Pieces of Me Read Online Free PDF Page A

already know each other?” Mason asks as he gestures between Holden and myself.
              “No,” I reply quickly at the same time Holden says, “Yeah.”
              Mason just looks confused.
              “Sorry, I mean, yes, we sorta know each other. We're, um, acquaintances I guess,” I try to explain.
              Holden chuckles quietly, obviously amused by my stammering even though I notice that he didn't offer a better explanation.
              “Alright then, well, Holden, can you handle the front while I interview Aria?”
              So he isn’t really following me, he actually works here. That is good to know. Maybe he isn’t a creepy stalker after all.
              Holden goes around the other side of the counter, smiling at me as he pulls on a forest green apron with The Java Bean logo in white funky lettering on the front.
              Mason motions for me to follow him over to a small table toward the back so we'd be out of the way of any incoming customers. I'm not sure how busy this place would be at this time of day though, since it's the middle of the afternoon. Only serious coffee-drinkers like myself can drink this stuff all day long.
              The two navy blue striped chairs he guides me toward look cozy and inviting with vintage looking throw pillows that didn't technically match, but still worked in an eclectic sort of way.  There are no cold, hard metal chairs typically found in most chain coffee shops, only oversized couches and plush arm chairs. I sit down and try to make myself as comfortable as possible as Mason sits down in a gold and cream chair across from me.
              “Okay,” he starts. “I don't really know what I'm doing here. Suzi left me in charge while she took off to New Orleans for the week, so basically I guess all I really need to know is if you have any experience and what hours you are available.”
              “Oh, well, I have no experience and I want as many hours as I can fit in between my classes,” I answer honestly.
              “Are you a student here?”
              “Yes, this is my first semester.”
              “What are you majoring in?”
              “I'm currently undecided so I'm just taking my core classes right now.”
              “That's a good idea. I've changed my major so many times I think I'll be thirty before I finally graduate,” he scoffs in a self-deprecating way. “When can you start?”
              “That's it?”
              “Yeah, I mean, you seem like a nice girl and we're really desperate.”
              I look around at the empty shop and I'm sure he knows what I am thinking because he's quick to add, “This is our down time. This place is crazy packed during the morning and in the evenings—especially during finals week.”
              “Can I start tonight?”
              “Really?” Mason seems surprised by my eagerness. Of course I wasn't planning on telling him how desperate I am for anything to keep me busy.
              “Yeah, I mean, if that's okay?”
              “Of course, Holden can start training you now.” He smiles so I smile back, thankful that I won't be spending my evening drowning in memories.
              “Holden, grab a couple of menus and show Aria around would ya? I have some work in the back I need to do.” Holden nodded and Mason headed back to where I assume the office was.
              He turns to me and asks, “Are you ready?”
              “Uh, yeah, I mean, yes.”
              “Good, because you've got a lot of work to do,” he says as he hands