Operation: Endgame by Christi Snow Page A

senses. They were standing in line behind a group of college age girls who were all making eyes and giggling at the good-looking guy working the complicated coffee machine. He looked to be about Jake’s age and from the smoldering looks he kept giving the girls, he didn’t mind the fact they were at least ten years younger than him.
    Jake watched him as he worked the girls and made their coffee. The guy was fit. He had the look of someone who worked out a lot, although it might be something like martial arts because he moved with an innate gracefulness, especially considering the size of the guy as he worked in the cramped space. He had to be at least 6’0”. His olive skin tones and dark hair and eyes bespoke a Latin heritage, but Jake was having a hard time placing his barely there accent. The one thing he did know was this guy was a player and a flirt if the smile he continually flashed the coeds was any indication.
    Finally when all the girls had their coffees in hand, the guy turned to them to take their order, but before they had a chance to say anything, the man’s voice lowered an octave as he reached across to grasp Cassie’s hand. “Well, hello Professor. Are you craving the usual?” There was a glint in this man’s eye and a familiarity with Cassie that had Jake’s skin crawling.
    Cassie didn’t seem to think anything was amiss though as she said, “Ricky! What are you doing working on a Sunday?”
    He gave her a sly grin. “I switched shifts with Vicky so I could take Molly to the Carol of Lights Friday night.”
    “Oh, it was gorgeous wasn’t it? Did she like it?”
    “She loved it. Working during Sunday football was worth the smile on her face Friday night. It was definitely worth it.” The guy had been making a drink the whole time he and Cassie chatted, but Jake had never heard her order. “One Venti non-fat Latte for the beauty that made my day today.” He handed over the coffee to Cassie.
    Cassie smiled at him indulgently. Jake could not believe this guy got away with piling it on that thick. Seriously? Jake snorted. Cassie suddenly looked back at him like she had forgotten he was there. “Ricky, I’d like you to meet my friend Jake. We grew up together. He just needs a plain coffee.” Jake might have imagined it, but the guy he had been watching charm all the ladies in sight for the last ten minutes turned to him like he was a mangy dog who had just wandered in trailing mud behind him.
    Ice didn’t even begin to cover how quickly this guy’s friendliness disappeared. “Just plain coffee, huh? Well, not all guys can appreciate the finer things in life.” Ricky nodded his head towards Cassie and gave another smile, but it definitely didn’t reach his eyes. Jake wasn’t sure if the guy was offended about the coffee or the fact he was male. If he truly had to guess, he’d think it was more a matter of him being a male with Cassie. The guy was entirely too intimate and cozy with her. He wondered if she ever dated him.
    The more he hung out with Cassie, the more complicated her life seemed. Where the hell had all these guys come from and how many of them had she slept with over the years? The eight years since he had left to join the Air Force seemed to yawn out before him. Cassie had never really mentioned guys around him too much, but of course she had relationships somewhere in there, right? But why was it every single time he turned around, he was finding himself looking into the face of another guy who seemed to be in love with her? The churning in Jake’s gut started up again. At this rate, he was going to have an ulcer before the month was over.
    Cassie took his coffee from Ricky while Jake paid. He threw a dollar in the tip jar and with a nod towards Ricky, he headed over to the table where Cassie sat.
    “What’s the deal with Casanova? Did you two date or is it just he wants to date you?” Jake watched Ricky clean the machines while he talked to Cassie.
    Cassie looked at