envied how everything was so simple for her.
Life was so much more complicated when shades of grey were added to the black and white.

Even as those thoughts crossed my mind, I couldn’t help a smile of happiness from spreading across my face when her back was turned.