5

SAM

I can’t believe Phoenix is Alex Williams who owns the coffee shop where I work, and I almost burned him. I thought I lost my job, but I’m grateful that he saved me from my ex.

I’m so humiliated that he even held my hand in front of my friends. What will they think about me now? That I am flirting with the owner to keep my job?

Every time our skin touches, I always feel something—the tingle is always there, and I don’t want to let go of his hand—it just feels good to have someone holding my hand—someone like him because I feel that I can trust him—I feel safe in his arms.

“Care to explain what just happened over there?”

I ignore Big D, instead, I take my soiled apron and put it inside my bag to wash it later.

“Have you known him before, Sam? He’s our boss. He’s rich and a playboy. I don’t want you getting hurt again.”

My face heats because he’s right at some point. “I know now he’s our boss. I also know he’s rich, but I never met him before. Just last Saturday. I don’t even know he’s Mr. Williams, who owns this shop.”

He looks genuinely concerned, but he doesn’t have to tell me, and Phoenix just saved my ass and nothing more.

“I’m not blind, Sam. I saw the way he looked at you. He was even pissed when I grabbed your arm after you spilled coffee on him. Haven’t you noticed? He even threatened your ex.”

I shrug. “Then why are you still telling me all of these if I can’t change the idea in your head? What have you just witnessed doesn’t mean anything to him or to me? Maybe he doesn’t like a woman being harassed by a jerk,” I say sarcastically. “Got to go home, Big D. I’m sure your job is safe now.”

I pat his arm and head out from the locker room. I almost bump to Phoenix again.

He approaches me with all his glory. He’s smirking. God, he’s so perfectly beautiful in every way. “Ready, beautiful?”

Jeez! Does he really have to do that? My heart won’t back to a regular beating when he’s around.

“You don’t have to send me to the parking lot, Mr. Williams. It’s not even far. My ex is far long gone. Judging by the look on his face a while ago, he had no plan on coming back. Thank you for saving me over there! And I apologize for spilling coffee on your shirt.” I can still see the stain on his shirt and jeans, so I walk past him.

“Samantha, are you avoiding me because you found out I own this?” He follows me outside the shop.

“No, Mr. Williams. I’m grateful for not firing me, but it’s not right in the eyes of those people who saw us a while ago after the accident I did on you, then we were holding hands together in my work premises while you’re the boss of my boss.” I continue walking, but he grabs my hand. Again, my breathing holds.

“Samantha, just wait! Stop walking, please.” His beautiful eyebrows crease as I face him.

“Stop calling me Mr. Williams. Just call me Phoenix. I’m sorry, I thought we are friends. There’s nothing wrong with holding your hand in front of them unless you have a boyfriend who can kick my ass, or you’re ashamed of me.” He shrugs and sighs, seemingly disappointed.

“Phoenix, I’m not ashamed of you, and I can’t remember you being my friend. Since when? I thought you just saved my ass from my ex because I work for you, and I am so thankful you did that.”

He breathes hard, looking pissed. “You don’t wanna be my friend? Or is it about what Chase has told you in the locker room?”

My face burns. I swallow hard. He overheard our conversation with Big D. “You eavesdropped our conversation there?”

“Not intentional. I went there to get you, then I heard you talking with Chase. I see, he warned you to stay away from me, and that’s what you’re doing right now. Don’t you have a mind on your own to decide, Samantha? Do you just listen to those who whisper on you?”

I glare at him. He may be the owner, but he doesn’t have the right to insult me. “He doesn’t have to warn me to stay away from you. We’re not in a relationship in the first place, and we’re not friends, besides, after this, we may not meet again. I really have to go, Phoenix. Thank you again.”

I leave him alone, and I can’t face him again. I’m so ashamed of what Big D has told me, and he overheard everything. Thank, God he doesn’t follow me anymore.

***

I drive home feeling drained, and I feel sad at the same time. If he’s not my boss we can be friends, but he’s also a distraction. This attraction I have for him will just break my heart. I can’t afford to have a broken heart again. He’s a playboy and rich. He can sleep around, and I don’t do such things like that.

I arrive home to find my mom already leaving. “Oh, sweetie, what’s wrong? Who upset my girl? Who’s shin should I kick?”

I drop my bag on the couch and cower myself. “No one, Mom. It’s just...it’s been a long day. Just tired, and the shop has been busy throughout my shift. I need to sleep.”

“Okay, sweetie. Go, get some rest. Whatever is bothering you, everything will be alright. I love you so much, Sam, and I can’t stand seeing you so upset, and I know it has nothing to do with your work. I had psychology classes, remember that.” She kisses my cheek and looks at me one more time.

“Night, Sam. Lock the door, okay?”

I nod and hug her. “Okay, Mom. Take care. Love you.”

My phone buzzes.

Ugh!

Amy: I can’t believe you know hot Alex Phoenix Williams.

I roll my eyes.

Sam: We just talked, Amy. Nothing that interests you.

Amy: Sam, everything about him is interesting. Come on, spill it.

Jesus, she won’t just let it go.

Sam: Haven’t you heard him? He didn’t even know my name. It was just five minutes of talking.

Amy: A lot of things happen in five minutes, dear. I can have an orgasm in 30 sec. You’re killing me here.

Ugh! I hate her right now.

Sam: Sorry to disappoint you, Amy, but we didn’t even kiss. Now, drop it because I’m going to sleep.

Amy: But you want to kiss him, don’t you? You know, those lips can do a lot of things.

My God! Is she always thinking about sex all the time?

Sam: I don’t think like that, Amy. Now, please? Got to go.

Amy: So, you won’t mind if I’ll sleep with him?

Is she really going to sleep with Phoenix? So? But to think my friend is enjoying with Phoenix makes my chest tight.

Amy: See? You like him you, stupid girl. Admit it! He just saved your ass from your psycho ex. He even threatened Tyler and warned us to tell him if your ex will show his ass again. I’m happy for you, friend. You’ll finally get laid. You need to wax down there. I’m sure he will happy to go down on you.

Oh, my God! She’s insane! I can’t help but roll my eyes. But thinking of Phoenix going down there on me, makes me squirm and press my thighs together. Crap!

Sam: Night, Amy!

I close my phone. I don’t want her to talk about sex anymore. Sex doesn’t solve the world’s problems or even my own. It just leads me into trouble.

I take a shower and change into PJs. I’m so exhausted. My lids feel heavy after putting my head on my pillow.

Weekdays passed like a blur. I told Maya, I would be joining Amy for dinner. Amy finally stopped teasing me when I didn’t care to answer her questions.

I choose a red dress that my mom gave me last Christmas. I pair with my silver high heels sandals. I apply some mascara, a little dash of blush on, and pink lip gloss.

I go down when I hear knocks on the door after grabbing my purse and keys.

“Wow! You look hot, Sam. You’ll gonna have an orgasm tonight with Garrett’s friend.” Amy is wearing a black dress with red high heels. She looks beautiful with her curves in the right places. Just her chest size alone, men will drool over them.

“Stop talking about orgasms already and behave while we’re there. And I’m not getting an orgasm tonight. You can have whoever Garrett’s friend is.”

We arrive in front of the apartment. I was here once during Maya’s engagement party.

We get in the elevator, and I press Maya’s floor number.

“You never see Phoenix again?” Does she really have to mention him when I’m trying to forget he exists?

“Why would I see him?” I snort.

She chuckles, “Sam, you both like each other, why fight against your feelings? Why are you making it complicated?”

“First, he owns the shop—he’s our boss. Secondly, he didn’t come to see me, so why would I see him? Thirdly, we don’t like each other, so just drop it. It’s been a week, and I didn’t hear anything from him anymore.” I squeeze my eyes shut. I missed him every day—his smile, his hand, and his laugh.

Crap!

“He’ll come around, Sam, trust me. He likes you, and he admitted it to me. Maybe you say something that hurt his ego.”

I glare. “Hurt his ego? I didn’t say anything. I just said, he can’t hold my hand in front of all of you, and we’re not friends.”

Her eyes grow big. “Did you just say that to him? Are you insane? Of course, it hurts his feelings. He said to me that he likes you, and you don’t even wanna be his friend? You lucky bitch! Someone like Phoenix won’t even ask for a fuck. Women will spread their legs to get into his pants! You, on the other hand, someone like him admitted that he likes you and wants to be your friend, of course, it’s a big deal that you rejected him.”

I feel bad, yeah. Why I didn’t even think of that? Now, maybe it’s too late. His offer of friendship doesn’t stand anymore. The ship has sailed.

Amy knocks on Maya’s door. The door swings open only to see Phoenix in all his hot glory.

My heart rate raced while staring at him in awe. He’s wearing a white button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up his elbows, and dark gray pants. His hair is disheveled that makes him look yummier.

“What are you doing here, Phoenix?” I am a little bit excited to ask, but I am disappointed because he doesn’t say anything and doesn’t even react like the way he saw me before.

He just looks at me, then at Amy without expressions on his face. “Garrett invited me. Come inside. They’re both waiting.”

My chest tightens.

The Phoenix I knew a week ago suddenly change into a cold-hearted man. I just lost a chance of becoming his friend. I want to run away from this place, and I’m so embarrassed like he doesn’t even know me.

“Wow, he seems cold,” Amy mumbles.

I don’t say a word because she also notices it. I grab Amy’s hand and squeeze it. Maya emerges from the kitchen with Garrett.

“Hey, thank you both of you for coming. I don’t have any idea that Garrett’s friend is actually Phoenix. So, no need introduction, I guess,” Maya says, clasping her hands together while Garrett’s hand is on her waist.

“Yeah, thanks for having us here for dinner.” That’s all I can say because the way Phoenix welcomes us isn’t very welcoming at all, and all I want to do is to be invisible right now.

“Have a seat, girls. The food is almost ready. I’m glad to have both of you here again.” Garrett hugs both of us.

“My pleasure Garrett,” Amy says as we sit on the couch in front of Phoenix.

Phoenix remains silent like we don’t even exist. His eyes are focused on the TV with a live football game.

God, please kill me now. I actually hate being ignored.

“So, Phoenix, how did you meet Garrett?” Amy starts the conversation.

He gives Amy a stoic look. “I’ve known him since we were kids. I moved to New York after college, but he stays here. When I came back three months ago, I found him in the Gym. That’s how we met again. I’ve no idea Maya is actually his fiancée.”

Maya calls from the dining area to tell that dinner is ready. I sit beside Amy while Phoenix and Maya sit in front of me while Garrett is at Maya’s left side.

“I’m glad my friend here is back. I actually missed this idiot. He just ran away without even telling me he’s moving to New York to be with his brother,” Garrett starts a light conversation and my nerves settle a little bit. The food is delicious.

“Huh! Like you really missed me. I thought you would be happy when I’m gone. You can have all the ladies by yourself,” Phoenix says and smirks. Good Lord in heaven, he looks delicious than the food I’m eating.

“Really? Thank, God! Garrett here changed.” Her cheeks are glowing. “You, Phoenix, I’m sure still the same,” Maya retorts that making Garrett chuckle.

“Oh, you have no idea. Excuse me, girls, but why to bother a complicated relationship if there’s an easy lay,” he snorts.

Ouch! It hurts, but he’s right. I suddenly lost my appetite.

“Well, if you haven’t met the right one for you, I’m sure you can say the same, but when I met Maya, everything changed, and you’re willing to change for her. You’ll be happy and contented of just being with her,” Garrett explains and gives Maya a peck on her cheek.

“You’re whipped, Garrett. I don’t think I’ll be able to meet the right one for me. I broke my heart once, and I don’t think I wanna break it again. Once is enough,” he says dismissively.

“I know it’s hard for you, Phoenix. If you give up because of some stupid bitch who broke your heart, I can say that she didn’t deserve you, but it only means someone out there deserves you better,” Amy retorts causing everyone to be silent.

She continues, “Like Sam here, her boyfriend cheated on her a year ago, now, she finally moves on. Her jerk ex wanted her back because maybe he finally realized that he deserved someone like Sam.”

My body turns cold. I’m glaring at her right now, but she just gives me a smile.

“I’m sorry about that, Sam. I’m sure you deserve better than him. Don’t ever take that jerk back.” Maya gives me a tight smile.

“Why are we talking about my ex right now? I actually took him back.”

Maya and Amy’s mouths fall open. Garrett sags against his chair. Phoenix clenches his jaw. His nose flares and drops his cutlery that clatters against his plate, then he takes a deep breath.

“Excuse me.” He stands up causing the chair to screech.

The door slams shut causing us to startle.