Chapter 4

At exactly 9:30 am the next morning I walked into

The Busy Bean with determination that today I was going to find the perfect guy. I woke up early this morning with a better attitude and I took that to mean today was the day.

Not seeing Leah yet, I made my way to the counter and ordered a much needed Hazelnut Latte and a muffin before finding an empty booth. It was extremely cold outside which made my body crave the warm coffee. The cafe was slightly busy as it normally was on a Saturday morning. This was a popular spot for locals to come and get great coffee and good food.

Right as my coffee and muffin were placed on the table, Leah along with Oliver walked through the doors. Oliver spotted me first since he stood at 6'2 and could easily see above everyone in the cafe.

"So another date, huh?" Oliver asked, standing in front of the table as Leah slid in first.

"Yeah some guy named Knox Mikelson. He was very vague in his email." I spoke over my coffee mug, the warmth seeping into my hands. Across from me Leah was decked out in a huge jacket and a scarf that covered half of her face.

I found myself smiling at the grumpy look on her face as she pulled off her gloves. I could tell it was too early for her on a Saturday to be up.

"Coffee and a muffin babe?" Oliver asked and merely got a nod. He just smiled down at his girlfriend before heading to the counter. The two of us knew Leah was worthless until she got a cup of coffee in her system.

I smiled into my coffee as Leah sat there not saying a word. Yet another thing that differed between us, I was more of a morning person while Leah was not. She purposely told her clients to get married in the afternoon instead of the morning. As a wedding photographer Leah had to be there hours before the event to get stuff ready so if it was in the mornings she was not a happy camper.

The moment Oliver came back with their coffee's Leah perked up. He didn't even set it down before she latched onto it and took a big sip. The coffee could be pipping hot and Leah would still gulp it down like water. Oliver chuckled at her as he took a seat, holding his own mug between his hands.

Thank god the cafe was warm enough that my shivers had subsided. While I loved this time of year I hated the cold weather. The only thing was we always got snowy Christmas's at least.

"So this new guy." Leah finally spoke. I knew she hadn't heard a single word I said a moment ago.

"His name is Knox Mikelson. He's 28 and has light brown hair. He apparently owns a hardware store in town but that is all I got from him. He was very vague." I scrunched up my face as I thought about it. Him being so vague was sending warning signals to my brain.

"That names seems slightly familiar." She mused. Beside her Oliver nodding as well, looking slightly confused by the name.

"He said he'll be here at 10 which is," I glanced down at my phone, "in five minutes." I spoke out loud.

"I hope he isn't lying and isn't really some old guy like the other day." Oliver joked, which made me roll my eyes but I inwardly agreed with him.

"And if he isn't the right one?" Leah asked, snuggling into Oliver's side. Tapping my finger on the brim of my mug I shrugged.

"Then I'll have to just bare the comments on christmas." I tried to play it off like I didn't care but judging by the look on Leah's face she knew I was lying.

We fell into silence after that. All three of us sipping on our warm coffees as we waited for this Knox guy. I scrolled through my social media to kill time while Leah and Oliver talked quietly to each other.

Exactly five minutes later Leah spoke up.

"Aub?"

"Yeah?" I asked not even glancing up.

"What did this guy say he was wearing?"

"A black and white plaid shirt. Why?"

"Uh I think that's him." My head jerked up instantly, quickly glancing around for who she was talking about. It took a moment before my eyes landed on the guy wearing the black and white plaid shirt. All I could see was the side of his face but damn. Just the side view was enough to let me know he wasn't a 60 year old guy. No he was young but definitely older than I was and very, very attractive.

"Well what are you waiting for? Go say hi!"

"Uh..." I trailed off needing a moment. None of the guys I have met before today have been anywhere close to as good looking as he was. Some weren't ugly by any means but if the side view of this guy was good enough to be a model I can't imagine seeing his full face is like.

You can do this Aubrey. Its just a business transaction. You are paying him to be your fake boyfriend, that is all. Be professional and go say hi.

I nodded to my inner voice, probably looking like a lunatic to anyone watching me.

"Okay lets do this." I muttered to myself. I quickly stood up before I could talk myself out of it.

"Good luck." Leah said while Oliver gave me a thumbs up.

Taking a deep breath I smooth out the nonexistent wrinkles in my sweater and started for his table. For some reason every step towards him made my pulse jump and my hands got all sweaty. I haven't gotten flustered with any of the other guys, why now?!

Reaching his table I knew I couldn't just stand there like an idiot. So with a shaky breath I finally spoke.

"Hi, are you Knox Mikelson?" My voice came out all high and squeaky making me wince. When he looked up at me I could have sworn a zing went through my body. Bright green eyes, framed by the thickest lashes I've ever seen, stared up at me in confusion.

"Uh yes that is me. May I help you?" His voice was so husky and deep. I stared down at him, noticing his light brown hair was buzzed shortly at the sides of his head and the top part was longer, almost like he was trying to grow it out. He had the perfect amount of scruff on his face that made him look even more attractive than a moment ago.

Snapping out of my staring I felt myself blush. God, get it together Aubrey!

"I uh...I'm Aubrey Lynn." No recognition appeared on his face at my name making me even more flustered. "I'm the one about the ad?" I supplied. Once again the look of confusion.

"The ad?"

"Yeah in the newspaper? You emailed me yesterday about it." I snapped out of my ogling enough to be filled with my own confusion. Why didn't he remember that he talked to me last night.

"I'm sorry I think you got the wrong person." I could almost see a wall starting to come down as he spoke.

"No, you emailed me last night? Around 9 o'clock."

"Look lady I didn't email you last night." The husky tone was replaced with a cold one. His green eyes were now narrowed at me rudely. I was taken back by his tone and response. What the hell?

"I'm not mistaken I assure you."

"Yes you are. I think you better leave before I get the manager and have him escort you out." He snapped. At that my own green eyes narrowed at him, my hands coming up to my hips.

"Excuse me you can't talk to me like that. You have no right to be rude to me." I snapped back. His attractive-ness was slowly going away the longer I stood here.

"Look I didn't email you."

"Yes you did!"

"No, I did." A new voice spoke up.