Page 11 of Best Laid Plans

His careless words spark a hot fury in my veins. This place wouldn’t be a dump if it weren’t for him and his apathetic, absent ownership. The only thing that jackass does is scrawl his name across our paychecks.

“Now then, let me introduce y’all to the new owner, Alden Warner.”

At the sound of his name, I gasp, sucking air down the wrong pipe, causing me to choke so hard that I’m sure it looks like I’m sobbing. Hell, maybe I am. I’m certain my face is beet red, and I sound like a barking baby seal. My vision is blurred by my salty tears, but I canfeeleveryone looking at me. I cover my face with my hands in a paltry attempt to hide.

Right when I think my humiliation couldn’t possibly get any worse, the universe decides to prove me wrong.

“Here, take a sip.” Four words. That’s it, and even though his voice is deeper—rougher—I’d know it anywhere. Alden Warner is right in front of me. Talking to me. Offering me a drink. Except I’m pretty sure he’s the only thing that can quench my thirst. And the kicker—he probably doesn’t even know who he’s talking to. I’m just some nameless waitress he inherited when he bought the café.

Ignoring him, I continue choking and wheezing into my palms. There’s no way in hell I can face him right now.

Undeterred, Alden pushes the cool glass against my knuckles. “Seriously, take a sip. Please.”

There’s something about the way he says ‘please.’ His voice dropped deeper and sounded so imploring, like his life depended on me drinking that water. Then again, he probably didn’t want a waitress to die before the ink on the deed was even dry.

Slowly, I pull my hands from my face and take the glass from him. Bringing it to my lips, I take one small sip. And then another. Feeling brave, I sneak a peek up at him, but he’s like the sun and looking at him dead-on hurts. So, I quickly revert back to staring at my lap. He probably doesn’t even recognize me.

Except, judging by the, “No way,” he murmurs, I know he did. He runs his index and middle finger down my jaw and under my chin, using them to tilt my face up toward him. “You work here?”

My words fail me, so I settle on a nod. A stiff, impersonal, awkward as hell nod.

“Holy shit, Small Fry! Get your ass up and give me a hug!”

I open my mouth to reply, but with catlike reflexes, Alden yanks me up from my chair and into his arms. Deciding to make the best of this unexpected but oh-so-welcome physical contact, I breathe him in. He stills smells the same—like spicy citrus and pure, unfiltered sex appeal. It’s fucking deadly.

He holds me tight to his body—so close I can feel the lean muscles beneath his shirt. So close I might lose my mind and never let go if don’t move away from him, pronto.

Finally, yet all too soon, Alden steps away from me taking his blessed body heat with him.

“Jesus, girl, it’s been too long. How the hell are you?” he asks, sounding genuinely happy to see me.

However, instead of responding with a polite and rational reply like a normal fucking adult, my inner-teenager answers for me, sounding petulant and snotty. “Just dandy. How’s Mia, yourfiancée?” Even after all these years her name still tastes like poison

9

Alden

For a few seconds,the entire café is silent as if they’re waiting with bated breath for my answer. I smirk at her, even though I know it’s the wrong thing to do. I up the ante with a quirked brow, and I swear she’s ready to spit fire.

“You think she’d appreciate you having me in your arms?”

“Honestly, I don’t think she’d care one way or another.” I let my words settle and then drop the hammer. “Seeing as we’re not together any longer.”

At that Natalie sputters, but she still hasn’t pulled away.Interesting.“Wha…you’re not? Since when? Nate didn’t…”

“Nate didn’t what? You been keepin’ tabs on me, Small Fry?”

She rears back, trying to look angry. Hard thing for her to do, though, when we’re so close she has to crane her neck to make eye contact. “Absolutely not. I…just…”

“It’s all good, girl. I’ve kept tabs on you. Hear you got a little one?” The mention of her kid has her pushing away from me as if I’m fucking Michael Myers.

“Oh, uh…um…yup. N-Nate told you about her?”

It still blows my mind that she has a daughter. I’m not sure the world can handle two of her. She inhales sharply, and her cheeks redden. “What did he say? H-have you s-seen her?”

Weird questions, but okay.“Let’s see, he says she is bossy and smart and cute as hell. Which, from the handful of pics he has sent over the years, I’d have to agree.”

Sweat beads along her hairline. “Oh, okay. Good. Great.” Her words are choppy, and she’s acting a little psycho.

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