A Goddess’ Guide to Love and Sex

"Iced or hot?" rolls off my tongue even though I've already bypassed the paper cup in favor of the plastic. Marker cap between my teeth, I write the customer's name and order on the cup before setting it back on the counter and pushing it towards my coworker to make. "I can help who's next."

After what seemed like a never ending line my last customer finally stepped up to order. "What can I get ya?" I ask, not making eye contact as I reach for another plastic cup.

"I mean, I came in here for a chi tea, but I'll settle for your name." A smirk and an eye roll simultaneously make room for themselves on my features as I write down the order before setting it down for my coworker. Shifting my weight from one hip to the other I set my left hand on the counter and lean forward letting my eyes move over him for the first time. His tanned skin is the perfect contrast to his bright smile and light green eyes, He’s dressed simply in a white tee and khaki shorts. By all definitions, this man is as attractive as they come.

I let out a sigh, once more rolling my eyes. "Cleo." I shift my weight again and lift my hand off the counter to tap my name tag with the cap of the end of the marker.

"Like Cleopatra?" He leans on the counter towards me causing me to take a step back. "I've always been down for Egyptians." I feel my face fall at his words as he pulls out a ten dollar bill. I quickly grab it and finish his order out in the register.

"Too bad," my voice is flat as I hand him his change before turning around tossing my hair over my shoulder and quickly busying myself with work. "I'm Greek." There’s a soft chuckle from a customer a few tables away.

Twenty minutes later, I’m out from behind the counter to clear off some tables. Tossing plates and mugs into a bin to take back to the kitchen.

"He was cute." A woman reading Vogue Magazine says as I clear off the table next to her. "Can't believe you blew him off."

I shrug and grab her empty plate. "Not my type."

She leans in and smiles up at me “What is your type?” Her hand covering mine causes my breath to catch in my chest.

"I.. I don't know." My ears heat up as I direct my line of sight to the floor, trying to regain my composure. All I end up doing is checking her out. From her wide brimmed hat, to her cork heeled shoes, she is… gorgeous. I shake my head clear of the embarrassment growing in my stomach realizing she’s watching me look her over. "You... you wa-wanna refill?"

A smile grows wide on her lips as she lets out a soft chuckle, “I’d love one.” With that she goes back to her magazine, as I rush the tray back to the kitchen, trying to figure out what the hell just came over me.

***

I take a deep breath in as I pull the lever down on the dishwasher for the last load. Clearing my throat I turn around to lean against the sink trying to wipe the sweat off my brow only to have it replaced by the sticky Florida heat wafting through the open kitchen door. A failed dream of cool sea breeze making it this far inland.

Slowly I pull my apron over my head and toss it toward the laundry basket. “Have a good night, guys” I force a smile as I exhaustedly move past my coworker to the front of the shop floor.

An uneasy feeling grows in my stomach at the memory of the woman. I take a look at the table she was sitting at and notice a little balck book. Moving quickly and making sure none of my coworkers are looking, I snatch the book off the table and hurry out the cafe.

I don’t slow my pace until I’m locked safely inside my car. Allowing myself to take a deep breath before, carefully pulling the notebook from my lap and letting it fall open to an unsealed envelope. A gulp travels up my throat before I swallow it back down. Hands shaking, I have enough control over my fingers to open it. It’s thick and heavy with what has to be 20 grand in hundred dollar bills. “Oh… fuck me.” comes out with the breath I didn’t notice I was holding.

“Not the call I usually accept, but I’ll take it.” The voice is accompanied by a small pop from the backseat of my car. Jumping, I let out a yelp as I turn to see the woman from the cafe.

“Wha-… How did yo-… you left it on th-”

The woman starts waving away my gibberish as her figure starts to fade until it disappears entirely. I hear another slight pop in my left ear before “Honestly, Cleo” causing me to jump again, this time to face my passengers seat. “There’s no need to explain. The money is for you. Reinventing yourself can get expensive.”

A million questions run through my mind, the loudest being why but instead I ask “Who are you?”

She smirks again before tapping the notebook still in my lap with her perfectly manicured nail. “Read the book.” With that she snaps her fingers and begins fading away.

Blinking a few times I take a few deep breaths and run my hands through my hair, the book’s weight doing little to convince me this has all been real. Turning my attention back to it and flipping to the first page, I get caught off guard by the beautifully handwritten dedication.

For Cloe, a mortal worth claiming.

“What the fuck…” my voice comes out in a whisper, letting it fade into the noise of the parking lot as I gather the courage to turn to the next page.

The title, in the same perfect handwriting.

Exactly What You Didn’t Know You Needed: A Goddess’ Guide to Love and Sex

A sharp disbelieving laugh forces its way out of my mouth as I turn to the next page.

Chapter One: So You Think You’re too Busy to Be Anything but Picky