Page 7 of The Love of Secrets

He moves so fast I raise my eyebrows. How am I ever going to figure this out? He must see the look I’m making as I try to take in what he’s saying, because he reassures me. “Don’t worry, it just seems like a lot. You’ll get a hang of it quickly. For tonight, just write down what people order and give it to me. I’ll put it in the system.”

My shoulders sag with relief. “Thank you. I promise I’ll give it my all.”

“Don’t worry, Cecilia. I’m not going to freak out over mistakes.” He tilts his head slightly. “You seem like someone who needs a break.”

“I do. I really need this job. You don’t know how much this means to me,” I whisper, swallowing the lump of emotions sitting in my throat.

“No problem. I know something about needing a break. Why don’t we take a break from the system and unload these glasses?” With a tap of the bar, he spins around to unload the glassware placing them on the shelves of the bar.

We make small talk as Ricky explains more about the bar while we replace any missing alcohol from the stock, making sure that the napkin dispensers and all the drink toppings are full. I didn’t realize there was so much to do to get a bar ready to open, but it helps make the time go by faster. Before I know it, it’s time to open.

Ricky and I hang out behind the bar until the first customer walks in fifteen minutes later, but he sits at one end and chats with Ricky. A group of ladies come in, and it suddenly feels like the bar is filled with people.

I walk up to their table with my best server smile. “Hey ladies, what can I get you?”

They go around in a circle, giving me their drink order. I carefully write it all down. The last thing I need to do is mess up my first order. I know Ricky said it’s not a big deal, but I want to make sure that he knows he didn’t make a mistake hiring me. Once I bring back their drinks, I continue to walk around the bar getting more drink orders and replacing those that need it.

When it’s time for me to check back on the group of ladies, I notice that a few more people have joined them. I walk up to the table, keeping my eyes down at my notebook. “What can I get you guys to drink?”

When I look up, my eyes connect with the sexy gym owner. A gasp escapes me. “Mateo.”

My body heats as one side of his mouth lifts into the sexiest smirk I’ve ever seen. I was hoping my reaction from earlier was just because it’s been a long time since I’ve been in proximity to someone who seems to want me, but now I’m thinking it might be more than that.

Someone at the table clears their throat, breaking the spell that Mateo’s gaze holds me under. I blink my eyes a few times. “Sorry, what can I get you?”

“Your name and number.” A young guy whose looks favor, Mateo asks with a hint of a flirtatious tone.

“Alex,” Mateo growls.

The guy that Mateo called Alex let’s out a deep belly laugh as the rest of us at the table stares at him. After a few seconds of him laughing he becomes aware that no one else is laughing along with him. He straightens himself and clears his throat.

“Sorry. Bad joke. We’ll have whatever beer you have on tap for us three.” He points to himself, Mateo, and another guy who also resembles him. They have to be his brothers.

I nod my head, not knowing what else to say and turn to head back to the bar. Once I reach it, I give Ricky the order and wait patiently when a warm, strong body presses against my back. Before I can even react, he speaks against the side of my neck, causing my breath to skip.

“Pretty Girl, I found you.”

I turn around and stand as straight as possible, trying to convey a confidence I don’t feel. It’s time to set boundaries. Being around Mateo gives me a sense of safety but the last time I thought a man would take care of me, it ended badly. That won’t happen again.

“Don’t call me that.”

I step to the side to move around the sexy hulk of a man standing in front of me, but he follows, blocking my exit. I lick my lips. What I really want to do is see what’s underneath his form fitting black tee currently molded to his perfect body. But I can’t do that. I need to keep my head on straight. “Please move.”

“Only because you asked so nicely, Pretty Girl. But know that you will be mine. I’ll make sure of it.”

A knot forms in my throat, and I try to swallow it down. No. I won’t allow him to take over my life like I have in the past. He steps to the side and I take the out he’s giving me, quickly scampering away before I do something I’ll regret.

Chapter six

Mateo

Iwake up the next morning with a headache. Last night was not something I’d expected. When I agreed to go to the bar with Alex, I thought we would just have a few drinks and then I would escape, returning to my home where I don’t have to pretend to like anyone. Instead, I had a pleasant surprise when I arrived. Cecilia works there.

A smile comes to my face when I remember the look on hers when she saw me. I was blown away by how beautiful she looked. When I’d left the gym earlier, part of me was hoping that it was just an infatuation that I’d be able to forget after getting laid. But the moment I saw her again, I knew that wasn’t the case. She is meant for me, and I’ll make her mine. Even if I have to prove it to her every day.

The alarm on my phone finally goes off. I need to get to work. Forcing myself to climb out of bed, I head to the kitchen. These days in my older age, a few beers seem to give me a headache the next day. Ugh. I wasn’t even drunk last night. Pouring myself a glass of water, I grab some ibuprofen from the cabinet. The next cure on my list is to make myself a cup of coffee. Thankfully, I had the foresight to get the coffeepot ready before I left for the bar and with a push of a button, it starts to brew.

My mind drifts back to the new gorgeous girl in town. She’s younger than me. If I had to guess, she looks to be in her early twenties, which would make me ten years older than her. I let out a moan as I run my hand down my face. Shit, I should probably leave her alone, but that’s not happening. I’ve never been drawn to anyone like this before. Alex was right yesterday when he said I take care of everyone else. Now I want to take care of Cecilia. I’m too old and tired to fight what I feel for her.

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