Stripping Callum (Last Hangman MC Book 6) Read online

  Working in a friendly and inviting environment is going to be just what I need. I’ve been trying to keep my spirits afloat, but it’s getting hard the closer I get to giving birth. I’m scared shitless of what I’m going to do once my son is here.

  I don’t have much more time to dwell on what I’m going to do, as I’m walking through the door of my new workplace. The bell chimes and the bitter aroma of coffee mixed with the sweet vanilla scent of cupcakes hits my nose. Heaven. I smile taking in the place once again but with a different perspective as the place is still empty.

  It’s quiet, for once. The cupcakes just finished baking, and they are roasting the coffee for the morning rush. Sometimes you feel like you know this is where you’re supposed to be; this is one of those moments. I know I was supposed to walk in here and ask for an application.

  My new boss, Josie, is the shit! She’s really understanding and doesn’t mind me being close to pop. She reassured me that when I can’t work any longer until the baby is a couple of months old that she’ll hold my spot for me. I don’t know what makes her be so kind. Maybe it’s the pastry goodness that is laid out in the window display. I legit could devour it all. I’d probably end up being sick, but it would be so worth it.

  “Good morning, Annabella,” Josie chimes as she brings in a tray of what appears to be her signature treat, red velvet donuts. They look and smell amazing, and I want to dig into the tray. They don’t smell oily or greasy. They smell like heavenly cakes that just finished baking.

  “Good morning, boss.” I smile and walk to the counter.

  “Please don’t call me that. It’s either Josie or Donut Mama.” She chuckles.

  “Good to know, although Donut Mama would be a bit weird.”

  “I know. My daughter’s friends named me that ages ago when they were younger. Go figure.” She playfully rolls her eyes and walks over, smiling at me and then at the bump. “How is Bumpy today?”

  “Excited for his first day at work, and I think he enjoys the smell as much as I do.” I rub my bump as I feel him move.

  “Can I?” She holds a tentative hand out, and I nod. She places it next to mine and sighs happily. “I miss that feeling. I only have one daughter, but those moments were magical.”

  “It is magical and very special. I’m just worried a lot.”

  “About what, darling?” She wraps an arm around my shoulders and walks me to the employee room. It’s a decent size room with a nice view over a little garden. There are two couches, a coffee table, and lockers.

  “Well, I’m seventeen and single. I don’t know anyone around here, and it’s just scary.” I blow out a breath.

  “You have me and Gail, your co-worker. You two are going to get along great, don’t worry. We’re here to help you out.”

  “Why?” I ask the question I never asked anyone who’s willingly helped me without asking for anything in return.

  “Because I know how hard life can be. I haven’t been in your shoes, but I’ve seen my fair share of messed up situations unfold around me. If I can prevent anything bad from happening to someone, then I’ll be happy I did the right thing. Besides, if I were in your situation, I’d appreciate for someone to offer me some help. I’m just doing what’s normal for me to do.” She shrugs and helps me take off my jacket. Not that I need any help, but you can tell that she does that with a lot of people. She’s a really maternal person, and I think I’ll be grateful to have her in my life. Not just for work, but for moral support.

  “Thank you, Josie. You have no idea how much all of this means to me.” I take a deep breath and hold back the tears. Damn hormones!

  “No need to thank me, Annabella. My employees and their happiness and well-being are as important to me as the ones of my friends and family. How about we have some hot chocolate and a red velvet Donut before people start coming in. I saw you eyeing the tray.” She grins and hands me a beautiful pastel teal apron with lavender stitching and the name embroidered in the same lavender stitching. I’m officially part of ‘Josie’s Bakery’, and I couldn’t be more excited.

  “I thought I’d have to sneak one off during my break.” I giggle and walk out of the room with her just as Gail walks through the main door of the bakery.

  “Good morning! Beautiful day for baked goods, isn’t it?” Gail says in a chirpy voice sounding as excited as I am about working here.

  “Couldn’t agree more with you.” I smile and walk to the coffee machine to try to at least make one before the customers come in. I don’t want Gail to have to do all of the coffees and me just standing there cashing the money.

  “Careful with the foam maker, it has a mind of its own.” Gail chuckles as she disappears and reappears quickly out of the employee room.

  “Thanks for the warning!” I stick my tongue out as I focus on the task ahead, making coffee and avoid foam making explosion. The coffee is brewing and dripping into the cup I placed on the machine as I try my hand at the foam maker. “Steady.” I scrunch my face up as I turn on the pressure handle, hoping I’m not going to cover the walls and myself in milk.

  “Seems like it likes you.” Gail chuckles as she walks behind me and takes care of

  plating the donuts.

  “Don’t speak too soon, there’s still time to mess up.” I wait a few more seconds and sigh in relief when I see the foam build up and nothing exploding.

  “Told ya!”

  “Anna one, foam maker nil.” I grin, proud of myself, and pour the foam into the cup of coffee for Josie. She’s the only one drinking coffee out of the three of us in the morning.

  “Impressive,” Josie says bringing out a new batch of donuts. She puts them in the display, and we bring the coffee and donuts to a round table and sit down.

  “Thank you.” A sense of happiness and belonging fills me, I haven’t felt this way in such a long time, it’s refreshing and overwhelming.

  “How far along are you, if you don’t mind me asking?” Gail asks before taking a bite out of her donut.

  “Twenty-five weeks.” I smile, rubbing the bump.

  “That’s awesome! Is it a boy or a girl, or you don’t know yet?” Gail sounds legit super excited about this.

  “It’s going to be a boy, I already picked out the name.” I beam.

  “What is it going to be?” Josie asks me.

  “Elijah.”

  “Beautiful name,” they both say at the same time.

  We fall into light chit chat about anything and everything, getting to know each other a little bit more before customers start coming in.

  The morning rush is busier than I thought. Not a lot of people are taking seats. They all take their coffee and baked goods to go. Josie is taking care of the register as Gail and I make countless liters of coffee and hot chocolate. This isn’t like at your typical chain coffee house. We only have a few types of coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and a limited array of baked goods that varies depending on what Josie feels like baking that day. The only thing that is always available are the red velvet donuts. They are her signature treats, and I know why now. One bite into one of them and I was hooked for life. This is enough to make me stay in New Orleans forever. I legit would go into withdrawals without one every single day.

  The stock of donuts and cupcakes quickly goes down, and Josie goes back into the kitchen to make another batch, leaving Gail and me to finish the morning rush. It slowly quietens down, and more people start to occupy the tables in the seated area.

  Even though the crowd slowed, we still have quite a few people coming in through the day. I hadn’t realized how popular this place was. Some people from New York were on a trip through the country and stopped here because they heard all about Josie’s famous donuts. I was blown away by that fact alone.

  The rest of the day went by with only one foam maker incident, and it wasn’t anyone’s fault. It really has a mind of its own and decided to produce steam when nobody turned the handle. Good thing it wasn’t in a pot of milk or it could have been a disas
ter.

  Gail suggested we go out for dinner that night to celebrate my new job, and she felt like going out for some food but didn’t feel like going alone. Who am I to say no to the promise of amazing steak and veggies. I haven’t had a proper meal that didn’t consist of fried food in quite some time. Even though I tried to stay away from having burgers and fries twice a day for the past six months, it’s hard when that’s pretty much the only food they serve.

  So here we are, at what seems to be a popular steak house, waiting to be seated. I’m excited and nervous about tonight. I haven’t had a night out with a friend in ages, and I don’t know much about Gail. It’s not like we are on friends level already even if she’s lovely. I have avoided being social since I left home. Maybe an impromptu dinner will be the perfect ice breaker and a good way to get to know each other outside of work. My nerves are still very much there and making me stress out. Any other time, I’d have upped and left right away when someone tried to get to know me. I don’t know why it’s different here, or maybe I’m changing and want to settle down.

  “Earth to Anna, do you copy?” Gail laughs waving a hand in front of my face.

  “Sorry, got lost in my own world.” I smile apologetically at her.

  “You okay? We can go somewhere else if you want. Are you vegan?” she asks, horrified.

  “Calm down. I’m alright, I’m not vegan. I love a good steak, and I’m good with eating here. It’s just so new to me to actually socialize,” I reassure her, or try to.

  “Phew, thank God. You had me scared for a minute.”

  “Would it have mattered?”

  “Besides the fact that they only serve meat here, nope. I doubt you’d have been happy with just sides, though, and I’m pretty sure they are cooked with butter as well.” She frowns and waves at the waiter who is seating people. “We have a pregnant lady here.”

  “What are you doing, we can wait,” I whisper loudly at her.

  “What? You’re pregnant, and I don’t want you to go into labor early or pass out or something. It’s in your best interest. And my feet are killing me,” she whispers so only I can hear.

  “Right this way, ladies.” The waiter motions for us to follow him, and we do. We pass the long line of people, and I don’t look at any of them, embarrassed that we are skipping the line.

  “Come on, it’s not so bad. It’s not like you’re faking this little one.” She gently pats my tummy, and Elijah kicks once. “He loves me already!”

  “I think he agrees with you for needing to sit down.” I blow out a breath as we sit down, and my back and feet instantly start to throb. You know that annoying throbbing you get when you’ve been on your feet all day and finally get to relax. It’s a pain for the first few minutes and then it’s heaven.

  “I’m always right. I’ll take a Dr. Pepper to start. What do you fancy?” Gail asks me flipping through the menu.

  “I’ll have apple juice please.” I smile at the waiter and look at the menu when I feel eyes on me. I look up to see Gail looking at me with her eyes wide open. “What?”

  “Apple juice with steak?” she asks as if it’s a sin.

  “Yeah, I’m not fond of soda.” I shrug.

  “You’re a weirdo.” She shakes her head and goes back to her menu.

  “How so?”

  “Because you don’t like soda!”

  “My aunt didn’t drink any and never had any around the house, so I never really had any. When we were going out it was juice or water.” I shrug.

  “As I said, weirdo.” She sniggers and closes her menu as I’m still studying mine.

  “You’ll get used to my weirdness.” I smile at the menu.

  “Already did, I adopted you as a friend, there’s no getting rid of me now.” I look up and see her leaning back in her seat, smirking at me.

  “I’m in trouble, aren’t I?”

  “Yep, but the good kind, don’t worry.” She chuckles, and I’m not sure if I should be relieved of scared.

  “I surely hope so!” The waiter comes over with our drinks and sets the glasses in front of us.

  “Have you made your choice already?” he asks, smiling at Gail.

  “Yes, I’ll have an eight-ounce steak platter and a side of mac and cheese, please.”

  “How would you like your steak cooked?”

  “Medium, please.”

  “What about you, miss?” he asks smiling at me.

  “I’ll have the same as her.” I take a sip of my apple juice, enjoying the cold drink going down my throat.

  “Very well, if you need anything else don’t hesitate to flag me down.” He winks at Gail and walks away.

  “Do you know him?” I ask her, leaning forward.

  “No, but I wish I did, have you seen his ass?” She makes grabbing hands in the air as if she was squeezing his ass, making me snort.

  “You’re something.”

  “I’m awesome!”

  “You’re a bit awesome, yes.”

  “Just a bit? You wound me, Anna.” She places her hand over her heart, bowing her head as if I really hurt her.

  “Big baby.”

  We fall into a comfortable conversation, talking about what we like and dislike; where we’re from and all the stuff you usually talk about on a first date or upon meeting someone. For once, it doesn’t feel weird, and I still don’t feel like running away, which is a step in the right direction for me. That is until she asks that one question that makes me drop my fork as it’s mid-way to my mouth loaded with deliciously creamy and cheesy mac and cheese.

  “It might be too forward of me, but I noticed that on your application that you put the address of a hotel. Do you not have a place to live?” That innocent comment just shatters my world. I don’t want people to know about me. I feel like tonight was a big mistake, and I should have never accepted her invitation.

  “Uh…”

  “Hey, I was just asking because I’m looking for a roommate. You seem nice, and I’m sure you could do with a real place to live and not a hotel room. It would be cheaper for the both of us, and it’s a lot closer to work than your hotel. No judgment from me, just a genuine offer.”

  “You don’t know me. I could be a serial killer,” I whisper.

  “Puhlease. You wouldn’t hurt a bee if it attacked you! I’m a good judge of character. Besides, Josie checks who she hires before actually hiring them. So I know you’re safe.” She shrugs, leaving me to wonder what Josie found out about me.

  “Can I think about it?”

  “Of course, don’t be silly. I was just offering. No offense if you don’t want to live with me.” She smiles and takes a bite of her steak.

  All through the rest of dinner, the debate between accepting and refusing her offer is going on in my head. On one hand, it would be a lot easier to live with someone, and if it’s closer to work it’s even better. On the other hand, I don’t know much about her. She seems like a nice girl, and if what she said about Josie checking before hiring, then it means she’s safe, too. I’m driving myself crazy with this decision.

  “You know, if you say yes to living with me, you’d even have a room for the baby. My mom still has a shit load of stuff that me and my brother used like cribs and all of that. That’s something to consider,” she says with a cocky smile, knowing she’s got me there.

  “You’re really making it hard for me to say no, now.”

  “I know. I have so many tricks up my sleeve.” She waggles her eyebrows, and her eyes divert just over my shoulder. I turn around and see our waiter approaching.

  “Ask him on a date, and I will.” I giggle, messing with her.

  “Okay.” She rubs her hands as if she’s getting herself ready.

  “How was your evening, ladies?” he asks, placing the little tray with the bill, a couple of chocolate truffles, and a business card of the restaurant.

  “It was really good, thank you.” I wonder if Gail is going to follow suit and ask him on a date.

  “Amazing n
ight, but you know what would be even better?” she asks with a coy smile, she’s anything but shy. Well played.

  “What is that?” he asks, checking her out.

  “If we went on a date, you and me.”

  “I have to agree with you on that one. Are you free on Friday night?”

  “That I am.” She smirks and taps my foot with hers under the table. She’s got me, but I would have said yes anyway. Not because I’m promised free stuff for the baby, but because I could use the support. If her and her mom are close, maybe that means I could ask someone about how delivering a baby goes and tips for after. I’m still clueless and a wreck thinking about the future.

  “My number is on the back of the business card. Text me or call me later tonight or tomorrow, we’ll set up a time and discuss where we’ll go,” he says quickly looking up at who I’m assuming is his boss.

  “Will do!” she half shouts, getting us the attention of the tables around ours. “You know what that means.” She smirks at me.

  “Technically, he asked you out for Friday night, not the other way around.” I match her smirk and hers falters.

  “Damnit.” She pouts like a child and I have to laugh. She’s really awesome and manages to make me smile when part of me just wants to up and leave.

  “I’m messing with you.”

  I put the money for my food on the tray, but Gail shoves the money back toward me. “My treat,” she says sternly, and places cash on the tray and takes the card with our waiter’s number. I feel slightly embarrassed. I can afford to pay for my own food. I don’t want her to think that I can’t.

  “So, you’ll be my roommate?” she asks gleefully.

  “Yes, I don’t know if it’s a good idea or not because we don’t know much about each other. I can pay for my ow-”

  “Nonsense, I invited you. Besides the fact that you’re pregnant and I’m not, we are like the same person. You need to make friends and meet new people, build a circle of friends. I don’t know your story yet, but I’m sure you have a good reason for being seventeen and in New Orleans when you are from Seattle. It also means free babysitting when Elijah will be born. Josie will put us on different shifts so no need to pay someone, and my mom will just love to watch another baby.” She chuckles clapping her hands.