by Mona Shroff
“I’m fine!” Mrs. P. insisted.
“Can you just let—” Annika looked at him.
“Daniel.”
“Daniel take a look? We don’t need our best cook injured.”
It was a grudging Mrs. P. that Daniel took a quick look at. “Did anything hit your head?” he asked as he checked her eye movements and reflexes. She shook her head. “No pain?”
“I’m fine, young man.”
Daniel nodded at her. “Let me know if that changes.”
He glanced behind Mrs. P. to find Phil checking out the damage. “Well, this is the last thing we need.”
Daniel walked past Annika to inspect the shelves.
Phil scratched his head. “Gonna have to call someone to fix up these shelves. Too much for me.”
“I can do it.” What was he saying? He shouldn’t be anywhere near Annika. Not two minutes ago, he had been on his way to bolting out the door. Daniel pulled the old shelves out of the wall with ease. “Well, my brother-in-law can. I’ll help him make up some simple shelves, and I can install them. We could probably do cabinets, there and there.” He nodded toward some cabinets that had seen better days, as well. It was like he was programmed to hurt himself and couldn’t stop talking.
“Seriously? You can do that?” Phil raised his eyebrows.
Say no. Say no. He caught Annika gaping at him, and it sent a thrill through him. “Sure.” Daniel shrugged.
“I didn’t catch your name, young man.” Phil turned his gruff voice toward Daniel with new interest.
“Oh.” Daniel extended his hand to Phil. “It’s Daniel, sir. Daniel Bliant.”
“All right, then, son, you’re hired.” Phil clapped him on the back.
“I can give you an estimate, so you’ll know what to expect.”
“Why? You planning on cheating me?”
“Uh, no, sir.”
“Then we’re fine.” Phil was firm. Daniel opened his mouth to protest, but Phil cut him off. He held out his hand to Daniel. “We’ll shake on it like men, and that’ll be it.”
Daniel grinned and shook it. Clearly, there was no arguing with Phil. “Deal. I’ll give you a fair price.” How much was his peace of mind worth? Because he would have none working here, side by side with Annika.
“Damn straight you will.” Phil winked at him. He looked over at Annika and Bobby. “Who’s taking care of the customers?”
Annika and Bobby looked at each other and scrambled out to the front, but not before Annika turned and caught Daniel’s eye. Her small smile lit up her face and zinged through his body. He caught himself staring, and smiled back. She nodded and took off before Phil could say any more.
Daniel assessed the damage and started picking up the debris.
“So what’s your other job? I mean besides the helicopter?” Annika had returned.
“Uh...” He hesitated. If she found out he was a nurse practitioner in the ER, she might wonder what he knew. “I work at Hopkins.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “You’re a doctor? How do you have time for—”
“I’m a nurse practitioner.” He gave in. “Working. That’s my vice. Not the alcohol.”
Satisfied, she started to leave. She came back again. “Why are you doing all this? I mean, you don’t know any of us.”
Because he’d thought of nothing else but her for the past five months. Not to mention that he apparently enjoyed torturing himself.
Daniel shrugged. “I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. Besides, I’m pretty good with my hands.” He cringed. Did he just flirt with her?
She flushed, but did not break eye contact. “Well, I guess we’ll have to see about that.” She smirked and returned to her customers.
Oh, damn.
CHAPTER EIGHT
ANNIKA
AFTER SCHOOL, ANNIKA approached the bar for her shift, trying not to speed up her pace. Every day for the past three weeks, she’d found herself walking a bit faster to the bar in anticipation of seeing Daniel. At this rate, she’d be running there within the week.
Daniel had not been in last night since he’d been on the chopper, so he was probably there tonight. Why did she even know his schedule? The door jingled to announce her arrival in the quiet bar, and sure enough, a familiar and quite muscular back was sitting in her section at the end of the bar. Daniel turned on his bar stool.
Annika swallowed hard. He really was magnificent. His green-gray T-shirt fit tight across his broad shoulders and muscular chest. Biceps bulged from the shirtsleeves, leading to strong forearms and hands. He held his bourbon and raised it to her, a smile playing at his ever-so-full and kissable lips. Even from where she stood frozen and taking in his beauty, she saw the amusement in those knee-melting green eyes. Kissable? Where did that come from?
She forced her feet to move at a normal, casual pace, convinced that if she walked as fast as she really wanted to, he’d see her attraction to him. Because of course the silly grin on her face revealed nothing. If Naya were here, she’d roll her eyes.
Danger. Danger. A voice that sounded like her mother—complete with Indian accent—came from the back of her head. Though, truth be told, it was hard to hear that voice over the hammering of her heart. Honestly, it was like she was in high school. It had been getting worse over the past few weeks since Daniel was at the bar most days, helping Phil get the kitchen back in order.
“How was class today?” Daniel called out to her as she passed him on her way to the back. She grinned, strangely comforted by the fact that he asked that question every day without fail. His lips would tighten almost imperceptibly, and he didn’t quite make eye contact, betraying to her that it cost him something to ask it. While she was sure it made him sad, she had no idea why. Today, his eyelid twitched as he asked, “Has Mitch found his voice yet?”
Annika shook her head. Mitch was a young five, having just made the age cutoff date for the class. But he didn’t speak. He managed to interact with the other children without needing to be verbal, but his mother was concerned he wasn’t socializing well. While Mitch’s father chose not to speak to Annika at all in the rare instance he did pickup or drop-off, his mother did speak to her, possibly only for Mitch’s sake.
From those interactions, Annika learned that Mitch spoke at home and for his speech therapist, but Annika had yet to hear his voice. Even with the special education department and the school counselor in communication with the parents, they were having a hard time figuring out what was happening. In a moment of frustration, she had spoken to Daniel about it. Mitch was her student, and she was moved to find a way to help him.
“Not yet, and the other kids are picking up on it. They interact with him less and less.” She informed him over her shoulder as she continued back to the kitchen and removed her coat.
“What about the parents?”
Annika hadn’t shared with Daniel what Mitch’s father had said to her, and she didn’t feel the need to do so now.
“The mom tells me what goes on at home. We’re working together on trying to figure out what’s going on.” She dropped her backpack and surveyed the kitchen. New cabinets, a fine stainless-steel countertop below them and gorgeous shelves made up the new and improved kitchen. It looked done. Her heart sank a bit. “Wow!” She forced some excitement into her voice as she called out to the front. “You finished.”
“Well, just about.” His voice was almost in her ear.
She started. She hadn’t heard him come up behind her. Despite the heat coming off his body, she was suddenly frozen and at a loss for words.
“I just need to get a few knobs, and we’re all set back here.” Daniel walked past her, a grin playing at his mouth.
His subtle earthy scent did nothing to slow her heartbeat. This was not good. She couldn’t possibly have feelings for him. It was a physical reaction. He was u
ndoubtedly hot, that was all it was. Because there was no way her parents would go for a guy who was a nurse practitioner. Not when Sajan was a surgeon. Not when the last guy she chose on her own had been such an asshole.
“Then I guess you won’t be coming back.” She tried to keep the sadness from her voice as she looked up at him. She failed.
He stepped close enough that his body—that very fine body—blocked out her view of everything else, and his scent surrounded her. She could get lost here. He smiled down at her, his eyes never leaving hers. “Well, I’m addicted to Mrs. P.’s cooking. And I do need somewhere to stare at my bourbon.”
In an instant she had visions of Daniel continuing to come to the bar, of talking to him daily, as she’d quickly gotten used to. Of doing more than talking... She quickly squashed the thrill of excitement that flashed through her body at the idea that Daniel didn’t want to go elsewhere to stare at a drink. That he wanted to come here. To see her. Really, she should not be entertaining fantasies of Daniel—of any kind. It was better if he didn’t return to the bar. He had complicated written all over him and his mysterious bourbon. She did not need that.
Being close enough to be enveloped in his body heat wasn’t helping. “Sure. Whatever.” As if to compensate for her wayward thoughts, her attempt at nonchalance came out as complete indifference.
His eyes darkened below a briefly furrowed brow. He opened his mouth to speak, but Annika interrupted him. “I mean, it’s your bourbon. Go wherever you like.” Now she sounded downright mean.
He frowned as if hurt or disappointed. Time to get away before she did something she would regret further. Like take it all back and fall into his arms.
He shook his head at her. “Annika...” His phone rang out the tune of the Harry Potter theme. Even Annika knew that was his sister.
She stepped back from him. “You should take that.” She grabbed her apron and headed out into the bar so he could talk.
She heard his footsteps as he followed her out.
It wasn’t that Annika was eavesdropping. But Daniel took his calls at the bar and didn’t make any attempt at hiding his conversation. So, she was bound to hear some stuff. Though she hardly liked to admit it, she was curious about the rest of his life. Especially about that bourbon. Now she’d probably never find out.
It was just the beginning of happy hour. She was listening to his end of a conversation with his sister, Emma, when the door jingled, and her heart lightened.
Nilay entered the bar as if he entered bars all the time. He carried a brown paper bag that Annika knew had food from home.
She looked behind him, ready to tense at the sight of her father, but no one was there. “Did you drive here yourself?” She grinned. Her baby brother had a driver’s license.
He leaned over and gave her a hug as he placed a shopping bag on top of the bar. “Yes, Didi, I did.” He beamed. “And I passed Papa’s test, too, which means I can drive anywhere!”
Her father strongly believed that the MVA test was not enough, so he’d given them both an extra “driving test” when they were learning how to drive. Once they passed his test, he let them have the freedom they wanted. As a result, Annika, and now her brother, were both excellent drivers.
“Nice!” Annika high-fived her brother. “Did he do the ‘squirrel’ thing?”
Nilay shook his head, rolling his eyes. “Every chance he got.”
“Something smells amazing!” Daniel tapped his phone off and came and sat in her section, near Nilay.
Nilay just stared at him, before turning to Annika, with a Who is this guy? look on his face.
“Daniel Bliant.” Daniel extended his hand to Nilay. Nilay just stared at it.
“Nilay, Daniel’s a...friend of mine.” She widened her eyes at him to prompt some manners.
Nilay smiled as he got the hint and shook Daniel’s hand. “Nilay Mehta. I’m her brother.”
Annika moved the bag to her side of the bar, and the aroma of garlic, onions and garam masala wafted by. “My mom sent food from home.” Annika indicated the bag.
“Takes me back.” Daniel raised his eyebrows at her. He turned to Nilay. “What’s the squirrel thing?”
Nilay and Annika stared at him. Annika pursed her lips as Daniel flushed. “What?” He looked from one sibling to the other as if he’d been caught doing something wrong. “You weren’t whispering.”
“Uh-huh.” Annika nodded at him, though she knew she was just as guilty of listening to his conversations.
He leaned toward her, and Annika’s stomach did a flip at the intimate tease in his voice. “I know you listen when I talk to Emma.”
She froze. Busted.
Daniel grinned and sat back from her, triumph all over his face.
Nilay narrowed his eyes at his sister. “What’s going on here?”
“Nothing.” Annika was quick to answer but did not look at Daniel. “Nothing at all. Why don’t you explain the squirrel thing to Daniel, and I’ll go get you both some food.”
“Ooh! Did Mrs. P. make that soup?” Nilay called as she walked to the kitchen. She heard him start the explanation, just as she entered the kitchen.
The soup was hot and fresh, and Nilay dived into it as soon as she placed it in front of him.
Daniel thanked her, letting his gaze rest on her a moment longer than necessary, making her wonder if their earlier conversation was still on his mind. She turned away from him and watched her brother eat as if he hadn’t eaten in days, throwing her a cursory “Thanks, Didi.”
“Little brothers.” Annika mumbled under her breath as she rolled her eyes at Nilay again.
“Guess I’ll have to remember to be nicer to my older sister.” Daniel smiled all the way out to both dimples, and Annika found her knees were suddenly made of jelly.
She filed away the knowledge that Daniel’s sister was older. “See that you do,” she somehow managed, before leaving to tend to other customers.
Nilay and Daniel continued to chat amiably about driving and food, while enjoying their snack. Watching them gave her a warm feeling in her chest that she had long since forgotten. She forgot that she was trying to not like Daniel and was lost in that stolen moment of happiness when the door jingled and a familiar blond head reared in.
The blood drained from her head. He looked the same. No less than five women of varying ages turned to watch him walk in, expensive suit fitting like a glove, lopsided grin plastered to his face. He was aware of every eye.
Steven.
When they were together, he had never come down to the bar to see her or even have a meal, but now here he was. Walking like he owned the room, soaking up every last bit of female attention.
He was with a few of his colleagues from work. Before she could move toward the door to make him leave, he and his friends entered and sat down at Bobby’s end of the bar. She froze. Her sudden stop caught Nilay’s eye, and it took him only a moment to follow her gaze and absorb what was happening. Before she could say anything, Nilay bolted up and out of his stool toward them. Annika recovered control over her body and followed him, trying to stop what she knew would not end well for anyone. In her periphery, she caught a surprised Daniel turning and walking toward Nilay.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Nilay demanded.
Nilay had seen through Steven the first time they’d met. Annika had blown off her brother’s concerns as childish, but she wouldn’t ever make that mistake again. She came around and stood in front of her brother to face Steven.
“Leave, Steven.” Annika gritted her teeth in an attempt to not empty her stomach right there and then. How she was not screaming at the top of her lungs, she had no idea.
Steven was completely stunned, clearly having no idea what bar he had walked into. But in true Steven style, he quickly assessed the situation and recovered.
“Hey, kid.” H
e swept his gaze past Annika to Nilay.
“Don’t you hey, kid me.”
Annika felt Nilay try to push past her. She held her ground. “Just leave, Steven.”
Steven nodded, blue eyes finally resting on Annika. “How have you been?”
Annika paused, seeing something there she hadn’t expected to see.
“How has she been?” Nilay was almost shouting. “How has she been? Are you crazy? You, of all people, do not get to ask that. Now leave! Before I make you.” With that, Nilay was able to push past his sister, so he was toe-to-toe with Steven.
Steven chuckled. “You’re going to make me?”
At sixteen, Nilay was taller than Annika, but he was skin and bones. He was forever lifting weights and drinking protein smoothies to “bulk up,” but it hadn’t taken yet. Next to Steven’s tall, muscular build, Nilay looked even more like a kid. Nilay did not seem perturbed by the fact that Steven towered a good six inches over him. Not to mention that Steven probably also had a good twenty pounds of pure muscle that Nilay did not. He glared at Steven as if warning him that his death was impending.
Steven inhaled and exhaled with exaggeration. “Listen, kid. I didn’t even know she worked here.”
Nilay stepped up closer, almost in Steven’s face. “Fine. You’re forgiven for entering. Now leave.”
“Nilay, it’s fine.” Customers were starting to notice. The last thing Annika wanted was trouble for Phil. “I can handle this.” She noted some movement from Daniel in her periphery.
Nilay addressed Annika, his eyes never leaving Steven. “I know you can. But if I had done my job as a brother before, this asshole never would have had a chance to hurt you.”
Steven’s blue eyes turned to ice. “Who the hell are you calling an asshole?” He put his hand on Nilay’s chest and shoved him.
Nilay lost his balance and fell back into Annika. Annika also lost her balance and fell back into the closest table. While the table had been vacated, she hadn’t had a chance to clean it off. She tried to use the table to regain her balance, but instead she and Nilay went down with the table. Wineglasses shattered, beer mugs clunked and a searing pain went up her left arm.