Page 12 of Resurfaced Passion

Twenty minutes later she left the boss’ office and walked back to her duties with her shoulders slumped.

Well that’s that,she thought.

Just when things were starting to look up, she might have to search for a new job in the very near future, and she loved the diner, for the most part. It was early mornings and long arduous hours on her feet, plus more responsibilities with the on-site baking, but she still loved it. And who would say no to a regular income when things like heat and ramen needed to be paid for?

The owner wanted to sell.

And depending on who bought the place it might not stay a diner. Fast food places, especially drive-thru’s were everywhere now. Local diners like this one, were closing all the time, unable to compete with the chains.

It also meant her dream of owning her own cake shop would grow further away if she had to live off her savings.

Paige went about her duties on autopilot for the next few hours. Pouring coffee and cutting slices of pie served with whipped cream and smiling at every customer.

She talked and laughed and listened to other people’s daily grind and all the while her mind was fixated on what she could do.

Later still she was clearing tables and setting tasks for Lucie and helping the cook with a heavy order. She stepped out behind the counter, so ready for the day to be over so she could go home and boil herself in the tub and eat full fat ice cream. None of that protein crap. She needed the sugar and the feel-good guilt it brought with it.

It was her job to be courteous and any other day it came naturally. Today, not so much, but only one person noticed.

Only one person strode up to the counter like he’d just climbed down off his horse in the bloody battlefield and didn’t give a shit who he collided with.

Reaper’s hooded eyes burned through Paige, and she had to take a steadying breath before she truly looked at him with a smile.

How could he be so handsome? It was rude. She looked away before her heart scrambled.

“What’s wrong?” He all but growled, his face clouded over.

How could a man so big be so invisible at the same time? His body was so dense with muscle mass and yet she’d watched him on more than one occasion prowl through the diner and no one paid a lick of attention to him. She wondered how he coordinated a body so big and sleek as a wild animal.

“W-what do you mean? Nothing is wrong. What can I get you?”

“Paige. What’s wrong?”

Oh, jeez. The rattle from his throat was a warning for her to dare tell him it was nothing again. It was so flipping unfair, her heart felt like a fish caught in a net.

“Just a bad afternoon, nothing to worry about, Reaper. Do you want a coffee?”

He sort of inhaled and didn’t let it out for a very long time. Longer than was proper for breathing and Paige’s eyebrows rose up into her pink-blonde wispy hairs along her forehead line.

Then he moved.

Like a ghost, he was suddenly around the counter opening. He took her wrist gently and pulled her through.

Paige had no choice but to follow the man.

Not like she wouldn’t, she was dazed and dazzled. This was a rare time he was touching her voluntarily and her poor heart was pitter-pattering like an engine that wouldn’t start.

He took her over to his booth, swerving his manly hips so he didn’t knock over any chairs in his rush.

God, she loved the way he walked. Masculine, purposeful and determined. She often watched him leaving the diner just so she could gaze at his long, long legs.

Yeah, his legs, right, Paige.She watched his gorgeous ass.

When he’d urged her to slide into the seat of his booth, he took the other, resting both of his laced hands on top of the table, he again pinned her with his golden eyes, Paige felt the intensity right down to her shoes. Her toes curled and she tried so hard not to squirm and clasp her thighs together to stop the tingly ache in the apex.

“I can see it on your face.” He claimed. “Now tell me what’s wrong.”

She sighed. “My boss just told me he’s selling and if the new owners don’t want to keep it as a diner then I’m going to be jobless.”

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