James sees the "Help Wanted" sign in a deli near his apartment and stops in on a whim. It's summer, classes are out, and none of his friends will see him wearing an apron while he makes a few bucks.<br><br>Then he meets Deon and falls hard for the sexy night cook. Too bad the guy has a girlfriend, Bree, whose call dashes any hope James might have of a summer romance.<br><br>But if she's Deon's girl, why does their coworker Joe seem bent on hooking James up with him?

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“She’s fine,”he says,picking at the chipped counter top,his fingers just inches from mine.“She’s just a little shook up.”


I nod,yes,good.I don’t know her and already I hate her—I want something she has,I want him.I want him to speak of mein such an intimate and easy way.


Looking at me closely,he adds,“I have to pick her up after work tonight.This carting her around is getting old quick.”


I laugh.“I can imagine.”God,I’m Mr.Witty tonight,ain’t I?But my mindisn’t working right now—his closeness sharp is like the knife on the counter between us,cutting through my consciousness until my thoughts are shredded like the lettuce we put on the sandwiches,and I can’t think of anything else to say.I want to ask if she’s his girl,I want to know if there’s a chance for me,even the slightestone would be enough,but I’m toodamn cowardly to open my mouth and find out.


Chapter 5