My Widowed Mate

Cup of Coffee

Trevor's POV

As I stalked out of the store, I noticed the Rogue Jessie at the register. I spoke softly enough that she could hear me with our hearing blessed to us by The Goddess.

"Trixie is my mate. Please help me." I said as I exited the store. I didn't look back for her reaction. I needed to get away from there. Duke was becoming upset that she rejected our advances, and I had to remind him it was a rejection. Just rejected to have a cup of coffee with us.

I headed to the coffee shop after a lap around the mall. I could still smell the coffee on the bottom of my shoes, reminding me I made her drop her coffee. She may not want to drink it with me, but I could at least replace it for her.

From the nutty sweet smell, I'm guessing it was hazelnut syrup with cream and a little bit of sugar added in. I got her a large, hoping she would appreciate it, maybe talk to me longer the next time we spoke. I headed to drop it off with Jessie at her store.

Trixies POV

I was back in my office now working on the dress again. I tried not to think about my run-in with that man again, but it was hard not to. I was just glad he wasn't imaginary at all, considering Jessie stared right at him as he left. I wondered if she knew him at all.

Jessie's been here for a while now, and I still don't know much about her. She seemed to just show up one day to get a job. She never talks about her family or past life. She will bring up things about her friends, but that's it. Family members or even boyfriends have never stopped by to visit her on break. They could live in another state, or she probably left them for her own reasons. I shook my head, telling myself to mind my business. Her family wasn't my business.

A soft knock on the office door followed by it opening made me twirl around and look. Jessie was there with an awkward smile on her face and a large coffee in her hand. I gasped, smiling at her, standing up to take it from her.

"You're the best, Jessie," I said, taking a sip. Just how I liked it made me feel warm inside.

Jessie's shook her head. "It wasn't me. It was that hunky guy from earlier." She said watching me

I stopped drinking it and slowly moved the coffee away from me, setting the coffee down as if it was poisoned. How did he know how I liked my coffee? Jessie awkwardly folded her hand in front front of her and seemed very nervous. She's never nervous. Something was bothering her.

"Maybe you could give him a chance. It's been a few months since Brads..." Jessie spoke but trailed off once I whipped my head to glare at her. I was just sitting in here telling myself her life was none of my business, now she's in mine. She must've told that man how I like my coffee.

"It's not any of your business what's going on in my life, nor do you have the place to suggest when I can start dating again." I warned her as I glared at her she looked away embarrassed, and she should be.

I grabbed the coffee of my desk and handed it back to her. "And give this back to your little friend." I told her before turning my back to her. Once my back was turned, I heard a small growl come her, then her running out the door.

I was heated after my argument with Jessie. She had no right to put her nose in my marriage. Even if I thought Brad was dead, I wouldn't be ready right now. But Brad was out there still, I just know it. I'll be right here waiting for him when he comes home.

I ended up leaving later than everyone else did that night. I wanted to indulge myself in work to distract my busy mind. I stayed working on the dress and managed to finish it. I hoped the bride would be pleased, I'll give her a call tomorrow to let her know. Just prayed her weight stayed the same this time.

The mall was now closing, so I had to leave now. Left my store wishing good night to the mall security before heading down to my car. The parking garage was nearly empty, making my gripping my keychain pepper spray. That weird feeling was back as I got closer to my car.

As I approached my car, I saw a figure standing nearby. Slowing down my pace, I kept my pepper spray out and ready. As I got closer, I realized it was Paul and exhaled a sigh of relief. I can handle him... mostly.

"Paul? What are you doing here?" I asked him from a few feet away, keeping my distance.

"I need you to listen to me. You're not safe." He said, taking a step closer

I rolled my eyes, not this again. I thought I was the one going crazy. I was going to tell him exactly what I thought until I noticed he was currently holding a gun. I backed away from him and suddenly, very afraid for my own life.

"I won't hurt you, I promised to keep you safe." He said, taking a few steps forward. My heart was pounding against my chest as I kept stepping farther away from him.

"Paul.. put the gun away." I said, trying to reason with him. He shook his head at me.

"You need to come with me it's the only way I can keep you safe." He said, looking around the parking garage.

Where the hell was security when you needed them?