Queen of my Heart

26

BEING SINGLE WAS FUN.

As I watched Sander's face gradually fill with redness, I sent a mental 'thanks' up above for my loveless situation.

We were standing behind the counter, spying on Shiela being fancied by a rather handsome lad. Shiela's face brightened with something similar to amusement and flattery while Sander's was close to bursting.

Ah, the pain of love.

“You're just letting a random lad hit on your girl?” I said, trying not to snicker.

He huffed, looking away from them. “She's not my girl.”

A grin was splitting my face in half. “She could be, if you want.”

He glared at me. “Just solve your own love problems, why don't you?”

I shrugged, handing a customer their change. “Have a good day,” I told her before turning back to Sander. “So you do admit you have a love problem,” I jested, purposely avoiding the topic of my problems. After all, I was helping him solve his dilemma to forget mine.

“All right, what's the bloody plan?” he suddenly asked, frustration filling his eyes.

My heart thawed a bit. I pitied the guy, really. I realized now that not every guy was a Bryan McFadden who spoke their mind to the people he held dear. Not every guy was a Shane Filan who will do anything to get what he wanted.

I was lucky I got involved with guys who didn't shy away from their feelings.

I felt a soft smile graze my lips. “We make her jealous.”

• • •

I was cleaning the last table when Sander came up to me. “Hey, Stone, you have anything coming up after this?”

Wiping my hands down my apron, I faced him and almost fainted at the sight. He had changed from his usual white short-sleeved uniform into a light blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair lacked its normal mess, looking all fixed up and effortless at the same time.

He was gorgeous.

“Uh . . . N-no,” I involuntarily stammered as I eyed him up and down. Bloody hell, he looked delicious. I didn't know how Shiela managed to ignore him after all these years. “Why?”

He leaned his hands on the table I was cleaning a while ago. He smirked, looking all confident and manly. “Let's go out.”

From my peripheral vision, I saw Shiela surreptitiously eavesdropping from behind the counter. I smiled at Sander. “Don't you look handsome.” I nodded at his outfit. “I don't have anything decent enough to match your attire though.”

This time a genuine smile grazed his lips as he walked around the table and stopped behind me. He reached down and untied my apron. His breath tickled my neck as he spoke again. “You look beautiful, don't worry.”

I turned around and met his nervous gaze. “I have spare clothes in the lockers. Wait for me to change?”

He nodded, grinning. “It's a date then.”

• • •

“You did great,” I said as we walked down the street minutes later.

Sander linked his hand with mine, squeezing gently. “Thank you.”

I searched his face for any hint of the previous nervousness, only to find none. “You seem at ease.”

He shrugged. “I'm no longer with Shiela in the same room and I'm walking with you under the stars. How could I not be relaxed?” He threw me a boyish grin.

I chuckled. Sometimes I just wanted to whack him in the head. He's becoming more and more like the big brother I've always wanted.

His expression suddenly transformed into that of worry. “Do you think it worked though?”

It was my turn to shrug. “If she asks you about it tomorrow, it's bothering her a lot.

“And if she doesn't?”

“Then we'll need to try harder.”

He sighed. “I'm sorry for this, Juliet. I don't mean to use you for my convenience.”

Waving a hand dismissively, I said, “Nonsense. This was my idea after all. Besides, I suppose I do enjoy seeing you all dressed up.”

He nudged me by the shoulder. “I look great, huh?”

I laughed. “You do.”

“What do you want to eat?”

I furrowed my eyebrows. “You don't have to take me on an actual date, Sander.”

“It's the least I could do for all the help you've given me.”

I shrugged, grinning. “I did it because I wanted to, but I won't shun a good dinner.”

He shook his head as a smile lighted up his features. “You're such a glutton.”

“Only with you, Sander. Only with you.”