“The mice are back. You have to do something about them.” Sophie crossed her arms over her chest. She learned long ago that pleasantries did nothing for Mr. Cleary. He took advantage of any niceties to buy himself time.

“I haven’t noticed any mice. You sure it wasn’t your imagination?” He breathed heavily as he leaned against the door frame. A permanent sheen of perspiration always beaded upon his forehead.

“Oh I’m positive.” Sophie narrowed her eyes and tapped her foot.

“I’ll check it out,” he grunted. If Sophie wasn’t already late she would have stayed and made sure he followed through, but she had to leave for work. She knew that nothing would come of their conversation because “I’ll check it out” was Mr. Cleary’s usual response, which translated to “I’ll do nothing.” Sophie rolled her eyes as Mr. Cleary disappeared back into his apartment, slamming the door.

***

“I’m here!” Sophie called into the back room as she grabbed her apron from the wall hook.

“Your perfect record is broken, Sophie.” Sam shook his head in playful disappointment. He was tall, with a kind smile and attractive charm. Sam wore his dark hair short with a heavy five o’clock shadow covering his cheeks. He was a runner and the effects showed in his slim, toned physique. Sophie had always liked Sam’s company. He was always warm and friendly to her.

The other waitresses had always teased her about Sam’s infatuation with her; until recently she'd brushed the comments aside, thinking they were being ridiculous. Last week, however, their comments seemed less outlandish. Sophie had walked into the kitchen carrying a tray of plates and accidently walked into Sam. She luckily caught the tray before it slipped from her grasp. His hands found their way on her, helping her find her footing, but they lingered way too long for a helpful hand. The way he looked into her eyes made her breath catch in her throat. Now she wasn’t sure what to think. When it came to men, Sophie was completely unsure of herself. Since she'd been old enough to work she'd thrown herself into it. Her mission was to make enough money to pay for school so her mother didn’t have to take on a third job. She never allowed time for dating.

Sophie was never good at reading people and tended to avoid any attention that brought the possibility of something more. She didn’t have time for dating because she was focused on keeping her head out of the water. Now, when she found herself in Sam’s company she feared their relationship had changed. She no longer felt at ease in his company. She preferred keeping her head down and getting from point A to point B without any distractions. There was also the huge fact that he was her manager. Fear of the potential fallout and what that meant for her employment far outweighed anything good that could come of an intimate relationship.

Especially when she listened to the other girls speak of their numerous failed attempts at finding love. Sophie didn’t believe that two people could fall in lasting love like in all the fairytales from childhood. The only love she believed in was between a mother and child. She wished she could go back to before she knew of his attraction. It was so much simpler then. Feelings always complicated matters. She didn’t like complicated. Ugh!

“Anything wrong?” he asked with concern.

“No…I was trying to get my landlord to deal with the mice running rampant in my apartment. I’m really sorry. I lost track of time.” She gave him a tight smile, nothing too inviting.

Sam leaned in and placed his hand on her shoulder. She watched his eyes follow the touch of his hand and slowly move back to meet her gaze. “I was…”

“Oh good, Sophie, you’re here! I need a break.” Megan stomped into the kitchen, hanging her apron on the hook.

Sophie let out a relieved breath, thankful for the interruption. Sam pulled his hand away quickly. Megan raised her eyebrow toward Sophie when Sam turned to leave. Sophie only shrugged in response. She had no idea what to think of it. Sam was attractive, anyone who looked at him knew that, but Sophie couldn’t help the uneasy feeling that bloomed within her at the thought of something more between them.

“Don’t forget you promised to come out with us tonight,” Megan called as she skipped off toward the washrooms.

“Yeah, yeah.” Sophie took a deep breath and pushed through the doors out into the dining room. She forced a smile on her face and immersed herself in her job.

The restaurant was one of the busiest in town, which meant Sophie never stopped her entire shift, especially when she worked the evening rush. She liked the fast pace—time slipped away—and before long her shift would be over. The other waiters and waitresses were good company and they had all became close over the two years that she’d worked there. Many of them would get together after work, but Sophie usually passed because she was eager to get home and paint. Painting consumed much of her free time as well as her passion for reading and sewing, all of which were not conducive to a very exciting social life.

“Hottie alert.” Lori brushed past Sophie as she nodded toward one of Sophie’s tables that the hostess had seated. Sophie approached the table.

“What would you like this evening?” She smiled despite her exhaustion. Her new heels were wreaking havoc on her feet and her skirt suddenly seemed too short as one of the guys skimmed her legs with his eyes before looking up at her.

“That depends on what you are offering.” Sophie’s smile fell away when she noticed who had spoken to her.

“Seriously!” Sophie narrowed her eyes at Ashton. It irritated her how attractive he was. She tried to suppress the urge to slap his face. How can you completely adore and despise dimples at the same time? Nothing like the seduction of evil, it would be safer to throw herself off a bridge than to even admit that he affected her.

“Must be fate.” He raised his brows suggestively.

“I don’t believe in fate. What do you want to drink this evening?” She turned her attention to Ashton’s company, trying to ignore the beacon of awareness that pulled her to him like a moth to a flame.

“You don’t believe in fate and you don’t believe in love. Tell me what you do believe in, then?”

“I see you’ve already met my brother.” Sophie jumped at Megan’s unexpected arrival.

“Your brother?” Sophie tried to recover gracefully, placing a hand upon her chest to calm her beating heart.

Megan introduced the dark haired gentleman sitting beside Ashton. “Sophie, this is Jack, my older brother.” Jack winked at Sophie and his smile lit up his features as he reached across the table to shake Sophie’s hand.

“It is a pleasure, Sophie.” His gave her hand a gentle squeeze. His polite behavior was like a refreshing drink compared to the unrelenting heat that Ashton’s presence brought.

“He’s coming out with us tonight, along with the rest of these losers.” Megan teased the guys at the table. Sophie immediately saw the similarities between Megan and Jack once Megan had introduced him. They both had the same dark hair and similar eyes.

“You’re all coming out tonight?” Sophie tried to make her voice sound casual. Her gaze settled on Ashton, who was looking back at her with arrogance. “All of you?” she repeated, waiting for specific confirmation from Ashton.

“We can catch up on old times.” Ashton leaned back and looked up at her through his illegally long dark lashes. He’s a jerk. He’s a jerk. Don’t look at those eyes!

“You two know each other?” Megan raised her eyebrows, waiting for an explanation. For a moment Sophie thought she saw disappointment flash on Megan’s face.

“Yeah, we go way back.” Ashton waved his hand to dramatize his point.

“Yeah, way back to hating each other,” Sophie offered stiffly.

“Hate is such a strong word.” Ashton placed his hand on his chest in mock hurt. “I’m sure we can be civil for one night. Can’t we, Sophie?”