New Beginnings

Chapter 8

Rebecca was busily working at the shop. Since it was Saturday morning, it was busier than throughout the week so Alex gave her a helping hand to give out orders. Cassandra was late and he wanted her to take care of her ankle.

Rebecca couldn't help but notice that they made a good team. He was quick on his feet and the customers seemed to love him already. She had even seen Mrs Brown send a wink her way, almost in a very suggestive manner which she chose to ignore behind a smile and flushed cheeks.

"Is that all sir, or would you like anything else?" Alex asked the little boy who was there with his mother. The boy giggled in response before he shook his head. The mother, who had her eyes stuck on him smiled and gave him a slight nod, appreciative of the fact that Alex had made her son feel important.

Alex returned to the counter where Rebecca handed him a cold glass of iced tea. "I never realised just how busy it can get here," he said as he took a sip from the drink.

"Saturdays tend to get quite busy," she admitted. "Thanks for your help Alex, I appreciate it a lot," she said.

"Don't mention it. If I can help, I will, especially considering I don't have work this morning," he replied, just as they both heard the jingle from the doorbells.

They looked up to see Daniel approaching them. He had a slight frown until his eyes landed on Alex and he relaxed.

"Ah so here you are," Daniel said as he seated himself on the stool near the counter. Alex and Rebecca both exchanged a look before turning to look back at him.

"What are you talking about?" Alex asked as he took a few more sips from his drink. Rebecca pushed forward a coffee in Daniel's direction.

"I'm talking about the fact that I came to your apartment this morning as usual but you weren't there and you wouldn't answer your damned phone. You had me worried you asshole," he said.

"I wasn't home because I slept with Becks and—" Alex stopped as he heard Daniel cough, loudly. Daniel managed to spit out some of the coffee on the counter while Rebecca felt her cheeks heat up rather quickly.

Alex's eyes widened too much to the point that it seemed comical. His face became red and his throat dry as he seemed to realise what he had just said.

"Wait...wait, I didn't mean it like that. I didn't mean we had sex!" he said, a little louder than Rebecca would have liked. She saw some of the customers, who knew her truly well look their way. She gulped as she hit Alex on the arm, jarring him.

"He slept over at my place, that's what he meant," Rebecca interceded. Daniel looked at the two of them, one eyebrow raised and his arms crossed across his wide chest.

"And why was he sleeping at your place hmm?" Daniel asked.

"Well, there goes the big, protective brother routine again," Rebecca commented, sighing. She pretended to hate it, but in truth, she loved this side of him.

Daniel didn't have siblings of his own, but Rebecca and Cassandra were like sisters to him, well, Rebecca was. Cassandra was a whole other story. Still, he took it as his responsibility to protect them at all costs and to tease them as big brothers would.

"Well, if you must know, I'm not some pervert. I just happened to be there when some teenage boy crashed into her with his bicycle and sent her toppling to the ground," Alex replied.

Daniel's smile instantly disappeared as he looked at Rebecca. Concern swam in his eyes, the teasing long gone. He reached to her and grabbed her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, which contrasted with his big body.