I woke up Sunday morning and jumped in the shower. I put on my black and white waitress uniform and drove to work in my old blue Ford Focus. I pulled up to the restaurant I worked at and sighed.

Only 3 more years and I will be able to get a job in psychology. I can do this.

I walked in and immediately heard my boss yelling at one of my co workers.

"If you can't even handle busing tables then you can find your way out right now!" Cindy yelled. I cringed at my boss's squeaky voice. I hated that woman, she was such a dictator. A young girl, who looked only about 14 years old came running out from the back crying and rushed out the front doors. I watched her, feeling sorry for the girl. Then my attention snapped up as I heard Cindy call my name. I rushed to the back and met her beady dark muddy colored eyes. Her grey hair was pulled into a bun like it usually was.

"Crystal, hurry up and get out there. Lisa called in sick and that little punk just ran out on us!" She demanded. I groaned internally but quickly clocked in and walked out into the dining room to wait on tables.

I hated this job.

I hated my boss even more.

But I loved the tips.

A lot of high class businessmen came here and their tips were amazing. It paid the bills and left some for me to put in savings. So I smiled and I took the verbal beatings and I sucked it up. I set a receipt on a table with a nice couple that were having an anniversary dinner. I turned around from the noise of the bell of someone walking in to see those damn mismatched eyes.

What the hell is he doing here?

I watched him as he turned the corner to find a table when we made eye contact. He smirked and it made me want to punch him in the face. I glared at him as he sat down in my section.

Damn it all to hell!

Is he stalking me or something?!

I slowly walked up to his table and did my spiel with just a little less enthusiasm as usual.

"Good morning, my name is Crystal, I will be your waitress. What would you like to drink?" He smirked at me the whole time I talked.

"I'm waiting for my coach to meet me here so I'll just have a water for now...Crystal. Hmmm...nope. I like Goldilocks better."

Fucking-son-of-a-bitch.

I narrowed my eyes at him at the use of my name.

But why in the hell is my heart fluttering like this? And what is with the Goldilocks thing?

"Mhm, I'll be right back with that." I said in an irritated tone and then turned on my heel and walked off. I brought a couple tables their orders that were done and then brought Declan his water. As I set his glass down, his coach sat down across from him. I gave the man a smile and proceeded to introduce myself again.

"Morning! My name is Crystal and I will be your waitress, would you like something to drink?" He gave me a sweet smile.

"Water is fine." He said and off I went. I noticed his voice was just a couple octaves lower than Declan's but they sounded similar. I thought again about if they were related. I decided they had to be but I was curious about the relation.

Is Declan his son? That would be the most probable situation.

"Crystal! Table 5 needs bussed!" I groaned at Cindy's voice bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Yup! I'm on it!" I called back as I rushed to clean off the table. I quickly turned around to rush to the back with the bucket of water in hand when I ran into something hard, sending the bucket flying from my grasp. I was caught before I could fall completely to the ground though. The hands that were holding me up sent electric shocks through my body. I looked up to see his mismatched eyes.

Fuck my life.

"Didn't I tell you to pay more attention to your surroundings, Goldilocks?" His voice sounded amused despite his condescending words. I pulled away from him and picked up the bucket off the floor.

Ugh, there's water everywhere.

Ignoring him, I walked away and grabbed a mop. After I cleaned up the mess, I remembered I forgot about Declan's coach's water. I rushed to the back and got a water and brought it to his table, trying to cover up the fact that I was out of breath. Declan stared at me with a serious expression while his coach smiled at me.

"I'm so sorry for the wait. I had a little...spill." I glanced to see Declan's eyes on me.

"So are you two ready to order?" I asked. His coach nodded and then looked expectantly at Declan.

"Yeah, I'll have the veggie omelet." He said, his voice sounded distracted.

"Toast, hash browns or a muffin with that?" I asked.

"Hash Browns." He responded and then looked up at his coach.

"I'll have the eggs Benedict with white toast." He said as I heard an audible gag from Declan, gaining both of our attention.

"Dad, really? That's horribly bad for you and you know it. You're supposed to be watching your cholesterol." His voice was stern like he was scolding a child. His dad gave a sheepish grin.

I was right! It's his dad! I mentally high fived myself.

"Oh, fine! I'll have the boring same thing as my son." He responded, looking visibly disappointed. I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. Both of them looked at me with wide eyes and I felt a blush cross my cheeks.

What the hell is with this blushing lately? Calm the fuck down, Crystal!

"I'll go put your order in right away!" I said hurriedly before rushing to the back and hanging up their order. I turned around to walk back to the other tables when I almost ran into Declan again. I looked up into his dreamy eyes.

Dreamy?! What the hell?!

Not dreamy.

Nope.

"Hey, I was trying to ask you earlier, where are the bathrooms?"

That's why I ran into him earlier? He was going to ask me where the bathrooms were?

"They're down that hallway. First door on the right." I said, pointing to where I was talking about. He nodded and then headed in that direction. I watched him, his body moved in a way that was so enticing.

"Crystal! I'm not paying you to stand around! Get back to work!" Cindy's voice brought me out of my trance and I quickly went back to waiting on the tables. After a while I heard a bell ding, indicating someone's order was ready. I walked up to the bar and saw that it was the omelets. I grabbed the plates, easily balancing them in my hands. I walked them over to their table and set them in front of Declan and his father.

"Is there anything else I can get you?" I asked. They both shook their heads and I walked away. I reached my hand into my apron out of habit. I felt the piece of paper with Declan's phone number on it. I had subconsciously put it in there this morning when I got dressed.

What is wrong with me? I've never let a man consume my thoughts the way this guy did.

I looked over my shoulder at Declan eating. Even the way he ate was appealing. And because my life can never be simple, he looked up to trap my gaze. I felt my breath catch in my throat. His gorgeous eyes stared mine down, looking straight into my soul. Finally, I broke our staring contest and brought myself back to reality. I let go of the paper in my apron and returned to my tables. I printed a receipt and brought it to Declan's table. I set it down and glanced at Declan who was staring at my hand. I looked down to see what was wrong with it and realized I had given myself a paper cut from the receipt.

I'm such a fucking idiot.

I brought my my hand up to my waist and pressed the cut tightly to my apron, hoping to stop the bleeding.

"You ok?" He asked. And I felt myself transported to the moment when he asked me that same question at the club the first time I heard him speak. I shook my head at the memory.

"I'm fine." I said as I turned and walked away. Suddenly I felt a large hand on my shoulder, forcing me to turn around. Declan grabbed my hand with the paper cut and pulled out his wallet. I watched him in shock as he grabbed a small band aid from it, slipped his wallet into his back pocket and then proceeded to unwrap the bandaid and slide it onto my hand where the cut was. I felt like I had been paralyzed as I watched him.

Why is he doing this?

Finally, he let go of my hand and I felt my stomach drop as his warmth left my skin. I came back to my senses as I heard his voice.

"There." One word had my heart beating so fast I thought he could hear it. I looked up into his eyes as they showed true concern for my well being.

No man had ever looked at me like his before...not even my own father.

"Why?" My voice came out weak and wavering. His eyebrows furrowed.

"Can't I just do something nice because it's the right thing to do?" He asked. I stared at him for a moment before shaking my head, trying to undo his power over me.

"You...you're...why are you so nice to me? I've been a bitch to you."

Why did I say that? I have never admitted that before to anyone, even if I was being a total jerk.

He smirked and then shrugged his shoulders.

"Something about you makes me want to protect you." His voice sent goosebumps onto my arms and a lump formed in my throat. No one has ever wanted to protect me before.

"I can protect myself." I tried putting strength behind my voice but it still came out small. His eyes filled with worry and concern and...something else I didn't know.

"You shouldn't have to." He said quietly.

"Crystal! Do you want to keep your job?! If so, then you better stop talking and start working!" Cindy's voice made me close my eyes tightly, holding back all of the bad words I wanted to yell at her. I opened my eyes to see an amused Declan. I gave him a small smile before turning around and walking to the back to continue working.

Why was this man making me feel these things that I've never felt before?

I looked over my shoulder before opening the door to the back. He was staring after me, smiling. I felt a blush, once again, cover my cheeks. I quickly turned back around and went through the door, letting it close behind me.