Nicholas’s mouth gaped open. “Noooo. Tell me more.”
Damn gossipmonger. “There is nothing more.”
A hard knock sounded on the door. Nicholas moved out of the way as Donovan told the newcomer to enter.
A second later, August walked in. “Why is there a strange woman behind the counter with Ella?”
Nicholas closed the door. “Good timing. I was about to get the scoop.”
“There is no scoop,” Donovan said through clenched teeth.
“You mean hiring the woman who talked shit about the shop doesn’t count as scoop? I don’t know about that,” Nicholas said.
“You hired the woman who talked shit about the shop?” August chimed in, his puzzlement clear.
“Yes,” Nicholas said eagerly. “And we’re not allowed to date her because he already put in his claim.”
Donovan’s teeth ground together. “There is no claim. She’s a grown woman who can do what she pleases. Regardless, you need to keep your hands to yourself.” Nicholas could and had charmed the panties off countless women. Undoubtedly, Jada would respond to Nicholas’s approach better than she had to Donovan’s brusque, argumentative, combative demeanor. Which wasn’t his usual state. He was usually thoroughly logical and calm. Not that it mattered what his state was. He wasn’t interested in her. She wasn’t interested in him, and even if those statements weren’t true, they still wouldn’t date. Jumping into a relationship would only distract him from his goals.
“So she works here now?” August asked, still clearly confused. “You sure that’s a good idea?”
“Yes.” Donovan quickly explained the situation, ignoring the way his business partners’ facial expressions cycled between amusement, confusion, astonishment, understanding, and in Nicholas’s case, utter giddiness. “Don’t worry. She’ll report to me, and I’ll train her.”
Nicholas nudged August with his elbow. “Told you. He already put in a claim.”
Donovan glared at his best friend. “Get out of my office.”
Chapter Five
Jada hung back while Ella helped a customer. She didn’t know what else to do. She was so out of her element.
Ella kept staring at her like she was a bug under a microscope, only pausing her inspection when she had to help customers. Two men she assumed were Donovan’s business partners and teammates, based on their physiques, had taken one look at her and disappeared around the same corner as Donovan had earlier.
Jada was mostly just trying to stay out of the way. She didn’t want to drop the merchandise or accidentally give the wrong product to a customer or any other of the limitless possible calamities running roughshod through her brain.
If her gaze kept sliding to the hallway, where her erstwhile boss had fled like the hounds of hell were chasing him, well, that was simply because he was the only person she knew here. It wasn’t like she missed or anticipated their antagonistic banter or anything.
But the latest customer was walking away from the counter carrying a to-go box, and Ella was back to staring at her, twirling one of her shoulder blade–length box braids around her finger. She was a cute girl, a few inches taller than Jada, with curious brown eyes, a round face, and medium-brown skin.
“How long have you worked here?” Jada asked to break up the awkwardness.
“Well, the store’s only been open a little less than three months. I’ve been here since the beginning. I’ve known Donovan my whole life. My family lived next door to his in Oakland. When I moved here for college, I needed a job with flexible hours, he needed the help, so here I am.” Her eyes widened. “Don’t worry. He’s old, and he’s basically my big brother.”
Jada chuckled. Donovan couldn’t be a day over thirty. Then, the other part of Ella’s response registered. She blinked. “Worry?”
“I was here the other day when you came in.”
“Oh.” For some reason, she had a hard time remembering anything other than her umm, spirited, exchange with Donovan from that encounter.
“I also saw y’all when I walked in today,” Ella added, like that explained everything. “It was kinda hot,” she continued when Jada stared at her blankly.
How to respond to that? “Umm…”
Ella snapped her fingers. “Now I remember where I know you from. It’s been bothering me. I saw it on Instagram. You’re that girl from that show!”
Every muscle in Jada’s body froze.