Reluctant Love, Part One

Chapter One

Sophia

“Well, it looks like that might be all for the night,” I told Marsha just as a customer shut the door behind her. I leaned against the counter that was the border between the customers and myself on a usual day and sighed.

Marsha’s chubby face looked up from where she was stationed in the kitchen. “One can only hope so. Lord knows how tired I am.”

I laughed. I leaned off the counter and was about to go help her out in the back a bit before we closed up, but I heard the bell as the door swung open.

Sighing, I put on the best smile that I could.

That fake smile turned real when I turned around and saw who walked in.

“Alex,” I greeted him. “What brings you back into these parts of town?”

Even under the white lights of the diner, Alex’s skin was as golden as if he stood outside in the sun. He took off the large hat that covered his dusty brown hair and offered me a smile.

“Hey, Sophia.” His voice was smooth as whiskey on ice as he replied. He smirked when he took one of the stools before me.

I turned my head to the notepad now in my hands to avoid letting him see the color that rose to my cheeks. “What’ll you have tonight, Alex?”

“I’ll take the chef’s special if it’s still available,” he replied, taking up the menu.

I nodded. “One chef’s special coming right up.” I turned and headed back to the kitchen, aware of his eyes on my every movement.

“Seems like he’s never lost that thing that he’s had for you, Sophia,” Marsha said beneath her breath when I came into the kitchen. Her voice was worn down from the day we’d just had.

I laughed and handed her the order. “He doesn’t have a thing for me. And, even if he does, I think it’ll go away soon enough. My heart has had quite enough for one lifetime.”

“Sophia, you need to let go of the pain of the past and let someone new love you.”

“Pain of the past? It’s only been a year.”

“A year should’ve been enough time to get over that pain.” She looked at me like she knew something that I didn’t.

I considered it for a bit. Had it been long enough? Had I just been too caught up in my own world to realize that a year was enough time and I should’ve been able to move on by now? I had to admit, however, that the nights were getting a lot colder than I’d become used to.

“I think I just need a distraction,” I said and looked towards the door. I smiled and looked back toward her. “Are you—”

“No, Sophia. Do not use that boy like that.”

My smile turned into a full grin. “Why not?”

“Because,” she said as she dumped some food into the pot to heat it up. “I don’t think that he’s into games like you are. He seems serious.”

“One way to find out.” I gave her a mischievous look and left before she could protest.

My heart was racing as soon as I left the kitchen. He was looking out the window of the diner with his hands in front of him. He was as good-looking as the day I’d last seen him. He turned to me and offered a smile, which I returned.

“So, what brought you back to this old joint?” I asked as I leaned my elbows on the counter and propped my chin on my palm.

He looked down and smirked at me. “You’ve never changed, Sophia,” he said. “Ever the flirt even when you know it won’t be going anywhere because of your boyfriend.”

The smile faded from my mouth. “I, umm—I’m single now.”

He nodded, the stubble on his chin moving with the action. “I know.”

I raised my brows at him. “Oh, you did? So, then, why’d you ask?”

“I heard the talk on the town earlier tonight, but I just wanted you to confirm it.”

I laughed. “Really, Alex? Is that also why you’re here tonight? You thought you would catch my attention this way?”

“You tell me.” He leaned closer to me. “Is it working?”

I laughed again. “You’re terrible, you know that?”

He smiled showing brilliant, white teeth. “In all the right ways and more.” He winked at me just as Marsha dinged to signal that his food was ready.

I rolled my eyes. “Your pick-up lines never got any less corny,” I told him before I went inside to get his food and return.

“So, you gonna tell me what happened?” he asked before digging in.

I shrugged and went around to the other side of the counter to sit beside him. “Well, that’s a very long story that I think neither of us is interested in hearing tonight.”

He pointed his fork lazily to show that he understood. “So, what’s next? Nobody that you’re interested in at the moment?”

I smiled at him. “Is that your way of asking if I’m single and interested in you, Alex?”

He flicked a brow but only smirked through a mouth full of food as a response.

I tapped him on the shoulder twice and got off the stool. “Gotta try harder than that, buddy.”

I walked around to my side of the counter and decided to return to the back. I felt his eyes following me the whole way.

I missed the flirty side of me if I did admit it to myself. And I liked that, of all people, Alex was the one who I got to try it on. I’d had second thoughts about giving him a chance but, come to think of it, he just might be the most perfect candidate for the job.