Page 24 of Room One Hundred and Twenty

With her problems with stalking in the past, she’s never fooled around enough to gossip like this. Feels good to know she’s feeling safe enough to not worry.

Lighting up like a beacon, she floods me with information about the mystery man. Seems she is in a similar boat when it comes to looking for a distraction. Without me to complain about my problems, I’ve now opened up the floodgates.

By the time the spur of lunch rush is done, the three of us need a break.

Letting them both enjoy a breath of fresh air outside to relax for a bit, I keep things running by myself. With a smile on my lips, I wait patiently for my turn to slip away.

Coffee sounds nice. Nothing too sweet. The bitterness is exactly what I need to give my body the fuel it needs to end this week with a bang.

Today will drag, feeling neverending simply because of my arrangement with Nicolas. He insists on that cup of coffee. Secretly, I’m looking forward to seeing him.

Despite the complications with Jake, there’s this need to see Nicolas. To talk to him in a way we used to.

We have so much catching up to do.

Dazing off in my thoughts, I suddenly get this prickling sensation. The hairs on the back of my neck lift and I straighten up.

Someone is watching me. I’m sure of it. Not in the typicalI want a cupcakesort of stare either. They’re watchingme.

Taking in the lobby, people come and go as usual. Some of those who are running late from their lunch skitter across the carpet with worried expressions etched onto their face. They’re all far too distracted to put any of their attention in my direction.

A few are standing around, some with phones pressed to their ears as a conversation plays out on the other side. Some seats are taken up by those waiting to see someone further up in the building. Now those are the sort of people who’d rather give the display shelves their attention than on me.

Continuing to scan my surroundings, I land on a familiar cold blue that makes my breath catch.

Rhett Landersan is in the lobby. He’s talking to someone, but his eyes are pointed in my direction. With the twist of his chin, he’s purposely watching. With that warped frown, I can only imagine what has displeased him this time around.

Ever since our first conversation, he hasn’t approached me. However, I have caught him lingering on the floor. He’s watching me, I know it. Waiting for a moment to catch me slipping. For whatever reason, he doesn’t like me.

In all truth, I don’t think I like him either. I don’t like the feeling of being threatened for not doing anything.

Jutting my chin, I cross my arms over my chest and stand tall. All to prove I’m not to be messed around with, that I’m not afraid of one man.

Rhett does the strangest thing. His mouth twitches. Before I can see his mouth curve into a smile, he turns his attention to the person he’s talking to. Relieving me of his heavy stare, he turns now that he’s been caught in the act.

I can’t tell if he’s fucking with me or not. Maybe he doesn’t want my business here, but there are other ways of telling me so. He could shut down all of this with the flick of his wrist. Even if he doesn’t have a reason, he could do it simply because he wanted.

Sure, I don’t actually want to restart this business. I thought if I sounded confident, he’d back off a bit. Now every time he’s near, I feel like I’m walking on glass. What in the hell did I do to make him not like me? Maybe if I convinced him to taste something, to see that I do have a talent here, he’ll leave me alone.

Leaning over the counter, a sigh slips out. For all of two seconds, my smile slips away. Long enough for Rhett to sense because he shakes the hand of the man who’s hardly kept his attention before he walks in my direction.

Okay, I’m not wanting to see this man up close. After acting a bit rude during our conversation, I don’t see this one ending much better.

“Eloise Tanner.” There’s the same sharpness to his tone, my name coming out too stiff. His stare leaves goosebumps prickling up my arms. The coolness behind those blue eyes can make anyone feel unsettled.

I’m stirring up trouble by refusing to break eye contact.

“Eloise is fine.” Clearing my throat, I straighten my shoulders. “Are you here to order something, or is this another attempt to scare me off?”

It’s not working. Though, I’ll admit, the way a jolt crawls up my spine from the way his eyes light up at my questionisa bit unsettling.

He leans in and I get a rush of his expensive cologne. It probably costs more than what I earn here in a day. One sharp inhale is enough to make me woozy. Not wanting to look weak in front of this man, I keep my feet flat against the ground and grip the counter to avoid any swooning.

“What do they see in you?” His question is soft enough to be meant for only my ears. Confusion crawls in, but it immediately sizzles up into something warmer when those cool eyes take me in.

“The customers?” The words sound dumb coming out and I don’t recognize my voice. The way his eyes crinkle, we both know he’s not talking about them.

He’s talking about the men at his side. Both Jake and Nicolas have given me plenty of their attention in the last few weeks I’ve come to Seattle. Enough to make my life complicated.

---