Page 5 of Back Room Host

“Why would I?” He chuckled. “Do you?”

“Yeah.” I shrugged and grinned. “It hasn’t been an hour since we met at one.”

Luca laughed, warming my heart, and I was glad he had dropped the seriousness. The guy was totally cute. Even though I knew nothing would ever come of it, I could still enjoy a slight change of pace. And maybe my buddy Clé would finally give me a break if I told him I had met up with someone my age.

I took a sip and placed the glass back down when I noticed Luca scanning me with that intense gaze again. Since I wasn’t easily unsettled—given my clients constantly stared at me—I tilted my head and met his gaze. Perhaps that was his way of flirting.

When Luca realized what he was doing, he blinked his eyes as if he couldn’t believe he had been staring at me again. “Sorry.” He reached for his glass and took big gulps.

“What for?” I smiled.

“I didn’t mean to stare at you.”

The guy was a mystery to me and was becoming more interesting. How could he be so polite and yet so genuine? Was it all just a facade? No, you couldn’t fake something like that. Besides, over the years, I developed quite a good sense of people.

Our gazes locked, and we shared a silent connection. His storm-gray eyes captivated me too much to turn away from him. But then, a chasm opened up before me.

What does he see in me?

I shifted my head and caught a glimpse of Luca through the mirror behind the bar. It surprised me to see him following my gaze in the mirror.

“I’m sorry,” he began. “I owe you an explanation for all of this.”

I took another big sip and placed the glass back down.Here we go.

“From the moment you entered the cafe, you caught my attention.”

I raised my eyebrows, puzzled. He sounded as though he had already skipped past the flirting.

“You remind me of someone who …” Luca trailed off, and his gaze wandered off into nothingness.

What? Someone important to you?

I smiled to myself because the situation felt very familiar from my job as a callboy.

No problem, nothing will come of us anyway—unfortunately.

“Inspire me! Please be my muse.”

I hesitated, then my jaw dropped, and I stared at him dumbfounded.What is he talking about?

“I don’t understand a word of what you’re saying.”

Luca let out a desperate and frustrated sound, propped his elbows on the counter, and buried his face in his hands. “You see! This keeps happening to me! My thoughts are too jumbled for others to follow. That’s why I need a muse.”

I glanced at my beer. It was still half full.Should I drink faster?

“What exactly do you want from me?”

Luca straightened his shoulders. “I’m in my final year of film school and I have a complete block when it comes to my final project. If I had a muse …”

“Why me? You could ask anyone.”

“No.” Luca sighed, taking a sip of his beer. “It doesn’t work like that. You have this quality that I find attractive. Similar to my last muse. You’re cunning, cheeky, and a bit rude. I know it will work with you.”

Will?

Wait a minute …

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