CHAPTER SIX - CINDY
When the prince walked into the kitchen, I figured he’d walk over and want to talk again, but instead, he stood with his friend watching me rally my team for cleaning duties.
Once the team headed off to tend to their duties, I went ahead and got with Patrick to let him know our progress. That’s when he nodded in the Prince’s direction. “Handsome prince two o’clock.”
I kept my eyes down on the counter before us. “I’m aware. What do you think he’s doing here?”
“Waiting for an apology?” Patrick said with a sarcastic tone.
“He’s the one who apologized and saved my ass. The sisters were about to fire me. It seems that Selena has a big crush on Prince Enzo, and I embarrassed her. If he hadn’t come over and set things right, I’d be on my way home already.”
“Damn, I miss all the fun. Maybe he’s got a big crush on you.”
“Are you kidding, he’s royalty. He can have any woman he wants. I’m a mess. He’s used to women whose toenail polish isn’t peeling and have shaved her legs in the past week.”
“Damn girl, too much information. I’m going to give you my spa pass for next week. Please take care of all that.” He glanced up at Enzo. “He’s damned fine, girl, but you’re a knockout. Don’t sell yourself short. Shave the legs, paint the toes. You’ll be fit for a prince.”
“I’m sure that’s not it. Maybe’s he’s waiting on Selena.” I hated to think of him with my boss. Even though Selena was barely thirty, she was about as strange as they come. Her style was so eclectic that she looked more like a little kid that tried to dress herself than an adult.
“He’s got too much style. Have you seen that suit?” He took another glance, and they were talking to one of the servers and taking a drink from her tray. Even though the server was mooning over Enzo’s handsome face, he cut his eyes to my direction. I turned my head down again.
“Oh yeah, he’s got it bad for you. He itching for your scratchin’, and he’s on his way over.” Patrick scurried away, and I turned to try and stop him as the prince approached.
I had wanted to talk to him and thank him for his help, but I hadn’t expected to have the opportunity again so soon.
“Hi.” I was at a loss for how I was supposed to greet a prince. It wasn’t like he was my ruler, but I wanted to be respectful. “I’m sorry, I know nothing about royal etiquette.”
“Please, call me Enzo, Cindy.”
“Enzo, I’m a fan of your accent.” I scolded myself internally for the stupid remark.
Fan of your accent? Geeeez, how lame!
A sly grin spread his lips, and I could imagine that he’d had more than enough compliments in his life.
“I love yours too.”
“I’m from the south. New Orleans, to be exact. I moved to New York for college and never left.” I didn’t know why I was giving him a history lesson, or why I tended to ramble in his presence. I’d never been one to be starstruck before, but somehow Enzo had a strange influence over me.
“I love New Orleans. I’ve been there a few times; charming city.”
“Yeah, so about earlier.” Going straight to business. “I’m sorry that I tossed water on you. I figured you were with the others and I was a bit stressed from the night. I’m afraid I’ve got a bit of a temper.”
“I like it. It shows you’ve got courage.”
“Some would call it ugly manners.”
His eyes burned into mine with a smoldering glare. “There’s nothing ugly about you. You had every right to stand up for yourself.” His remark took me by surprise, and so did the way he looked at me.
“Thank you. You’re not so bad, yourself.” He laughed and leaned in over the counter. His cologne was intoxicating, and his proximity made me swoon.
“How would you like to grab a cup of coffee later?”
I thought about how messy I was and realized that by the time I finished, it would be late. “It’s going to be early morning before I get out of here. Maybe around two a.m. I couldn’t ask you to wait around for me, and besides, I’m beat.” I hated to turn down the offer, but it looked like I’d have no choice.
But then he shrugged. “I’m okay with that.”
I couldn’t let him wait that long for me, especially knowing how tired I was. The fact that Selena was crushing on him was another reason I wasn’t so sure about it. If she saw us together my job could be on the line again and next time, who’s to say that the prince would save me.
“Really, I can’t.” About that time, I saw a man across the room. I’d seen him before around town taking pictures. “Do you know that man?” I nodded in his direction, and Enzo turned his head to see.
“I’m so sorry. I’ll take care of this.” He turned and headed over, and instead of the man getting scared and running away, he got more aggressive and in Enzo’s face.
“Tell me who the new love interest is, Prince Enzo. Fifteen minutes for an exclusive.” He got the words out before Patrick came around the counter across the room and put himself between them.
“Get out of my kitchen.” He put his hand in the man’s face, and another guy grabbed his phone. The guy ran after him as he opened the back door and tossed the phone out into the back alley.
“I’m sorry about that,” said Enzo. “The guy is always on me.” He turned to Patrick. “Thanks for that.”
Patrick nodded. “Anytime.” He walked back to his counter, but I knew it was only to keep an eye on me. Patrick was always very protective.
“So, how about that coffee? I really don’t mind hanging around.”
About that time, Emily came through the door and headed to the counter where Patrick was working and naturally, Selena was right behind her.
She didn’t notice us at first, but I looked up and saw her and shook my head. “I’m sure you’re used to getting your way, but you keep pushing, and you’re going to get me fired.” I nodded toward Selena, and as if the gesture caught her attention, she glanced up then did a double-take.
I turned my back and busied myself in the sink just feet away and left Enzo standing there as she crossed the room.
“Prince Enzo! I didn’t see you come back here. If had known, I’d come to see you. It’s not too late to take me up on that sit-down. We could go back out of the floor and talk until they close this place down if you like. Perhaps take a nightcap across town at my place?” I glanced over my shoulder in time to see Enzo squirm.
“That sounds like a lovely offer, but you see, I’m in town with my daughter and so I really should be getting back to see her.”
Daughter? The prince had a daughter, so what of the girl’s mother?
“I see. Another time, perhaps.” Selena’s tone was harsh, and then I heard her footsteps as she walked away in her noisy heels.
I turned to see her take her sister by the hand and lead her off into the main room and Enzo came around the counter to stand beside me. I looked up into his eyes and shook my head as a slow smile spread across my face. “You don’t give up, do you?” I let out a long breath.
“No, I don’t. May I have your number? Maybe we could get together some other time.”
“I think Selena has a crush on you. I don’t think she’d like it if we saw each other.”
“I am not interested in Selena. I’m interested in you.”
“Why is that? I mean, you’re a prince, and you can have any woman you want. Besides, you don’t even know me.”
“But I want to know you. I don’t see why that’s so hard to understand. I suppose it’s me following an instinct.” He stepped closer and put his arm on the counter beside me.
The heat between us was intense, warming me in all the right places, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me as he reached up and brushed a fallen strand of hair from my face.
His phone rang, and he let out a breath as he got a strange look on his face. “I have to take this; it’s my daughter.” He stepped back and turned toward the counter. “Hello?” He was silent for a moment. “What? Are you sure, Margarite?” His tone had me alert, and I could tell by it, and the fact that his eyes had widened and his face grew pale, that something was terribly wrong. “I’m on my way!”
He shoved the phone in his pocket. “I have to go, I’m so sorry.” He turned and ran out to the front without looking back.