4

PHOENIX

I yawn, rub my eyes with the back of my thumb, then close my laptop after reading the email from the manager of the coffee shop I recently bought.

I can’t help but think about the parking lot girl—her eyes, her laugh, and the way she jumped when she finally guessed the right name. It just...she makes me smile. I know one day, there’s a possibility of crossing our path again. This town is not that big, but the question is when?

I wake up just when my alarm goes off. After my breakfast, I shower, then I wear a shirt and jeans to look more casual. I will check first the restaurant since the nightclub will open at night.

It’s almost eleven when I get out of the restaurant, and everything is under control.

I answer the call from Mom when I get inside the car. “Mom, how are you? Did you take your meds on time?”

“Oh, honey, I’m good. Don’t worry about me. How about you? How’s your business?” She sounds relaxed.

After the divorce, Mom was diagnosed with Acute coronary syndrome. She’s on regular meds, diet, and monthly appointments.

“I’m doing great, and business is good. Aren’t you planning on coming to see me?”

She doesn’t like this place after the divorce had been finalized. She never remarries. Unlike dad, who met women and had a fair share of mistresses.

“You know the reason why, but since your dad passed away, I might think of revisiting that place. So much about me, I heard from Hawk that you met someone. Tell me about her, honey.”

I slump my head back against the seat. I’ll kick his ass. “I didn’t meet anyone, mom. It was just a short conversation. I shouldn’t have mentioned it to him.”

Mom laughs. I never introduce any woman to her—even my college girlfriend.

“Well, you know Hawk. He’ll tell me everything about you. You really should date and get married, honey. I’m not getting any younger anymore. I want to see my grandchildren before I’ll die.”

I don’t like the idea of dying. Dad just passed away a few months ago. I love my mother so much, and I will do everything if I can just extend her life.

“No more talking about dying. Why not ask Hawk for grandchildren? He has a wife, and I can’t just impregnate any woman you know that.” I sigh. This conversation is getting nowhere.

“Oh, honey, I’m not worried about Hawk. His life is stable. You, on the other hand, have everything except a woman to warm your bed at night. I don’t like the idea of you just banging around, Alexander Phoenix. It’s time to move on and date, and have a girlfriend.”

I groan, “Seriously? Is this really the reason why you’re calling me? To lecture me about banging women. Christ, mom! if I meet someone I like, I’ll let you know. I want you to be proud of me and be happy for me.” I run my fingers through my hair in frustration.

“You know that I’m proud of you, and I’m happy with your business, but you can’t stop me from worrying about your future—like when are you going to settle down and have a family.” I can hear the disappointment in her voice, but I can’t blame her though because life is too short, and even my father died at only sixty.

“Can you give me a break? I’m not forty. I’m twenty-six, and I still have so much time to meet and date someone.” Yeah, contrary to what I have in mind, but it’s the only way to stop my mother from dragging me to this issue.

“That’s what I’m worried about. I would die first before you would date and have a girlfriend. Just like what you said, you’re only twenty-six and you still have so much time.”

Honestly, I’m getting pissed. I bite my lower lip. Suddenly, I remember the parking lot girl. Jesus!

“Mom, I’m already late. I really have to go to see the shop. We’ll talk about this next time. Take care, okay?”

“We’re far from done, Alexander Phoenix. I love you.” I can still feel her disappointment, and it fucking hurts.

“I love you, too. Bye, Mom.”

I feel guilty. I always did everything she wanted me to do except this relationship thing. My parents didn’t have a good marriage and ended up divorced. I don’t want to be like them when I settle down.

I broke my heart once, and I don’t like breaking it again.

I drive my car to the coffee shop where my next visit is. I’m already late. I am surprised to see the parking lot that I almost don’t have a space to park my car.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee, cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar wafting in the entire place as I enter. The tables are almost full, and the waitstaff is busy. Nobody notices me yet, which is good!

I walk to the aisle only to be surprised by the woman in a black apron—her hair tied in a neat bun, makeup-free face, and a hint of lip gloss on her healing lips. Jane Doe is wearing a light pink shirt, skinny jeans, and flats.

The woman that I thought about frequently has a tray on her hand with a cup of coffee and a pastry.

Fuck!

She’s working in my coffee shop and doesn’t have any idea about me?

She hasn’t noticed me yet.

A woman with bigger tits calls the name Sam. Then she stops and looks at her.

Okay, so, Jane Doe’s name is Sam. Beautiful. She ignores the big tits woman and walks toward my direction, and the tray hits me.

Hot!

Fuck!

The content spills on my shirt down to my jeans. Hot coffee. Shit!

I might be getting a first-degree burn. The sound of the tray, cup, and saucer echoes in the entire place that catches everyone’s attention. She’s babbling and says something that Mr. Williams will fire her while she’s rubbing her apron to my wet shirt.

Shit! I stiffen when her fingers touch my lower abdomen, and my traitor cock is happily reacting to her innocent touch. Shit again! She notices my bulging pants. I clench my jaw, grit my teeth, and breathe deeply to calm myself. What the hell is she doing to me?

When the manager Daniel Chase comes rushing to us, she stops cleaning, then she looks at me wearing a shocked look on her face. She’s more beautiful in broad daylight—her gorgeous blue eyes glimmer with pain and worry.

I want to kiss away those worries and pain away. Daniel is pissed at her, but I’m more pissed when he grabs her tiny arm to face him, causing her to flinch.

My nose is flaring, and I want to punch him. Samantha was just harassed by her ex, and now he’s hurting her. Even as big as he is, I can surely knock him down if he won’t leave her alone.

“I’m fine, that didn’t do me any harm. Let’s talk in your office, Daniel.”

He nods in agreement.

“Go clean up, Samantha,” I tell her a little Bossier, then I face Daniel again. “Ask someone to clean this mess.”

He looks at Sam.

“Not her. She has to change her apron,” I order, and look at her again who still looks terrified. “I’ll talk to you later, Samantha.”

I like her name on my tongue—it rolls delicately like honey. I smile at her to assure her that I’m not angry.

When she nods, I follow Daniel to his office.

He lets me sit on the chair in front of his desk.

“How long she’s been working here?” I don’t know why I even ask, but he looks surprised by my question.

“Two years. She’s one of the hard-working waitresses, but she’s only working part-time though because she’s still in college with some girls who also work here.”

I nod glumly. “Do you always grab them by the arm when they did mistakes or just Samantha?”

His eyes widen, looks alarmed. “O-of course not, Mr. Williams. She’s like a sister to me, and it was her first time to get into an accident with a customer. I apologize for my behavior earlier.”

I cut in, “Don’t apologize to me, Chase. Apologize to Samantha. She looks terrified back there, and it’s not good to scare someone in front of the customers, is it?”

He nods. “You’re right, and I will, Mr. Williams.”

“Good. Now tell me about this coffee shop.”

After almost an hour, we wrap up the meeting. Daniel Chase is actually good at what he’s doing even though my blood is still boiling to what he did to Samantha. He does his job seriously.

I get out of his office and scan the place. Samantha is nowhere to be found.

“Where is Samantha?” I ask the waitress with big tits.

She smiles at me. “Mr. Williams, she went through the back of exit. Her shift is over thirty minutes ago.”

Her apron has the name Amy on it. “Wait a sec. Did she go home?” The panic in my voice is obvious, making Amy chuckle.

“Not yet. Her ex came and wanted to talk to her.”

I narrow my eyes. “And you let her go there alone to talk to her jerk of an ex?”

Shit! Did I just burst out my anger on her? Poor Amy.

“Um, she insisted on talking to him alone. She said she can handle him.”

I groan. “Where?”

She points to the kitchen.

I stride inside the kitchen and see the exit sign. I pull the door open, and there they are, in an intense conversation, and I want to break every bone in his body. One more touch on her again, he will regret the day he’s born. I hear footsteps coming, and it’s her friend, Amy.

Then I see red when he grabs Samantha’s arm.

My rage takes over—I stride to them and push him away from her. His eyes widened in shock to see what I had just done.

Sam gasps beside me.

I grab his shirt. “This is the last time you ever going to touch her! You, motherfucker hurt her more than once, and I wouldn’t dare do that if I were you. If I ever see you get near her, or I heard that you talk to her again, I will fucking find you and kill you myself!” My fist is already trembling and wanting to punch him, and it takes all my courage to control myself for the sake of Samantha. “Did you understand me?”

“Y-yes.”

I don’t release his shirt, yet. “Apologize!”

He hesitates, and I grab his shirt stronger that might rip off from his body.

“I-m s-sorry, Sam.”

I push him and let him stumble to the ground.

“Get the hell away from my property before I will break your worthless bone!” I grit my teeth and face Sam, who’s still in shock, wrapping her arms around her body.

I take a huge breath to calm my nerves. “Come here, Samantha. Let’s get inside.” I offer my hand.

She grabs my hand firmly. Shit! Just her simple touch makes me feel alive. I ignore Daniel and Amy at the door. I glance at Sam who has not said a word.

“You okay, Samantha?” I’m worried about her because I have seen this kind of scenario, and I don’t like men hurting women in general.

“Yeah, I’ll live. Thank you by the way.” She smiles at me tightly.

She tries pulling her hand when she notices we are not alone, but I tighten the grip—I’m not ready to let her go. She looks confused, and the two exchange a look as well.

I face Daniel. “If that asshole will show up here again, either as a customer or wanna talk to Samantha, let me know. I don’t want him coming near her again.”

I look at Amy. “Even at school. Amy. Call me when that jerk gets near her.”

She gives me a wide smile and winks at me. “Got it, boss.”

“Are you going home now, Samantha?” I look at her. Our hands still intertwined.

“Yeah, it’s been a very long day. Can I have my hand now, Mr. Williams?” With the emphasis of Mr. Williams.

I bark into laughter. “Not a chance. I still have to send you to your car.” I shrug, causing Amy and Daniel to laugh with me.

“I got to get inside. Mr. Williams,” Daniel said.

“Thank you, Daniel.”

I smile at Samantha when she suddenly glares at me. “Just trying to be a gentleman.”

“You said your name is Phoenix, but they said it’s Alex Williams. You lied to me.”

“Is that why you’re upset? Only a few people call me by Phoenix. Those are my family and my old friends. My name is Alexander Phoenix Archibald Henry Williams.”

“Wow! Your mother was having fun giving you that long name, isn’t she?”

“I think so. Hawk is Albert Hawk.”

She shakes her head with amusement.

“Now it’s time for you to introduce yourself. We’ve met twice, but you haven’t told me your name. Don’t you think it’s unfair?”

She rolls her eyes. Jesus, she’s so beautiful. “You know my name, it’s Samantha. Friends call me Sam.”

A new girl joins us. “Sam’s life has been boring for a year now, but her name is Samantha Lorraine Anderson. Don’t kill me, Sam.”

“Samantha Lorraine. Beautiful. Suits you well.”

“Ugh. I need to get my bag. Now, can I have my hand back?”

“Fine, but I will still send you to the parking lot.”

“So, he must be the hot one you met last Saturday.” Amy looks at her and bumps her arm on Sam’s, causing her to blush as red as a tomato.

“Uh-huh! So, you told her about how we met?” I tease.

“Both of you, please, leave me alone!”

That makes us laugh more, then she rushes inside the kitchen.

“So, Phoenix, do you like my friend?” Amy crosses her arms over her chest and raises her eyebrows.

“Is it too obvious?” I raise a brow.

She gives me a high-five. “I like you already.”