Sounding foggy and far away, I faintly hear my cell phone ringing on my nightstand.

I stretch, yawn and roll over, bleary-eyed and wondering who the fuck is calling me so early.

The numbers on my alarm clock finally come into focus and I realize it’s ten o’clock, so it’s not early anymore.

“Hello?” I quickly clear my throat, so I won’t sound like a gruff hyena.

“Hanna, I need to talk to you.”

I recognize that abrasive and curt voice, it’s Jana from the restaurant.

I clear my throat again and sit up in bed, rubbing my eyes. “Jana? Okay is everything alright?”

I can’t help but have a twinge of a worry cross my mind about why she is calling me and that it might be for something reprimanding.

“Everything is fine.” Her tone is impatient. “Do you want to work for a private dinner event tonight?”

“Um,” I falter. “I have a shift at the restaurant,” I remind her.

Jana sighs dramatically. “Do you want the gig or not? You will earn extra cash.”

Finally, the big break I’m hoping for! Maybe the universe isn’t so unkind after all.

“Um, yes…of course I will take it,” I say and chuckle, grinning from ear to ear.

“Fine, I’ll get someone else to cover your shift.”

“Thank you!” I chime enthusiastically as I bounce up and down on my bed.

Jana gives me the address to the private dinner party and what time to show up. I mentally wonder who it will be for and whether I’ll see any celebrities.

Nervous, excited energy fills me to the brim and I find myself looking forward to work for once.

The address is out in the Hamptons, so even though I know it will be an extremely long trek out there it will all be worth it for the bonus cash.

After I hang up with Jana, I’m on cloud fucking nine.

I hope I can make some connections tonight that will help me network and spread the vines of success.

I immediately call my mom to give her the exciting news. If I can become successful enough to pay my parents back even half of what they’ve already given to me, then I’ll be a happy camper.

“Hi, Mom,” I shout into the phone, the joy vibrating across the miles between us.

“Oh, hi, Hanna. I’m just working in the garden,” my mom declares.

I know she loves to be outside, doing yard design. I always joke and tell her she should start up her own landscaping business, but she writes me off, saying it’s more of a therapeutic hobby for her than something she would want to turn into an actual job.

“That sounds good. Mom, guess what?” I can hardly contain my excitement.

“What, sweetie?” She flares with intrigue.

“I got an awesome side job for tonight, it’s a private party out in the Hamptons. Mom, I’m so freaking excited you have no idea.” I talk animatedly and ambitiously.

“That’s so wonderful, Hanna,” my mom states with sincere enthusiasm. “You are such an amazing, hard worker that I’m not surprised something good is happening for you on the financial front.”

“Thanks for always believing in me, Mom. Will you tell Dad the news?”

“I sure will, sweetie.”

“Okay, I’m going to let you go back to your yard work now,” I say. I’m too bubbly and so pace my apartment, too energized right now to sit still.

After I hang up with my mom, I get dressed in black pants and a white crisp shirt, just as Jana instructed me to do.

I must take a train as far as I can and then I’ll have to Uber the rest of the way, but the restaurant is kindly offering to reimburse me for my cab fare which I greatly appreciate.

Before I head out the door, I take one last look at my reflection in the mirror and pray that I don’t find some way to fuck up tonight although I’m leaving my house more upbeat and positive than I have been in weeks.

When I walk up the front circular drive of the Hampton’s house, I try not to gawk as my jaw hangs to the ground at my feet.

The house itself is grandiose, to say the least. Its beautiful red brick with black shutters give the curb appeal a cozy and inviting feel.

I walk up to the porch and ring the doorbell, which I can hear chime throughout the house along with the sound of chattering people and mingling crowds.

Nervously, I fidget and adjust my clothing before someone answers the door.

A brunette woman greets me by staring me down. “Can I help you?”

“Um, hi…I’m Hanna Smith. I’m here as a server for the party.

“Oh, right,” the woman says and moves aside to let me in, but as soon as she does she whisks away, back across the foyer and out of sight. Now where the fuck do I go?

“Hanna, there you are.”

I look ahead at the sound of my name and notice that Jana is approaching me.

“We need you in the kitchen immediately,” she huffs. “Follow me.”

“Whose house is this?” I ask, trying to keep up the pace with Jana’s stride.

She stops and looks at me as if I’m a total idiot. “Are you kidding? This is Rocco’s house,” she says in a condescending tone.

My cheeks flush with the heat of becoming overwhelmed in an instant but I try to hide that emotion from Jana.

“Oh, cool,” I say nonchalantly even though I’m screaming inside.

We make it to the kitchen that is fit for a king, much less a five-star chef. There are two sets of double ovens along with two dishwashers, a farm sink, and industrial style appliances.

“This is amazing,” I mutter more to myself than to Jana. A huge island sits in the center of the kitchen complete with gorgeous marble countertops.

“Are you admiring my kitchen?”

I spin around, recognizing Rocco’s voice instantly. I blush in his presence, feeling arousal and desire bubble to the surface of my mind.

“It’s great,” I nod.

“Here, take these bacon-wrapped scallions and the cream cheese dip to table four,” Jana interrupts my semi-private moment with Rocco to shove a platter at me.

I give him a sheepish smile and notice a twinkle in his eye that I haven’t seen before. “Gotta get to work,” I giggle like a school girl with a boy crush.

“Knock em’ dead,” Rocco gives me a wink that makes a puddle form in my panties.

I walk out to find table four and notice it’s on a back deck overlooking the most gorgeous pool and backyard I’ve ever seen.

“Hello,” I say and greet the guests politely. “Would you care for any appetizers tonight?” I lean forward, extending the platter.

The guests smile at me and carefully remove each skewer to take a sample. One man with greying hair groans with delight. “These are delicious,” he exclaimed.

“What’s your name, young lady?”

“Hanna…Hanna Smith,” I grin shyly but my confidence boosts from the positive attention.

“Hanna Smith, you are a wonderful waitress. I will make sure to tell your boss what a great job you are doing.”

“Thank you, sir,” I beam although I notice he’s slightly on the tipsy side and probably being friendly mostly from that, although I am hoping he remembers to spread the good word about my work.

I waltz back into the kitchen, still dripping with confidence from the compliments.

“What are you so smiley about?” I turn around and there Rocco is again, standing next to a gas stove stirring a creamy marinara sauce.

“Oh, uh…I think they like me at table four,” I grin and point a thumb back in their direction.

“Of course, they do,” Rocco casts me a sexy grin that makes my heart beat faster.

The sexual tension and chemistry between us are undeniable and I can’t believe he’s focusing this level of attention on me.

“Thanks,” I whisper and slowly walk towards him, drawn in like a magnet.

“Do you want to taste my sauce?” He has a sly expression on his face and his sexual innuendo about the sauce is not lost on me.

“Sure,” I grin back and bite my lip.

As he leans in to give me a bite from the spoon, he accidentally rubs up against my thigh. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to notice that he’s completely hard for me, and his pants bulge is all but subtle.

I stare at it as he continues to grin at me.

“You’re really pretty,” he whispers and before I know what is happening, his lips are on mine. He tastes like cherry coke and his mouth is soft, hungry for me.

I part my lips effortlessly to allow his tongue in for exploring. The magic surges through us and sparks connect us.

Before things get too heavy, a timer goes off on the stove and he gets distracted, going back to whisking the sauce.

He shakes his head. “These fucking investors,” he grumbles.

“What?” I ask, confused while I try to control my breathing and desperate heart.

“The owner of the restaurant set this little dinner party up. I think it’s bullshit though and I see right through these fake ass people.”

“Oh,” I watch him putter around adding seasonings to various dishes.

“Hanna, get back to work,” Jana walks into the room and rolls her eyes.

“Sorry,” I grab another tray. I am not going to let her, or anyone get in the way of my happiness tonight, especially now that I know Rocco is hot for me too.