Page 19 of Falling for the Wrong Guy

“Did you?” Ella asked excitedly from her stool at the counter.

Aria ignored her. “So, you see, I don’t need a cook because I have one. Ing—Ingrid will be starting soon.”

I nodded. “Too bad. I make an omelet that will melt in your mouth, and my pancakes are so light they practically float off the plate.”

“Then I’m sure you can find a cook job somewhere else. I’ll get your fries.” She hurried off and shot her sister another glare as she swept past.

Linda, the other server, handed me the fries with a flirty smile. “Aria says they’re on the house. That was pretty darn heroic, what you did.”

“Yeah, I’m a regular superhero. Tell her thanks for the fries.”

ChapterFourteen

Aria

Istepped out of the shower into the fragrant cloud of steam I’d created with my overlong, extra-hot shower. I rubbed a clear spot in the mirror with my towel. “You had every right to be grumpy,” I told the face staring back at me. The hot shower hadn’t washed away the dark circles under my eyes. It had been a long work shift, and the last thing I’d needed were two awful customers followed by Dex. Who did he think he was—my protector? “I’ve been taking care of myself just fine, thank you very much.” My words pushed away the steam that had been circling my face.

I’d been having a nonstop conversation with myself about the whole dramatic lunch hour. Of course, when something significant happens, you go over all the details and ask yourself what you could have done differently. I could have told the men that they weren’t welcome. It was within my right as a business owner. Had Dex stopped in because he saw the two men sitting inside? He obviously knew them, which confirmed my opinion about Dex being a man who attracted trouble. And now his arrival had brought unsavory strangers to town. And then he had the nerve to ask if I’d hire him as my cook. A short, dry laugh shot from my mouth as I combed my wet hair. “As if.”

I could only imagine him standing in my tiny kitchen, all six-foot-plus of him, sleeves rolled up, his thick forearms bulging as he flipped pancakes on the griddle. I allowed myself to visualize that for a second before shaking it from my mind.

My phone rang in the bedroom. I’d been waiting to hear that Ava got home safely. It was Kellan. “Hey.” I sat on the edge of the bed and tucked my phone against my shoulder, so I could put lotion on my legs.

“Hey, babe, what are you up to?”

“I’m getting ready to head to the cottage to have dinner with my sisters.”

A disappointed sigh came through the phone. “I thought we could order pizza and watch a movie.”

“Tonight? You usually have phone conferences on Tuesday.”

“I cancelled them so I could hang out with my favorite girl. I felt bad about lunch yesterday. It didn’t go the way I pictured at all. I blame Declan.”

He was still trying to blame the mostly unpleasant lunch on his brother, but the truth was the two of us just weren’t in sync yesterday. It was a memorable date, but not in a good way.

“Did you wear the earrings today?”

“I had an early start and a long workday. I rarely wear jewelry to the café, especially when I’m cooking.”

I could feel his disappointment through the phone. Some men were good at hiding their feelings. Not Kellan. “What about tonight?” His tone was colder.

“I’m going to the cottage. I told you—Ava is coming home tonight. I haven’t seen her in three months.”

“So, is she only going to be home tonight, or will you be able to see her tomorrow?”

I huffed loudly. “Kellan, I already made plans. You’re always busy on Tuesday. I don’t think it’s fair for you to?—”

“No, no, you’re right. I’m sorry, baby. I had a long day.”

“Me too,” I reminded him.

“Look, why don’t you come to my place tomorrow after you finish at the café? I’ll cook you some dinner, and you can just sit on the couch with your feet up and let me wait on you.”

Kellan was also a master at closing a deal that was about to go sour. “I can’t turn down an offer like that. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait to see you,” he said and hung up.

Isla sent a text just as I lowered my phone. “Ava’s here, and we’re ready to eat.”

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