6. Surprise!

Six

Surprise!

Elena

My phone chimes, waking me up. I groggily bring it to my face and see a message from Axle.

Axle

Hey Babe, I hope you had a great sleep. I'm excited to see you today

I shift and sit up.

Morning. I think you have me confused with another woman.

I'm not talking to anyone else. Are you talking to another guy?

My cheeks flush slightly, and a soft smile tugs at the corners of my lips.

No, I'm not.

I've been ignoring the requests on the dating app, and I haven't talked to anyone else apart from the people I live and work with.

Great! What time are we meeting? When's your lunch break?

He's persistent.

How do you know I'm even working?

You always seem to be working.

I need to get to know you more before I meet you.

Even though I'm curious, I'm not ready... my shy self may never be ready. I go back to the dating app again and tap on his profile. Short, thick brown hair, trimmed beard, full lips... and that jaw. He's so handsome. In his photo he's wearing a leather jacket.

After changing into my workout clothes, I pull out my yoga mat, unroll it, and begin breathing work and stretches. Then I select the yoga app on my phone and begin following the directions of the voice on the app. I should take the time before and between my shifts to explore the town. I make a mental note to start tomorrow. I need to get out of my comfort zone, even though just the thought of it makes me queasy.

When I finish doing yoga, I shower and head downstairs for breakfast. It sounds quiet again. I guess they're sleeping off their hangovers. I woke up at three to loud voices. Everyone sounded drunk, and they mentioned the word party , so I assume they had just gotten home from one.

Downstairs the girls are sitting on the couches. They're in their pajamas, huddled under blankets, their hair ruffled. I try not to laugh at them. "Big night?"

Lucy nods at me slowly. "My head hurts."

"At least you weren't up vomiting," says Lia, who appears to be a pretty shade of white.

"You should come with us next time," says Cindy.

Jasmine laughs. "She won't go to a party." Jasmine is correct.

"I seem to work the evening shifts anyway." Not that I would. So many people drunk together in a small space... no thank you . I gaze at them. They look sick, and I'd prefer not to waste a whole day being hungover.

"We'll make Cameron give you a night off," Lia replies. "How's it working with him?"

I pause. "He's friendly." I'm a little uneasy with him, but he could just be overly flirty, and that's just the way he is, while I'm socially awkward, anxious, and overthinking everything. I smooth my skirt. "I'd better get going to work. I'll see you girls later." With a round of byes, I'm out the door and off to work.

I reverse park outside. You'd think that after parking the same way every day I'd get better at it. I absolutely am not. Inside the restaurant Mel and Cameron are talking by the counter toward the back. She's straightening his shirt. He shifts his gaze from Mel to me and his face lights up. It's only me. I have no idea why he seems to get excited.

"My girl Elena," he says with a bright smile.

My shoulders stiffen at the comment. I smile at both of them, say hello, and slip through the kitchen doors. As I'm putting my bag away and getting ready for my shift, I turn to find Cameron standing behind me. I jerk back.

He grasps my upper arms. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"That's okay," I reply, though my heart thuds in my chest.

"I got a message from Lia this morning. Am I working you too hard?"

My face falls. She messaged him. "Oh no," I stumble over my words. "They said I should go to a party with them," I rush out. "I told them I work at night, but I didn't say you worked me too hard." It was my excuse to stop everyone from asking me. I didn't know it would backfire.

He laughs. "I'm joking. I'll give you this Friday off. You can come with us. The parties here are fun. You're missing out."

Dread fills me. I don't like parties, and it doesn't sit well with me. He's giving me the night off only so that I can spend it with him and his friends. I glance away and fix my ponytail. "Maybe," I say offhandedly.

When Cameron walks away, Mel comes over. "Did Cameron say you're not working Friday?" she asks quietly.

"He did."

"I love my weekends off. You can work mine if you want."

I'm looking forward to my day off. She must notice my expression because she says, "Don't worry about it."

"No, no, I'll do it." It's an excuse for not going to the party, I guess.

She smiles. "Awesome. Thanks. You don't want to go to a party with them anyway. All they do is get drunk and hook up."

That's why I don't want to go. "Can you show me around town after our shift?" If someone else shows me, then I shouldn't get lost. I'm hopeless with directions.

"I'm busy... Maybe another time?"

Disappointment hits me, but I smile anyway. "Yeah, perhaps next time." I really have to meet more people.

The lunch rush is busy. I haven't stopped. Fortunately, no glasses were shattered. I'm wiping a table when I hear the front door open. The room goes quiet.

"Oh. My. God!" Mel says in a high-pitched voice. Before I have time to look up, she rushes to my side, grabs my shoulder, and gives it a shake. "It's him!"

I frown. "Him who?"

"It's Axle!"

Suddenly, I can't breathe. I freeze as all the air is sucked out of my lungs in one big breath. How did he find me? I briefly gather courage before stealing a glance at him. He saunters in, surveys the restaurant. His face is passive until his eyes find me. A broad grin spreads across his face. With a confident stride, he approaches. My heart pounds with such force that it might crack a rib.

Axle checks me out with no subtlety whatsoever. He's wearing dark jeans, a fitted white shirt, and a vest. This is the part where I should run, but my limbs are frozen solid and my feet are bolted to the floor. Anxiety courses through my veins.

Axle stands right before me. I swallow hard and stare up at his big hazel eyes and crooked smile. I'm so small compared to him.

"Don't I get a hug?" he asks cheekily, with a raised brow. "We're good friends after all."

I'm trying to smile, but I think it might look more like a grimace. He's flirting. Eek!

He steps closer and leans in, and the scent of pine and cedar washes over me. His hot breath makes goosebumps travel up my arms. "You have no reason to fear me. I don't bite..." He pauses. "Well, I do, but only if you want me to."

A shiver rolls through me and my jaw drops, hitting the floor with a thump because... he did not just say that. "How did you find me?" I squeak, finally finding my words.

He chuckles. "It wasn't difficult."

"I'm Mel," a seductive voice comes from beside me.

I forgot she was standing there. As I look out over the restaurant, I realize that all eyes are on us, and my cheeks redden.

"Axle," he says to her with a chin lift.

I've never seen Mel smile so wide.

"I was hoping to order," he says before he glances back at me.

"We have a seat available right by the window. The best view in the restaurant," Mel's quick to respond.

"He's not staying." The words seem to fall from my mouth. I flinch. I didn't mean to say that aloud. He's caught me off guard, and I'm a blabbering mess.

He raises his brow, his smile wide. "I want to spend some time at the place you work to convince you to go out on a date with me. So, yes, I am eating in."

I shake my head and lower my voice. "No, you're not. I'm working."

"Is everything okay over here?" Cameron asks quietly. He stands to the side, alternating between looking at Axle and the floor. He seems scared of Axle. Should I be too?

"He's leaving," I say at the same time Axle says, "I'm ordering."

"This way," Mel says and ushers him toward a table. I shake my head at her. Why isn't she listening to me?

Axle says, "I want Elena as my waitress."

"Of course," Mel answers and makes her way over to me.

"I heard him," I say before she repeats what he said.

He's just like any other customer. I slowly walk over to him and put on my best customer service smile and play the part. "Are you ready to order?" I keep my tone professional.

His eyes scan me. "I would like to order," he purrs, "but I don't think what I want is on the menu."

I stare at him with bulging eyes. My face burns furiously. Oh my goodness! The confidence and cocky attitude are unlike anything I've ever had to deal with before.

He fights a smile, but his eyes are dancing with mischief. He's enjoying the effect he has on me. I have no idea what I expected, but he is tenfold the personality and I'm struggling to cope. Hell, I can barely talk. I just stare at him like an idiot.

"What do you recommend?" he asks as he glances down at the menu.

"The seafood marinara is good." But I should have answered with, "The food tastes horrible. You should leave because I'm shocked and embarrassed that you found me, and the whole restaurant is staring at us, and my boss is watching our every move." I momentarily close my eyes. I hope I don't get in trouble from my boss for Axle coming here.

Axle bops his head. "I'll have that then."

"Would you like something to drink?"

"A cola, thank you, Elena ."

I give him a tight nod and bolt through the restaurant and to the kitchen, where I give the chefs the order and take deep breaths.

"You are so lucky!" Mel says loudly.

"Shhh!" I say, not wanting the whole restaurant to hear.

"You lied to me. I thought you weren't meeting him."

"I didn't lie. I don't know how he found me. All I mentioned was that I worked at a restaurant, nothing more."

Cameron walks toward us with narrowed eyes. "What's a War Brothers Motorcycle Club member doing in my restaurant?"

"What are you talking about?" I ask. "I didn't see one."

Mel laughs. "You didn't see Axle's club vest?"

The vest. I cover my face with my hands. He's in a motorcycle club. The situation just went from bad to worse. My next thought is that he doesn't look like a scary biker. He's all charm and crooked smiles.

I drop my hands and give Mel a pointed stare. "Why didn't you tell me?" She had to have known.

She giggles. My lips press into a thin line. I'm seeing nothing funny about this.

"Do you know him?" Cameron asks accusingly.

I flinch. "I don't know him know him." I'm pretty sure that didn't make sense, but I'm going with it.

Cameron's lip curls. "Are you dating him?"

"No," I'm quick to answer.

He nods sharply at me. "Good. He's nothing but trouble. I don't want him in my restaurant again. He'll scare away our customers!"

Mel rubs Cameron's back. "It's okay. He's by himself, just having lunch."

"I don't want criminals in my restaurant," he says, then turns to me. "You should be more careful who you make friends with in this town."

When Cameron leaves, I'm left wondering why he seems to dislike Axle so much. "Is he a criminal?" I ask Mel.

She shrugs. "Not that I know of." Not quite the answer I was after. "He's a good type of trouble," she says, and winks. "And you need to take one for the team."

I stare at her confused. "Huh... what team?"

She points at each of us in turn. "We're a team. You're friends with Axle, so you can introduce me to all the members of the club. I've wanted to for years."

She's rushing things. I've only just started talking to Axle, and I literally just met him, but yes, he certainly is trouble.

I roll my shoulders back, gather myself, go to the bar, and pour him a cola. I sneak a quick glance. Yep, he's still staring at me. I gaze at him, shake my head, and deliver his drink. As I hand it to him, our fingers briefly touch, making me inhale sharply. Judging by the delight in his eyes, it was intentional.

He takes a sip, and then asks, "When does your shift finish?"

Him asking to see me outside of work makes my pulse quicken. "Why do you ask?"

"Why are you so defensive? I thought we were friends."

Is that what we are? "You turned up at my work."

"I told you I'd see you today," he teases.

"I thought you were joking!"

He tuts. "You shouldn't have assumed. Oh, I get it."

I study him, puzzled. "Get what?"

"You realized I'm a biker and you've turned all judgmental, like you said you wouldn't."

I huff. "I'm not judgmental."

He points to my face. "Your judgy eyes say different."

"I don't have judgy eyes," I say, more loudly than needed. He's really getting under my skin, and I've hardly spoken to him. I can't deny I judged him, though, as soon as I was told who he was.

"Who told you? Was it the boss who wants to bang you or the chick who wants to bang me?"

I look around. "Shhh! Keep your voice down." What he said irks me. "My boss does not want to bang me," I whisper-yell.

Axle cackles. "Trust me, he does."

I just shake my head. He's impossible.

Mel arrives at the table. "Here you go, your seafood marinara." She puts his plate in front of him, giving him a wink before she goes. She seems keen on him and the MC.

Axle digs his fork into the noodles. "I told you she wants to bang me," he says with a smirk before taking a bite.

I think he's right, which makes me wonder why Mel told me to talk to him. "She was the one who created the dating account. I wouldn't have talked to you if it wasn't for her."

With a thoughtful look, he asks, "Really? Are you free tomorrow?"

"I'm working," I say.

"What about after work?"

I bite my lip. "I'm busy."

"Yeah, you'll be busy."

I watch him curiously while he lounges in his chair.

"You'll be busy going on a date with me."

A laugh breaks out from my lips. "And if I say no?"

He shrugs. "I'll turn up here every day until you say yes." He peers over my shoulder. "Your boss isn't going to like that." He chuckles. "Though pissing him off every day will be amusing."

I know Axle will keep returning. "I don't think you're welcome back here at the restaurant."

His hazel eyes flash with amusement. "He'll never say it to my face."

I glance back at my boss, who abruptly looks away and walks back into the kitchen. I think Axle's right.

"I'll come get you. Tomorrow, before you start your lunch shift, then. Let's say nine?"

I shake my head, the collar of my shirt suddenly feeling too tight around my neck.

His eyes light up at the challenge. He leans in closer to me and looks into my eyes as he says, "Well, you better book me this table for tomorrow."

I don't have any other options. He'll keep turning up at my work. Emotions battle inside of me—excitement, anxiety, and curiosity. It's only in the morning. "I'll think about it. Now I'd better get back to work. I can't lose my job. I only just started here."

While I continue to collect plates and cutlery from other tables, I steal a brief glimpse back at him. He's still staring at me as I head into the kitchen.

After I set the plates near the sink, Mel is beside me once more. "What have you two been talking about?"

I don't have anyone else I can talk to about this. "He asked me out on a date."

She inches back. "Axle doesn't date." Her tone suggests she doesn't believe me.

"He said a date. I'm just repeating what he said."

She pouts. "Maybe he just meant spending time together."

I shrug. "Probably."

"Did you say you were going to have sex with him?"

"No!" I shriek, offended. Does she honestly believe I would pimp myself out to spend time with a guy?

She rests her hand on her hip and glances away, lost in thought. I step around her, only to be met with Cameron.

"How long's he staying for?" Cameron asks sternly.

I blink at him. What is everyone's problem? "I don't know. I gather until he's finished his meal."

"He's finished his meal, and he's asked for his waitress."

I wipe my hands on my apron. "I'll go see him now." Then I step around Cameron, feeling both his and Mel's narrowed eyes on me as I leave the kitchen. I know I'm new to the town, but their reactions have me wondering why they have such intense reactions to Axle.

"Are you finished?" I ask. Axle's plate is empty—spotless, in fact. Did he lick the bowl clean?

He slowly nods. "I am."

"The restaurant closes in the next thirty minutes." As in hint hint, nudge nudge, please don't get me into trouble with my boss.

"I'm staying until you finish."

I stare at Axle. He chuckles. "And when you start work tomorrow, I'll be here for lunch." He peers behind me. "And dinner." He inches forward, closer to me. "Every day, until you go on a date with me."

I close my eyes. I need this job. When I open them, he looks smug, like he knows he'll follow through. Any girl in my position would have already accepted.

"One date," I warn, though excitement shoots through me.

He rises to his full height, and I have to take a step back because he's so close and much taller than me. The combination of cologne and leather is divine. I peer up. He cups my chin with one hand, making me take a deep breath. "See you tomorrow, Elena ."

My knees nearly buckle at his sexy, deep tone.

As he's walking out, I realize I can't have some stranger come to my house, especially one who's in a motorcycle club. "I'll meet you here at work," I yell out in a rush of words.

He pauses and looks over his shoulder, the smug smile back in full force. "I'll pick you up from your home."

"No, I'll meet you here," I object.

"I'm picking you up from your home, end of discussion."

I open my mouth to argue.

"Uh," he says, "I know where you live."

I blink in disbelief. "How can you possibly know that?" He just met me, and I've just moved here. It's not like I have friends he could have asked.

"I have my connections," he says with a wink. He swaggers aways while I stand still, dumbfounded.

A shiver rolls through my body. What just happened? How did I end up getting conned into going on a date?

"What happened?" Mel asks.

"I'm apparently going out on a date with him."

"You sure he said the word date ?"

Annoyance bubbles up. "You know, you're really not helping my already low self-esteem." I take Axle's plate and walk to the kitchen, Mel following close behind.

"Sorry, the Axle I've heard about is different from the one I've seen today." She places her hand on my arm. "Good for you, getting out there and meeting new people."

I flash her a faint smile, even though I'm terrified about tomorrow.

After our shift, we step out of the restaurant and go our separate ways. "Good luck for tomorrow," Mel calls out over her shoulder.

I'll need it!

I drive the short distance home and park outside. When I get into my room, I call my parents, needing to hear a familiar voice.

"Hello," my mother answers.

"Hey, Mom."

"Oh, so you haven't forgotten about us?"

They could have called me to check how I was, but I dismiss it. "I thought you'd like to know I've settled in well. The people I live with are?—"

"I still can't believe you live with random people. I bet they're doing drugs and drinking, and God knows what else. Are you drinking?"

It's not like I could afford to rent a house here by myself. Sharing a house was my only option. "No, they aren't doing drugs." Well, not that I know of. "And no, I haven't been drinking. I've just been working."

"You know you act like who you hang around, so I hope you're making responsible decisions with people you meet there."

I flinch. I've always been one to believe in the good in the world. I strive to be a positive person and be kind to people who are good to me. "Everyone's been nice to me. I'm getting more comfortable in my job too. I get a view of the beach every time I'm at work."

"Oh, Elena, it's waitressing. It's not hard."

Heaviness weighs on me. There's no need to be nasty. "I'm going to bed; I've had a big day. Say hi to Dad for me."

After I finish the call, I grab a grilled cheese sandwich. I'm left wondering what we'll do tomorrow. Where will Axle take me? Nine in the morning is early, so it can't be too bad... Well, I hope so, for my sake.