Queen of my Heart

23

WORKING WAS THE BEST THING.

That was an exaggeration, but my new job kept my mind off the thoughts I didn't want to think about (mainly those with connection to a certain hazel-eyed arse).

“Juliet!” I looked up from the table I was cleaning. Sander, my boss, was waving me over from the kitchen.

Quickly wrapping up, I wiped my hands on my black apron and walked over to him.

“Yes, sir?” I said, meeting his warm gaze.

His smile was blinding. “Let's have a drink tonight.”

I blinked, taken aback. “I'm sorry? Why?”

“You've been here for, what, four days?”

“Three.”

“Right.” He rubbed his hands together, slightly bouncing on his heels like an excited kid. “And our sales went up so drastically since you came, and I was thinking of giving you an incentive.”

My mind involuntary drifted to a particular blond back home. “I don't think I can, sir.”

He didn't seem offended by my unsubtle rejection. “Oh, come on. Don't be a party pooper. We're just going to have a drink, I promise.”

I looked down at my shoes, seriously contemplating his offer. It wasn't like I didn't want to be with Bryan tonight, but turning down your boss might not exactly be the best move either.

But still . . . Bryan.

“Unless you suddenly had a boyfriend?” Sander said, his tone reflecting challenge. Bloody hell. I forgot I told him during the interview that I was single.

Because you are, stupid.

Right. I met his glittering eyes and squared my shoulders. It was now or never. “I'm single,” I said. “And yeah, I'd like to take you up on that offer.”

His grin could light up the town. “It's a da—”

“Bloody boss, don't say date.”

A laugh escaped his lips as he raised his arms up in surrender. “All right, Juliet. I knew you would say that.”

A smile crept up my lips in spite of me. “Yeah, right.”

He suddenly sobered up, looking at something behind me, his cheeks pink. “Now go attend Table 7.”

I followed his line of sight and saw Shiela, a part-time waitress, watching us keenly. Sander has a huge crush on her, as far as I can tell.

It was my turn to laugh.

• • •

“You never told me you were a tour manager before,” Sander said after he sipped on his coffee.

I leaned back in my chair, shrugging my shoulders. “You didn't ask.”

“Touché.” He grinned, glancing around us. “What do you think of the coffee?”

I looked down at my cup, then back to him. A smile crept in my face. “Well, you're the best barista, but you should've just told me we won't leave in the first place.”

He laughed, a deep and rich sound. He seemed completely relaxed with two buttons of his shirt left open, and his apron slung over his chair. The shop has been closed for an hour now, and we were the only ones here.

He shot me a wink. “Had your hopes up there for a minute, huh?”

I scoffed, ignoring the heat in my face. “You wish.”

However, I really did keep my hopes up. I was imagining a fancy restaurant, or an ear-splitting club. Anything but this place. Although now that I thought about it, staying here in the shop was the best idea.

This was common ground for the both of us, and I could always walk away if he tried anything.

His fingers were steepled on the table as he fixed me with his penetrating gaze. “I really like you, Juliet,” he said casually, blinking innocently. Like he was talking about the weather, or the sales we made.

I didn't doubt my face now resembled a ripe tomato. “Uh, boss—I mean, Sander—I don't . . . I don't think—”

His laughter filled the atmosphere. I sat there across from him, totally dumbfounded and embarrassed.

“Did I say something wrong?” I asked, watching him catch his breath.

He shook his head, the corner of his eyes crinkling. “No, not at all, dear.” His hand touched mine. I didn't move an inch. “Look, I mean what I said. I like you, but not in that way you're thinking.”

I blushed a little bit more, if that were possible. “Yes, of course,” I squeaked out, not meeting his eyes.

“Oh, look at little Juliet.” He smirked. “Reddening like a rose and trying very hard to look unaffected.”

“Shut up.”

“Here.” He gently tugged at my chin, making me look at him. His expression was serious, but his eyes were shining with humor. “Don't feel awkward with me, all right? I just feel this—this weird urge to protect you like a brother. Don't mind me.”

“I look like a damsel in distress to you, huh?”

He let go of me, crossing his arms behind his head. “Not at all, dear. When I met you, you have this determined look in your eyes. You looked like you were going to war instead of a job interview.” A soft smile stretched across his features, his eyes glossing over just a bit. “You just remind me of someone.”

“Your sister?” I asked tentatively.

“Yeah.” He blinked, and he was focused on me again. “She's in America with my parents, and I guess I just really miss her.”

“You guys seem close.”

He nodded. “We are. We're just two years apart, like you and I, and we did all kinds of things together.” A chuckle escaped him. “I still remember when I taught her how to make a proper cup of coffee.”

I smiled. “Let me guess—it was a disaster?”

“Yes, it was!” Exhaling, he uncrossed his arms and set them on the table. “You're just like her.”

Bet she didn't experience to be effed up by Shane Filan though.

I kept my smile intact. “Hope I don't give you much as much headache though.”

“I know you won't. You're a very hardworking person.”

Silence followed his words, and simultaneously picked up our cups and gulped his 'masterpiece'.

There was something about Sander that I felt so comfortable with. Granted, we just practically met each other, but I already felt like I've known him for years.

“Thank you,” I said, grinning up at him. “My . . . past has been full of unnecessary drama and this, now, I like this a lot. I like how I'm meeting people such as yourself. Thank you for trying to get to know me. You didn't have to do this.”

He held his arms up in mock surrender, his face alight with humor. “Hey, I'm just a guy.”

“Maybe,” I said. “But now you're the brother I've never had.”

“And you're the sister I've left behind.”

“And I'm the boyfriend of the girl you're flirting with,” a voice I knew so well said from behind me.

It was Bryan, and neither of us expected his furious entrance.

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I smell DRAMA! What do you think of the chapter, folks? Liking Sander yet? You better lol.

More updates to come! Stay tuned!

~G