I can’t believe I’ve intentionally woken up twenty minutes before my morning shift just to put makeup on. I hate myself right now. As soon as I got back to my room last night, I rang Bee.
“Date him. Date him. Date him!” Bee practically screamed into the phone.
“Date him, Bee? Really? He’s here for a week. That’s not dating.”
“Okay. Maybe that’s the wrong word. I meant shag him! Come on, Alex. It’s been too long. I’m sure you have an itch that needs scratching by now.”
“Even if I did have an ‘itch that needs scratching’, which I don’t, I sure as hell wouldn’t do it with a man who would obviously just use me for some type of sport while he’s on holiday.”
Bee sighed on the other end of the phone.
I knew she wouldn’t see my point. Bailey loves being that girl. She is a notorious “man slayer”. She’s never been in a relationship more than a month, which is how she likes it. She loves the fact she doesn’t have to commit herself to a man for too long. Blackpool is ideal for her. Tourists “come” and go…excuse the expression, but it’s pretty apt…and Bee thrives on that.
I guess I have never had a serious relationship, either, but that’s mainly because I put work first. There have been guys, but none who meant anything to me for more than a night or two. Guys aren’t something I really care about. I have my dreams and my goals, and a relationship never really entered into that.
I look at my reflection in the mirror, makeup and lip gloss in place, and sigh. I hate what this guy has turned me into in just one night!
Once in the main kitchen, I switch on the radio, then the oven. There’s a lovely family of four in room six who are leaving today. They have the same breakfast every morning, so I can pretty much count on them having that again. I turn on the gas to the two burners on the stove, then use my fire-light to ignite them. I potter around, opening cans of beans and tomatoes and placing them in pans. While they’re heating, I carry the little jugs of milk for tea and coffee to each table. Once each is ready, I check my pans and give them a quick stir before I top up the juices and cereals. I love this part of the day. It’s just me, the radio, and The Driftwood.
I hear the familiar voices of the two young boys from room six and smile.
It’s showtime.
I love it when breakfast is busy, like today. It’s one guest after another. After room six, room eight comes down. It has kept my mind plenty busy. For that, I am grateful.
I take some toast out to a table, smiling at the patrons sitting there. Wiping my hands down my pink apron, I look up to see a sleepy-looking Fin walking in. He's wearing blue jeans and a loose-fitting green t-shirt. I swallow hard. I really hope he didn’t just see that.
He scratches the back of his head as he talks to Brad. Oh, my god. He has amazing arms, which the t-shirt does a great job of showcasing right now.
He hasn’t noticed me yet. Part of me wishes he would, but the other part wants to hide from him and this weird attraction I feel. I had hoped by the time I saw him this morning, the effect he has on me would have worn off. It hasn't… It really hasn’t.
My palms instantly go sweaty, so I wipe them on my apron again. The guys are the last guests we have, so I know Cole and Jay will soon follow.
Fin turns around and spots me, a genuine smile spreading across his face. I can’t help but think I don’t get the sideways smile now because I shot him down when he asked for my number. I’m sure he’ll use that grin on some other unsuspecting victim in a club somewhere tonight. I just hope he doesn’t bring her back here.
“Morning, guys. Sleep well?” I ask, just like I always do with new guests.
“Perfect, Alex. Thank you.”
Why is it whenever Fin says my name, I feel the need to sit down afterward?
“Yes. Lovely room,” Brad adds with a nod, trying to unfold his napkin…failing miserably. Fin sighs and takes the napkin from him, unfolds it, and hands it back. Brad laughs.
“It’s like I’m babysitting,” Fin says, looking up at me.
“Dude, give me a break. I haven’t had caffeine yet.”
I smile. “In that case, I’d better get to work. Tea or coffee?”
“Coffee!” they say in unison. I smile and walk back to the kitchen.
I hear Brad snap, “Ouch! You kicked me!”
“You scared her off,” Fin says. I grin as I boil the kettle.
* * *
All four guys sit drinking coffee and talking while I stand at the stove, preparing breakfast. When I feel someone behind me, I look over my shoulder and panic when I see my aunt. Such a silly reaction, but I don’t want her to notice I have makeup on, and I don’t want her to call me Alexis while Fin is within earshot.
“Good morning,” I greet her cheerily.
She smiles, like she knows something’s up. I think I went overboard on the cheery. She’s obviously noticed the four guys sitting at the table, probably wondering which one has me wearing makeup.
I blush, hoping against all hope that she doesn’t notice. “Are you checking up on me?” I ask, trying to keep her from talking about the guys.
“No, sweetheart. Alistair has the day off from the pharmacy, so I thought I’d come steal a sausage sandwich for him.” She maneuvers around me to pick up the bread.
I love these two people and how much they care about each other. I pull her to me and plant a kiss on her white hair.
“Love you, Aunt Jill.”
She laughs softly. “Love you, too, sweetheart.” She gently pushes me away, like I’m embarrassing her, and continues making her sandwich.
I carry the first two breakfasts out. Just as I am about place them in front of Fin and Brad, I hear Jill’s voice from the kitchen, stalling my hands just above the table.
“Oh, I almost forgot. Bailey rang specifically to speak to me again, just to ask if you were free tonight. Seeing as it’s Friday, you are.”
I stay frozen on the spot, praying she doesn’t call me Alexis while I’m standing near Fin. I turn to look at her over my shoulder.
“So it looks like you’re going out tonight,” she says with a huge grin. I know why she’s wearing that grin, too. She wants me to have my own life and live while I’m young.
I turn back to the table, setting the plates down. “Sorry about that.”
“Thanks,” Brad replies, instantly starting to dig into his food.
For some reason, Fin is frowning at me, like he's deep in thought. I frown back before walking to the kitchen to retrieve the other two breakfasts. I head back out into the lounge and find the four guys sitting silently. I don’t like that at all. Four young guys here on a stag do and no one is talking? I give Cole and Jay their food, then return to the kitchen where I plan on hiding for as long as I possibly can.
* * *
After I clear the plates and clean the kitchen, making sure everything is turned off, I untie my apron. I shove it back into its drawer and turn the radio off. Listening for a moment, I hear nothing but silence.
Good. They’re gone.
I make my way into the lounge.
“Hi, Alex,” a deep, sexy voice says from behind me.
I’m not proud to say I let out a little squeal as I spin around to see Fin leaning against the wall next to the kitchen doorway, his arms folded across his chest. My eyes wander to his arms, which doesn’t help my already fast heartbeat, then up to his face. He isn’t smiling. Why is he not laughing that I just squealed? That he made me squeal? I thought he’d love that type of thing.
“I thought you'd all left,” I finally manage to say.
“So, you’re going out with Bailey tonight?” he asks.
“Wow, you’re nosy.” I frown and fold my arms across my chest.
“Not nosy. Observant,” he corrects and smiles. This is a new smile. It’s cocky and looks slightly angry.
He unfolds his arms and pushes himself off the wall. He puts his hands into the front pockets of his jeans and steps closer to me. I lick my lips as my mouth has suddenly gone dry.
“So, you’re going out with Bailey tonight?” he asks again. Whatever his game is, I’m getting bored of it.
“Yes, I am. Why?” The annoyance is clear in my voice.
“Who’s Bailey? Your boyfriend?”
I try my hardest not to laugh, managing to keep it to just a small grin. He licks his lips as he waits for my reply. Jesus, I want that to be my tongue running along those full lips of his! I look down at my feet and try and remind myself I am annoyed with him right now.
“I really don’t think that’s any of your business,” I say, still smiling. I know he won’t take me seriously if I’m smiling, but I’m trying really hard not to laugh. He thinks Bailey is a boy. It’s a common mistake, one that a few people have made. I’m willing to bet money he thinks the reason I shot him down last night was because I have a boyfriend.
“It’s a simple question.” He smiles this new weird smile and shrugs, his hands still in his pockets.
“Yep, and I gave you a simple answer, Fin.” Saying his name out loud makes me feel like I did something naughty…and I hate that I like it. “It's none of your business.”
He nods, his usual sideways smile crossing his face again. “Very true, Alex… Very true.” He slowly walks out of the room.
That was weird.
I stare at the doorway he just walked through. I put my hand to my chest, feeling my heart through the fabric of my black vest top.