by Sammi Franks
“Me?” I was surprised he asked. Not that I thought he was terribly conceited, but I had been so wrapped up in his story, I forgot about the potential of him asking about me. “My parents came here for the American Dream, and that was this café. I was born here, raised here. Didn’t expect to be running the café, but when my grandmother became sick back in India, they left me in charge.”
“We’re almost in the same boat,” Bodhi said.
“Almost,” I agreed.
Before I could say anything more, Penelope ran up, iPad in hand. “It’s time! You said remind you when it’s one thirty!” She danced around a little bit. “Come on! Isla’s going to be waiting for us,” she said. She glanced at Norah. “She’s going to do my hair. And then she’s going to let me play with hers.”
“Oh, right.” He stood quickly and nearly tripped over the chair. I had to bite my bottom lip to keep from laughing. “So tonight then? The bar?”
“Isn’t this your first official night?” I asked, standing up. I needed to get things ready for the three o’clock rush before we closed.
“Bodhi!” Penelope tugged him away from me and towards the door.
“Shouldn’t you be, I don’t know, doing bar things rather than being on a date?” Not that I wanted to call it a date. It was definitely not a date.
He gave me a charming grin and my heart skipped a beat once again. “That’s the best thing about running a business,” he said. “I can do whatever I want.”
7
Bodhi
* * *
“What was I thinking?” I grumbled as I paced around the bar’s little kitchen.
Hawk peeked in the window. “I saw her. You were thinking ‘hey she’s cute! I’d like to date her.’ Am I right?” He waggled his brows.
“You remember when you were all…” I puffed out my chest and flexed my arms. “And this?” I pushed my sunglasses on my face, set my jaw, and stared silently back at him.
He snickered. “Is that me? Are you really trying to be me?” Hawk slapped the counter. “Wait until I tell Isla.” He puffed out his chest and stood in a way only he could. I think it was the military training.
“You really have no job insecurities left, do you?” I shook my head.
With a shrug, he murmured, “Not really. No.”
“Well, you should,” I grumbled. As I leaned anxiously on the stainless steel counter, I added, “Because if this goes badly, you’re fired.”
“You serious right now, bro?” His brows rose.
I nodded then sighed and shook my head. “Once in a while, I’d like to be able to throw my weight around.”
“I can bench three hundred. I can throw you around for sure.” Hawk leaned low. “Remember that next time you want to be a dick.” He gazed at me and I recognized the pity in his eyes. “Be nice and I’ll be happy to help you.”
I blew out a breath. “Okay. I’ll be nice. I’m running out of time here. And there’s nothing to eat. Why did I think this was a good idea?” I lifted the laminated menu I had on the counter in front of me. “Norah isn’t the kind of girl I can feed chicken wings and French fries.”
“You mean she’s more of the mozzarella stick type? Got it,” Hawk teased.
“Who’s being a dick now, huh?” I glared at him.
He laughed. “So, go check the fridge. You’re all focused on the menu. You don’t even know what we have to work with.”
I frowned as I wandered over to our walk-in cooler. As soon as I pulled open the door, I grinned. Just as quickly, my joy faded away. “I can’t feed her wedding leftovers.” I shook my head adamantly. “She’s not the leftover type either.”
“Bodhi.” I could hear the strain in his voice as he tried to be patient with me. “They’re not really leftovers if she hasn’t had them before.” Hawk disappeared from the window and for a second I thought he’d completely given up on me. Then he reappeared as he entered the kitchen. He quickly yet gently pushed me out of the way. “Okay, so we’ve got some puff pastries here. We can warm them in the oven. Oh, this looks promising. Bacon wrapped scallops. Some mini quiches. Here’s some of those mini baguettes. We can whip up a salad…”
“Whip up? Warm? Who are you?” I stared at him in mock disgust.
“I’m a bachelor. We reheat everything. We cook nothing. Actually, your sister doesn’t cook either.” He chuckled.
“She doesn’t?” My brow furrowed. “I seriously remember eating some rock-hard brownies she served once.”
“Isla tries, but she shouldn’t cook.” Hawk smirked. “Anyway, you go set up the table. Go with a quiet one in the back corner. Here.” He passed me a folded tablecloth and centerpiece. Then he opened one of the stacked boxes and pulled out a couple of bottles of wine. “Now we just need to figure out dessert.”
“I saw there’s cake left.” I was actually getting excited about this. “The top layer hasn’t even been cut!”
“Dammit, Bodhi.” Hawk huffed. “Nor will it be cut until the happy couple’s one year anniversary. Max’s instructions were very explicit: save the cake at all costs.”
“So if I were to…” And I started to sneak closer to the cooler.
Hawk stepped in front of my and cracked his knuckles. “I’m allowed to maim you. He actually encouraged it. Don’t make me do it, man.”
I shrugged. “Okay. We can go with a few slices from the section that has already been sliced, I guess.”
“You’ll have to.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
“I’ll just go make up the table. Norah will be here soon.” I inhaled deeply.
“We’ve got this. I’ll handle the food.”
I stared at him a moment before the edge to his voice snapped me out of it.
“Bodhi, go on.”
“Right.” I ducked out of the kitchen and set to work on the table. By the time Norah arrived less than ten minutes later, it was ready. “Won’t you join me?” I asked as suavely as I could manage.
Her eyes widened as she surveyed the place.
“You look really nice,” I murmured nervously. “Did you do something different with your…face?”
Norah laughed. “Yes. I washed it and put makeup on it. Oh, here.” She held out her wrist. “Before you ask…perfume.”
I held her wrist in my hand and brought it up to my nose. “You smell…positively delicious.” I wanted to smack myself in the forehead. I was making a complete fool of myself over this woman.
She smiled and studied the table. “You know, you mentioned we weren’t in competition.”
“We’re not.” I sat beside her even as Hawk came toward us holding plates of food.
He set them in front of her. “Hello. Enjoy your dinner.” He bowed slightly and backed away.
Scanning the plate, Norah licked her lips as if she were carefully considering her words. “So, we’re not in competition because you’ve decided to blow my little café out of the water?”
I shook my head and sank back in the seat. “You got me. These are wedding leftovers.” I sighed. “I invited you to dinner, but I can’t cook and I couldn’t serve you bar food. You deserve to be wined and dined. You should be treated like a princess.” I glanced at her, almost afraid of her reaction. I wouldn’t be surprised if she dropped her linen napkin and strode away.
Instead, she was grinning. “Let’s eat,” she murmured.
8
Norah
* * *
The date - although I still wasn’t sure it was a date, despite the delicious food and drinks - went a lot better than I expected. I found myself laughing at Bodhi and getting more comfortable around him. I took him for a rich brat - and, to a degree, he was - but he was more than that. He was genuine and sweet and concerned. He went out of his way to make sure I had all I needed from him. And he treated me like I was some sort of princess. I didn’t think I’d had a better date in my life - dinner. Not date.
“Can I walk you to your car?” Bodhi added when we finished, standing up as I stood up.
“I know it’s Westport and nothing happens here, but I’d like to make sure you get to your car safely. That, and it gives me an excuse to be with you longer.”
I felt my cheeks turn red despite myself. “You’re incorrigible,” I murmured, grabbing my purse and sliding the strap over my shoulder.
“Why?” Bodhi asked, his voice low and husky.
I swallowed. I was not the sort of person who slept with someone I barely knew. But the way he looked at me with those dark eyes, the curve of his lips as he continued to stare at me, I felt my insides turn into mush and my resolve weakened.
“Let’s be honest with each other, Bodhi,” I murmured as I looked up at him. “We barely know each other. You seem to want something with me and whether it’s your intention or not, it seems like you’re only interested because of the way I look.”
Bodhi cracked a grin as he started to lead me out of the bar. The bitter air surprised both of us. I hadn’t anticipated the cold and my attire reflected that. Without saying a word, Bodhi wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to his body. I was surrounded by the scent of the ocean: the cool, clean, slightly salted scent. I felt my body warm under our closeness and I didn’t want to leave his hold, even if I should have. The slight breeze pushed my hair from my face and I ducked my head. I hoped he couldn’t see how happy I was. It would completely ruin my ball-buster reputation.
“You are beautiful,” he acknowledged. “But you’re sweet and you’re skilled. You’re educated. When your parents left you the café, instead of running from your problems, you embraced it. I, on the other hand, did the opposite. You are strong and resilient and successful. I’ve seen my friends and family find happiness and I’m ready to do the same.”
“Maybe you think it’s with me because I’m the first single woman you’ve seen since you’ve made that decision,” I said.
“Or maybe it’s because I genuinely like you and I want to see where this goes,” he replied.
I opened my car door and slid inside, avoiding his eyes.
“I would love the opportunity to take you on a second date,” he continued. “Come on. What do you say?”
I sighed. I should say no, but when I opened my mouth to do just that, the word wouldn’t come out. It should have been simple and easy. It should have been quick. Instead, what came out of my mouth instead was: “We should do it at the café after hours. I can show you a plethora of café food.”
He smiled so brightly I had to look away, just like I did with the sun. But my heart fluttered when he said it was a date.
The next day, it was difficult for me to focus. Each time the bell of the door jangled, my head would snap up, expecting Bodhi - even though it made no sense because it was too early for our second date and he was running a bar - and feeling surprisingly disappointed when it wasn’t him.
By the time my last customer exited the building, I had just enough time to pop two paninis in the toaster oven, change, and apply makeup. Bodhi finally appeared a few minutes after I put on ballerina flats and was sliding an earring through my earlobe.
He looked breathtaking in a leather jacket and blue jeans. His dark hair fell into his face and he was smiling. He was always so happy, it was hard to be mad at him.
I grabbed the paninis after I let him in and we both took a seat. The food was delicious, the company even better. The night was going much better than I anticipated up until there was another knock on the door. When I picked my head up to look through the glass, my heart stopped.
What was Mark doing here?
Bodhi turned in his seat to look at Mark. The minute he saw Mark, Bodhi stood to his full height and squared his shoulders. I would have rolled my eyes if I wasn’t focused on Mark and his dropping by unexpectedly.
I went to the door. I was surprised Bodhi didn’t say something terribly caveman about how I shouldn’t answer and I should let him handle it. Instead, he remained standing silently while I move to unlock the door. “What do you want?” I asked. I didn’t bother trying to be polite.
Mark tried to peek his head in but I did a decent job at preventing him from doing so. When he realized he wasn’t getting in so easily, he dropped his eyes to me.
“What are you doing in here anyway?” he asked. When his eyes landed on Bodhi, they narrowed. “Who is he and why is he with you?”
“That’s none of your business,” I told him. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” I made to close the door, but Mark put his arm up, preventing me from doing so.
“Actually, it is my business, Norah,” he said, his eyes back on me. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. Your parents sold the café. I’m assuming they didn’t tell you about it. But I bought it. Your café is mine now.”
9
Bodhi
* * *
“Please leave,” Norah urged, her voice hoarse.
I had my arms crossed over my chest, staring down her ex when I realized it was me she was speaking to. My arms dropped to my sides. “Wait. What?” I frowned. Lately, my life was making me age prematurely. At least, it felt premature. Shouldn’t I still be all carefree and wild? What the hell was happening here?
“Bodhi, I need you to go,” she whispered as she wiped at her brow.
I studied her, realized she’d broken out into a sweat. Her face had paled some and I rushed to her side, worried she might actually collapse. “Sit. Let’s talk. We’ll work it out. Whatever’s wrong, we can fix it.” I glanced at Mark and glared.
In response, he sighed. “You better go,” he grumbled. “Norah and I have plenty to talk about.”
I stiffened. Leaving them alone together seemed like a horrible idea and not just because I liked her, but also because I wanted to be the one to stay with her. He should be the one to go. I was here first, sort of. I looked down at her for confirmation this was what she really wanted. Her breathing was erratic, like she was trying not to cry, and she refused to look me in the eye. “Okay,” I whispered, hoping only she could hear. “I’ll be back tomorrow to check on you. Call me later, if you want.” Then I grabbed a pen and a napkin from her apron and scribbled my number on it. “Anytime. I mean it.”
Reluctantly, I exited the café, but once outside, I paused and stared to see what was happening between them. Mark tried to come closer to Norah after she sank into a chair, but she held her hands up and kept him at bay. Slowly, I backed away and made my way inside the bar.
“You cool, man?” Hawk asked as I passed him.
I waved, but said nothing. I didn’t know what to say. Honestly, I wasn’t cool. Life was kicking my ass. By day, I played the good uncle. At night, I ran the bar. In between, I tried to sneak in a minute with the first female to interest me in a very long time. Somehow, it all seemed to be falling apart. I’d been late to meet Isla, and my sister hates to be kept waiting. Seems to be one of the many traits she picked up from our dear father. Now this thing with Norah, whatever it was had me beyond distracted. I shook my head and tried to focus. I was managing a bar, but I’d rather be drinking in the bar. That was my go-to in the evenings and I couldn’t even do that.
Fifteen minutes later, Hawk stood in front of me at the bar. He eyed me for a minute, then set a plate of sweets in front of me. “Eat this,” he ordered.
“I’m good,” I muttered as I tried to ignore him.
He shook his head. “You’re not good. You’re miserable and you’re going to scare away all the customers. So, eat this.”
I looked up at him, fully prepared to glare and send him on his way with the plate, untouched, but there was something in his eyes. I started to open my mouth to object, but he silenced me with a look. Instead, I swallowed hard.
“Go on.” And when I didn’t move fast enough, he pushed the plate toward me and said in a low, threatening voice, “Now.”
Not one to easily give in, I began to mumble under my breath. “I have no idea why you think a plate of diabetes is going to make me happy. It’s not. Just so you know. I hate sweets…”
> “Shut the fuck up and eat. It’s impossible to be miserable with this much sugar coursing through your veins. And if you manage to find a way to still be pissy, I’ll take you out back and we can work off some steam. Got it?” Hawk leaned low on the bar and stared at me with such intensity, I could only nod.
Slowly, I nibbled at the leftover cake and some of the fancy cookies and brownies that had been on the dessert table a few days before, during the wedding. Once I managed to get a taste for them, however, I truly began to devour the sweets. “I hate you so much for this,” I announced with a grin.
“I can tell. You’ve got a little chocolate in your teeth.” He chuckled and then returned to his post, convinced his ploy had worked.
I felt guilty I could be bought so easily. Still, I was too busy serving the customers to let it bother me much. The evening was busy enough and after we finally closed, I peeked at the café, which stood dark and empty. My shoulders slumped when I scanned the area and realized her car was gone too. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I realized that she hadn’t called, even though I’d left her my number. I was officially in a funk all over again.
“Tomorrow, I’m going surfing,” I warned Hawk. “Tell Isla I’ll pick up tater tot after school. Have a nice night.” Then I reluctantly made my way back to my empty condo.
Soon after dawn broke, I was on the beach with my favorite board, determined to lose myself in riding the waves. This had always been my way to find myself. This was the reason I’d moved here. I paddled out, far from the shore, then sat and watched the waves while trying to pick the one I’d catch. I found it over the horizon, nearing me. I paddled out to meet it and soon, I’d mounted the board and was rushing toward the beach. Even though I was focused on being one with the wave, I’d felt eyes on me. After stepping off the board and hefting it under my arm as I made my way to my towel, I glanced about, half expecting to see my sister and her overbearing boyfriend. Instead, I saw Norah and the depth of the sorrow in her face messed with the mellow vibe I’d worked so hard to recover.