Free No Strings Attached by Kate Angell Page A

the purchases.”
    Men, Jen mused. A little dazzle near the navel and their eyes dilated.
    “No need to wrap the chain,” Kami said. “I’ll wear it.”
    Mac signed the credit slip. It was a nice sale for Jen, her biggest of the day. She hoped Mac kept his word and paid Dune back.
    Mac and his date were ready to leave when Kami noticed the poster hanging on the wall that listed all the upcoming boardwalk and beach events. She put her finger under each word as if she couldn’t read and comprehend an entire sentence all at once.
    She was still a little drunk, Jen guessed.
    “Look at all these events to kick off summer,” Kami slowly said. “Stand Up Paddle Races and the Boat Float. There’s sandcastle building and a kite flying contest. The Sneaker Ball, how cool is that? It’s this weekend. Let’s do it. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce.”
    Jen’s stomach squeezed just a little. She’d had the chance to go with him. She’d busted his balls instead.
    To her surprise, Mac didn’t jump on Kami’s offer. He leveled his gaze on Jen instead. Her heart rate did the unthinkable. It quickened. Goose bumps skimmed her spine. Restlessness shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She looked away.
    “You’d have a great time,” she said to Kami. A ticket sale was a ticket sale. A couple’s ticket went for two hundred dollars.
    “Are you going?” Kami asked her.
    “No date, but I’ll be there,” Jen said.
    Kami frowned. “You can’t go alone. Invite a guy buddy or a friend with benefits.”
    Jen had numerous male friends. But they already had dates.
    “As far as relationships, Jen has her T-shirts and the boardwalk,” Mac said. “They keep her happy.”
    “I prefer men,” said Kami.
    Mac was definitely a man. He was also an ass. Jen gave a wave, then hinted, “See you.” Hoping they’d leave. They did, and neither one looked back.
    At six p.m. sharp, Jen’s part-time associate clocked in. Jamie Maye was a high school student, smart and dependable, while exploring her own sense of self. She’d recently added orange highlights to her brown hair. A new piercing placed a barbell above her left eyebrow. She ran track and was a star in the fifty-yard dash. She had a high metabolism and packed protein snacks for her three-hour shift.
    Jen left Three Shirts in good hands. She met up with Bree Bennett at Brews Brothers, the boardwalk coffee shop. It was a weekly ritual between friends. They’d order caramel mocha iced cappuccinos, kick back, and discuss their day.
    The scents of freshly brewed coffee, cinnamon scones, and peanut butter cookies teased Jen when she entered. Shades of green gave the shop a relaxing atmosphere. Philodendrons flourished in hanging brass planters. Booths, tables, and clusters of chairs invited customers to sit and savor their coffee of choice. Wi-Fi was available. There was no rush.
    Bree was already seated when Jen arrived. She’d grabbed two comfortable leather chairs in the corner. She’d angled them to face each other for privacy. Their drinks sat on a side table. They took turns buying.
    Bree was all smiles. “I booked the Abner-Jacobs wedding,” she said. “After a month of my sending faxes and proposals to the bride, Genevieve Jacobs picked Petals over Saunders’ Bouquets. I finally beat the competition.”
    Jen raised her plastic cup and the women toasted. “That’s major money coming your way.”
    “I’m going to hire extra help,” Bree said. “It’s a society wedding, very classic and sophisticated. The church theme is lavender and ivory. The reception will showcase a deeper plum and dove white.”
    “Best news ever,” Jen said, then added tongue-in-cheek. “Looks like Flower School paid off.”
    “I owe you a lot,” said Bree. “The Floral Design Institute was your idea. Knowing how much I enjoyed pruning plants and arranging cut flowers, you pushed me toward a degree. You even filled out my application. And, once I was accepted,