✧

Aris comes into the cafe right on time for his trial shift. It's fairly quiet when he arrives which is a bonus. I say hello to him and take his coat and hang it up. My eyes instantly gravitate to his arms as I notice patchwork tattoos cover them.

There is a scorpion and a deck of cards, my eyes floating to the other arm where I see some writing in a language that I don't recognise. His arms are practically covered and I had no idea that he owned so many tattoos.

I take down a spare apron from the hook. Aris runs a hand down the back of his dark hair. "Are the tattoos a problem?" He asks awkwardly. "Because I can cover them up if you wish."

My head shakes. "No, of course not," I flash him a smile. "Just intrigued. We're very inclusive here, don't worry. Just make sure any jewellery is out because it can transfer dirt and we don't want health and safety making a trip down here."

Aris glances down at his hands and then slips off his collection of silver rings. "Noted," he says before tucking them into his pocket. "Anything else?"

I shake my head. "You ready to start?"

"As I'll ever be," the corners of his mouth twitches upwards.

He looks a lot more awake than when I last saw him, yeah his eyes seem a little tired but who isn't in this society? I want to give him a fair chance, especially as we've barely had anyone come in with their CV's for the advert in the window.

The first thing I do is teach him how to make coffee from the machine from lattes to cappuccinos to mochas. At first all of the different orders can be a bit of a head fuck but once you've got the hang of it, you're good to go.

Aris shows his determination to get it right and I approve of how hard he's been focusing. I can tell he's nervous, like he's going to make one mistake and the trial shift will be over. I've been working here for as long as I can remember and I still make the odd silly mistake here and there.

We're all human. No one is perfect. Apart from Declan.

After an hour I move onto food orders as it approaches lunchtime. It's not hard to shove a panini or sandwich under the grill but timing it to perfection whilst making drinks at the same time is the ultimate skill.

His manners and politeness is above par. He smiles at every customer and asks them how their day is going. I find myself smiling along with him, it's like he's been working here for months and he's just slotting in with ease.

When we get an influx of characters and Aris impresses me to the extreme, I tell him to take a small break before more customers come in. He nods and grabs a bottle of water before downing the entire contents.

His complexion is a lot paler than before but maybe he's not used to being on his feet and working continuously for two hours straight. "What do you think?" I ask as I wipe down the counter.

"There is a lot to learn but it's been fun," he comments.

I flex a brow at him. "Fun?"

He nods slowly. "I like being out and seeing people, the time has gone quickly."

"I guess that's true," I smile. "So are you still living here with your family?"

Aris lowers the water bottle from his lips and then shakes his head. "Not anymore," he says as he turns to the wall slowly. "I live by myself in a tiny flat. I wanted to move away but I can't."

My brows crease. "How come?"

"My father," he states.

I nod. "Oh, I see."

Instead of asking questions, I tell myself to mind my business. It's obvious that he doesn't want to open up about it. Just because we went to school together and we were acquaintances, doesn't mean he owes me anything.

"It's complicated," he explains.

"It's okay," I say. "You don't need to tell me anything, I was just being nosey."

Aris finds my eyes again. "What about you?"

"Still living with my mum," I laugh hesitantly. "The cafe has literally been our livelihoods forever, I don't know what I'd do without this place. I love it and hate it at the same time, even if that makes me selfish."

"I don't think so," he shrugs. "Working isn't always fun, especially when you're tired or needing money. Sometimes it's a chore and it's normal to feel that way."

I hum slowly. "Yeah, I've felt like that a few times. Even if it is my own business."

The next two hours fly by and when it reaches the end of Aris' trial, I've never been so sure of hiring him in my life. He picked things up quicker than I imagined, he kept his cool and smiled through any mistakes he made.

"How did you think it went?" I ask as he hands me his apron.

He nods once and puffs out a breath. "Good... I think?"

"You think?" I raise a brow. "Aris, that was incredible. Honestly, if someone said you'd been working here for three months. I would have believed them. You did so good. Which is why I'd love to offer you the job."

His blue eyes light up with surprise, his complexion flushing with light pink. "Really?"

I nod. "Yeah, of course. You did great. I'd love to have you on the team with me."

"Oh my God," he steps forward to wrap his arms around me. I laugh and hug him back. "You have no idea what this means to me, you've helped me out so much. Thank you."

I shug gently as we pull away. "You put in the work, you deserve it."

Something glitters in his eyes and I can see just how grateful he is. "You've really saved my life. God, I needed this job badly. Thank you for trusting me. I won't let you down, I promise."

His rush of words makes me smile. "It's okay," I nod. "Thank you for coming in and showing interest, I was losing hope for the right person. I'll send you information on hours with a contract, is there a specific amount of hours you'd like?"

Aris shakes his head. "As long as I can agree to shifts before, I'm pretty sure I can be available most days if you need me. I'm happy to do as many hours as possible, the money would really be a bonus right now. So I'll take whatever you can give me."

"Alright," I say. "I'll get a contract set up and once you've signed and sent back, we can get you set up and on the payroll."

"I'll text you my email," he says. "For the contract."

"Of course, thanks again for your help. It's been great today."

I take his apron and hang it on the hook. "I'll see you later," he waves me off with a smile that makes my insides warm.

Making someone's day really makes your day. The happiness that radiates through me is so authentic that I feel lighter. It feels good to see others feel joy.

Declan arrives just before the cafe shuts and my face bursts into a bright smile the second I see him. He's wearing a long coat that looks expensive with a rich blue knitted jumper underneath and trousers.

I love him in a suit but I love this side of him too. It makes my entire chest clench.

"Hey," he says as he strolls inside.

My cheeks flood with heat as soon as he walks closer to the counter. "Hey," I say. "How was your day?"

"Better now I get to see you," he shamelessly drops his eye into an effortless wink.

He leans over the counter and drops a quick kiss on my warm cheek. "Biassed," I say playfully.

"Never," his eyes glitter. "How was yours? How was Aris' trial?"

I'm nodding before he finishes his questions. "So good, he was amazing. He picked up everything super quick, barely made mistakes, and was here on time. I hired him, I had to. It was literally a no brainer and it felt so much easier with him being here."

Declan folds his arms over his chest. "Good, I'm pleased. Finally someone to help take all that workload from you. You deserve some rest for once. You happy?"

My lips form a grin. "Super happy. He seemed so grateful too. We're all winners."

"I'm glad," he says sincerely. "You almost done?"

I hum as I clean up the counter. "Yeah, almost."

As I loop around to the dining area, my stomach growls and it practically echoes off the walls. I blink at the sound. "Have you eaten today?" Declan raises a suspicious brow at me.

My tongue runs along my lip slowly. "Breakfast... yeah."

He huffs out a sigh and shakes his head, his arms dropping from his chest. "Come on," he beckons his head to the window. "Let's go out for dinner."

"Dinner?"

Declan searches my face and he knows our first dinner experience wasn't the most relaxing for me–even if it did end in a kiss. "Nothing fancy," he clarifies. "Just something simple so you can get some food in that stomach."

"Let me cash up," I say and Declan follows.

"I'll help."

We close up in about twenty minutes before I lock the doors and I approach Declan's car. He opens the passenger side for me and I have no idea why I'm blushing like a teenager over their first crush. I look up at him through my fair lashes and I lean up onto my toes to press an unexpected kiss to his lips. "Thanks," I say before sliding into the seat.

As soon as we're on the road, he says he's taking me out for stonebaked pizzas. My stomach rumbles at the idea and we both laugh. He parks on the side of the road and we head into the small restaurant in town.

When we sit down I scan the menu immediately, deciding what I want. Once we've ordered, I relax back in my chair and attempt to ignore my hunger for now. I have Declan sitting opposite me, wanting to be in my presence.

That alone is a shock to the system.

"Can I ask you a question?" I say as I flick my eyes over his handsome features.

Declan nods. "You can ask me anything, Luca."

I love the way he says my name. It rolls off his tongue like hot chocolate. Mmmm.

"Why haven't you been in a relationship for seven years?"

The memory came flooding back when I found myself staring at him. How could this man not have a partner for so long? Not only is he gorgeous, but he's kind, generous. He's everything I've ever wanted in a partner.

There must have been a queue of people trying to get a chance with him.

I know I was definitely in that line. Yet somehow I'm here with him. I'll never understand.

"Because I never found the right person since," he states before taking a sip of his water.

My teeth clamp down on the inside of my cheek. "I don't buy that."

Declan tilts his head and leans back in his chair, filling the space with his broad body. "Why haven't you been in a relationship for however long?"

"Because no one has liked me like that." I say quickly.

"I don't buy that." He repeats my words, narrowing his eyes at me.

I lean forward and shake my head. "Declan, you're... you. And I'm me."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You're out of my league."

"Says who?"

"Says me."

"Well you're wrong," he says boldly.

I flick my eyes between his slowly. "You're just... great. I don't know how on earth I'm sitting with you right now."

"The stars must have aligned for us," Declan smirks knowing how cheesy his statement was.

My hand leans over the table and I push his shoulder gently. "Shut up, you're not spiritual."

His laughter fills the small restaurant and it fills me with warmth. "Do we have to think about the 'ifs' and 'buts'?"

I shake my head. "No," I admit. "But I want to know about your past relationship."

"What about it?"

"Was it serious?"

"Yes."

My heart falls into my stomach. I have no idea why I asked the question when I knew it would upset me. "Oh," my throat tenses. "Why did you break up?"

"Because I wanted to focus on my career," he says slowly. "And he wanted to focus on his degree at University."

"Right person, wrong time?" I say barely above a whisper.

Declan studies me for a moment, he runs his finger around the rim of his glass. "Well, at the time it felt something like that."

I feel my hands tremble in my lap at his words. I've set myself up for this pain. "I see."

My eyes float to the table and I pray our food comes soon, even though I've lost my appetite. I don't know why I'm feeling so deflated. Declan has every right to a past life but knowing he might have still been with this guy if things in their lives worked out? It sits in my stomach like a rock.

"Luca," Declan leans forward. I suck in a breath and flick my eyes up to him. "Give me your hand."

Fuck. It hurts to even see that beautiful face.

"Please," he adds.

I pluck my hand from my lap and place it in his large palm. He twists it over and strokes the back of my knuckles with his thumb. I watch the action as it has my heart thumping like a herd of elephants.

"That was seven years ago," he says. I squeeze my eyes together because I realise I'm being insecure and pathetic. "If we were going to be together, we would be together by now. But we're not. I haven't heard from him for years. Hell, I haven't even thought about him in years. I'm over him."

My lips purse and I nod. "I'm sorry," I say quietly.

"For what?"

"Showing my age. Being insecure and crazy."

Declan breathes out through his nose with a laugh. "You're not crazy for having feelings, Luca. We all feel emotions, even when we don't want to. I know you're the sort of guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. I know you've also had your heart broken a fair few times. But this is different."

"It is?" I say hopefully.

"I don't just flirt with anyone, Luca."

My eyebrows raise. "You don't? I was out here thinking flirting was a part of your personality."

Declan flashes me a grin. "Not part of my personality, just inevitable when I'm around you."

"You used to make me so nervous," I blurt.

"Still do," he winks and I flush. He's right. He does.

Our pizzas arrive in the next couple of seconds and I'm relieved from our chat, my stomach growls and I tell myself to eat because I need the energy after today. I don't know why I attempt to self-sabotage things but it's exhausting.

Things are going well, why am I trying to upset myself? I'll never understand my brain.

I ask Declan about his day to change the subject. I'm just glad that I can be here with him, enjoying his company and this cheesy pizza. When we're done I reach into my pocket to get my wallet and pay but Declan gets there before me. "No chance," he exhales as he hands the waitress his card.

"You'll have to let me pay at least once," I pout in his direction. "It's only fair."

His dark eyes gravitate to my lips and he smirks. The waitress hands him back his card and he thanks her for her service. "Yeah..." he drawls as he tucks his wallet back in his pocket. "You can thank me in other ways."

I stand from my seat and walk out of the restaurant, Declan close behind me. "In what ways?" I say a little breathlessly when we step onto the pavement.

He grips my chin between his thumb and his finger, tilting his gaze to his face. "I remember what that mouth does," his eyes darken. "Don't you?"

My lips part to take down a breath before I have a mini heart attack.

"Yeah," my throat tenses.

"Good," he says darkly, dipping his lips to my ear. "Because I've been jacking myself off to the thought far too many times in the last few weeks. It's unhealthy."

I feel my face pale from his statement. There is no way. No fucking way.

Declan pulls back and inspects my face, smiling at me smugly when he notices my expression. He knows exactly what he's doing and it excites me more than I realise.

✧

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Author's Note

Oh they're cute but Luca asking questions that will upset him. Ugh.😭😭😭

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