Chapter One - When the beautiful stranger walks in...
Layla ’s P.O.V
“Layla, we have a new start today, the one that will be taking your place when you officially become the bar manager, could you show him the roots please, make sure he knows everything?” my boss Cassie smiled.
“Yes, sure thing, what is he like?” I asked, “Please tell me he isn’t an asshole like that other one you hired.” I added laughing.
“He seems nice enough and he is sure gonna be a hit with the customers that is sure, he is very charming and handsome, not to the extent of arrogant though.” She laughed.
“You know me if he is arrogant, I will not hesitate to tell him,” I said
“I know you won’t, but please be nice to him OK?” She laughed
“I am always nice,” I said sweetly.
Cassie shook her head, laughing before going back to her office. I was a nice person, just don’t take anyone’s crap. My mama raised me to be tough and stand up for myself. I had worked here for three years, Cassie promoting me to bar manager cause she was opening another place and needed to concentrate on that. I was excited about the promotion, plus the extra money would help too. My boyfriend and I were saving for a new place, the one we had was not the best, but it had done us for the last year until we can afford something more.
We were currently closed, not opening for another couple of hours for the lunch rush, that is why we were here getting things organised, we always got busy at lunchtime.
“Hello, sorry for bothering you but I am looking for Cassie?” I hear a male voice say, making me lookup.
My eyes went wide when I saw who was standing in front of me. Oh wow! Who is this beautiful man? He was gorgeous. He had dark hair, that was slightly long but not too long, his eyes a gorgeous brown colour, his skin tanned, standing close to six feet if I was too guess and a body you could tell he looked after. The tattoos on his arms also caught my eye. I could feel my cheeks heat just by looking at him. He chuckled and I pulled myself together, reminding myself I had a man at home.
“Hello, I am Layla, the soon to be bar manager, you are?” I said getting a grip of myself.
“Hey, I am Miles, I am the new start.” He smiled.
“Oh yes, Cassie said you were coming in today. Her office is through there, just go and knock on the door.” I smiled
“Ok, thank you gorgeous.” He smiled before heading towards the office.
Did he just call me gorgeous? I watched after him. He had a very nice ass on him too. I know I shouldn’t be looking at him like this since I have a boyfriend, but I couldn’t help myself. I can look, as long as I don’t touch.
I pulled myself together, I was a grown-ass woman I shouldn’t be going on like this, the last man to make me like this was boyfriend when we first met three years ago. No, that excitement isn’t as strong as it was back when we got together but we still loved each other. Even with the passion, not the way it once was, we were comfortable together…maybe too comfortable but it worked. I got all the tables, menus and everything else I needed set up for lunch, making sure I had enough products behind the bar.
“Layla, can you come to my office please?” Cassie said.
I stopped what I was doing, heading to her office. As soon as I walked in Miles looked up at me, smirking. I gave him a soft smile before pulling my attention away from him, sitting on the seat next to him.
“Miles said you already met?” Cassie said and I nodded “That is good then cause he is starting today; he will be on the lunch shift with you and then tonight too.” She added
“Ok, that is fine with me as long as he isn’t useless.” I laughed
“I can promise you I am not useless.” He chuckled
“We will see…” I said looking at him, smirking.
Cassie sat at her desk, looking between us, laughing and shaking her head.
“Something tells me you two are going to get on absolutely fine.” She laughed
“Ask me that tomorrow and we will find out.” I laughed
“Ok, now the two of you get to work, we will be opening soon.” She smiled shooing us away.
We nodded, both of us heading out to make sure everything was ready for lunch. I showed him the ropes, showed him where everything was. I headed over to the till, giving him a demonstration on how it works, it is easy enough, but we still need to show new starts.
“Looks easy enough.” He said from behind me, close enough I could feel his warm breath on the skin of my neck, a feeling that made me shiver slightly.
Was there any need for him to be as close? He smelt good too which was not helping me in the slightest.
“Ok, then show me,” I said quickly before pulling away, putting a space between us.
He smirked, chuckled and nodding doing as I asked him. He done is perfectly fine with no bother.
“What next?” he asked
“I think that is everything, you ready for this. The lunch rush in here is always very busy.” I said
“I can handle it…” he said confidently
I really hope cause I am not picking up his slack. I have enough to do without doing his job for him too but I knew he was gonna be a hit with the ladies and the gay guys that came in. They will be gushing over him in no time.
“You better cause I am not picking up your slack.” I laughed
“Have a little faith beautiful.” He winked.
“My name is Layla, don’t think my boyfriend would appreciate some other guy calling his girlfriend beautiful and gorgeous,” I said
He stepped in closer to me, his hand on my arm and he reached into my ear,
“I don’t care what your boyfriend thinks. How will he know what I am calling you unless you tell him?” he whispered pulling away, walking away from me.
What is this guys deal? Why is he flirting with me? I have not given him any reason to think that is what I want, have I? I hope not, just hoping he isn’t going to cause me any trouble. Yes, he is gorgeous and charming in a way but that doesn’t mean I am gonna like him flirting with me. I am not the sort of girl to cheat or flirt with other men when I have a boyfriend even though it has been a while since I have had the sort of attention Miles is given to me. As I said my boyfriend and I are very comfortable with each other, we don’t really do much of the flirting and teasing but that worked for us. We still made love a couple of times a week but our first year together it was every day, more than once but we have just gotten that busy with life, these things happen.
“We should open now,” I said quickly going to unlock the door.
I could feel Miles eyes on me as I walked away. I ignored him. I am not letting him get to me, not happening. I would be glad when this shift was over and I could get home and away from him. I think it is best I keep to myself what happened today, my boyfriend doesn’t need to know even though I have done nothing wrong, no point causing drama