Of course Phoenix  is my potential boss's son. Why wouldn't he be? Insert foot in mouth. God, my life is just one big joke after another. I could just die, I felt so humiliated. It certainly made sense why he comes in here so often. He probably gets free food,  being that his mom is everyone's boss.

"I'm..I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be offensive." I tried apologizing to Jayla, but I could barely bring myself to look at her. It didn't help that Phoenix  seemed to think this was hilarious.

"Don't apologize. You're right, actually. He is a colossal prick..aren't you, son?" She winked playfully as her eyes fell to Phoenix, waiting for him to respond. I was honestly taken back by this reaction. I expected her to reach across the counter and strangle me for 'tainting the Santiago name' or something.

"I have my moments." Phoenix  admitted with a smile, and not at all looking ashamed. As he placed his hand on my hand that was resting on the counter, I glared at him. Both Chanel  and Jayla's eyes traveled down to our hands, which caused me to blush. "In my defense, blue eyes here is really fun to tease."

I snatched my hand away like his touch burned me somehow. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised he's willing to flirt with me in front of his own mother, but I was.

Jayla  laughed and shook her head at Phoenix,  who was still focused on me. "Wow, you usually don't have to try so hard. I think you might be losing your game, son. Unless this girl is just a lot smarter than the others." Phoenix actually looked embarrassed, and I quickly decided that I liked Jayla.

"So..Chanel says a lot of good things about you, Gia." Jayla  said while looking over my application. "It doesn't look like you have much experience, but that's not that surprising at your age. We can train you." I smiled, feeling slightly more optimistic about my chances. Thank God this lady seems to have a sense of humor. The way Chanel  spoke of her, I expected to meet with some kind of diner Nazi.

"I'm a really hard worker, and since it's summer my schedule is pretty open." I reassured her, Phoenix  was still staring at me and a grin spread across his face at my words, which made me look at him suspiciously.

"Your schedule is open, huh? I'll keep that in mind." I rolled my eyes and Chanel and Jayla exchanged glances again. I really wished he'd just, you know..go to hell where he belonged.

"Phoenix, I was talking to your mother. For you, consider me all booked up." I said it with as much sass as I could manage, and he bit his bottom lip..seeming to like my sass a little too much. "Can't you just..go somewhere else? You're getting on my nerves."

He pretended to look frightened, and leaned back in his chair with his hands up defensively. "Please don't hit me, again!" I closed my eyes and shook my head in frustration. Just when I thought I was in the clear, he has to be bring that up in front of his mother..who was now looking at the both of us with confusion.

"Again?" Jayla raised her eyebrows at me, seeming to expect me to elaborate further. Chanel connected her hand to her palm, before finally deciding to make an escape and go wait on the few tables that she had. I had to say, I envied her right now. 

I looked at Jayla remorsefully, but wasn't quite sure what to say or how to say it. Phoenix  just snickered, and his mother's eyes shot from me to him. "What did you do?" She asked him sternly. He looked surprised at the turn in conversation.

"Me?! What could I possibly have done?" He tried to look innocent but unfortunately for him, his mother wasn't born yesterday. In fact, so far she was proving to be very observant. "I didn't do anything, I swear! Well..not much?"  He looked like he felt awkward, knowing that it wasn't necessarily true. I couldn't tell if he actually felt bad for being so pushy, or was just afraid he just got himself in trouble with his mother. The latter was the most likely.

Jayla turned her focus back to me in annoyance, seeming to decide she wasn't going to get much from him. "What happened?" She looked genuinely concerned.

Part of me was loving seeing Phoenix potentially get in trouble, especially since he obviously was trying to get me in trouble. But then I started to feel guilty, because I still felt like the slap was a bit of an overreaction on my part..and I had yet to apologize for it.

"Honestly, Jayla?" I started as they both looked at me inquisitive. Phoenix seemed a bit nervous of what I was about to say. "I hit him last night at the bonfire, yes. I probably shouldn't have, he was just being annoying. I realize that's not an excuse, and I promise that next time, I'll just walk away. I'm sorry." I looked at Phoenix remorsefully to make sure he knew that I actually was sorry. They both seemed to be thinking about it for a long moment, longer than necessary if you ask me. I couldn't help but wonder if this was going to be a deal-breaker on this job, or make me look like I'm 'drama.'

"I'm sorry, too." Phoenix mumbled, his eyes on me. I couldn't hide the shock, my eyes wide as saucers and my mouth hung open. Even his own mother looked at him like he was a pod person. "I'm sorry you're so fun to tease, Gia Pet." He finally added with a grin on his face. Ugh, I can't believe I thought he was being sincere for a second. I hate this guy right now.

"Phoenix, I think you should go somewhere else and let me talk with Gia alone." Jayla's voice sounded serious, and I was nervous about what she was planning on saying to me. Sure, she seemed understanding enough. But this was still her son. Has he just ruined my chances at getting this job? He better pray the answer is no, or the slap last night will feel like a love tap compared to what I do next.

He rolled his eyes but did as he was told, letting himself out the front door. When I turned my attention to Jayla, she was studying me very closely. "I've never seen a girl talk that way to my son." She finally observed, though I couldn't tell if she was upset or impressed. "Usually girls your age are infatuated with him. I can't tell you how many times I've had girls come in here and drill me about my son." She rolled her eyes, like this was annoying to her. I had to admit..the thought of all the girls that are probably in love with him was annoying to me, too. Just for different reasons.

"I assure you, you don't  have to worry about that with me. Infatuated is the last word that I would use when it comes to him." I was lying through my teeth of course, but it's not like I was about to acknowledge I thought he was a man snack in front of his mother.

She laughed, and I wasn't sure if she believed me or not. "Even so, I have to be honest. I want to hire you..but I have some concerns. You see, you may not be infatuated with Phoenix..but I'm pretty sure Phoenix is infatuated with you." I couldn't stop my jaw from dropping and my face flushed a bright red. His own mother thinks he's infatuated  with me?!  

It was hard for me to picture Phoenix  'infatuated' with anyone but himself, first of all. Second, why would he be infatuated with me when he could have basically anyone he wanted? I was afraid to even let my mind entertain the idea his interest was anything deeper than him being an evil little gremlin that loved to torture the innocent..ish.

I laughed and brushed off her words, trying to sound casual. "I seriously doubt it. You heard him, didn't you? He just thinks I'm fun to tease." I pointed out, as if it was proof. She nodded, but didn't at all look convinced.

"Yeah..I'm aware that's what he said." She emphasized the word 'said,'  like there was more to it than that. "But a mother knows her son. He has a..fascination with you." I rolled my eyes, noting the way she said 'fascination' made me feel like I was some kind of freak show. Kind of like how there's people out there who are 'fascinated' with watching pimples pop. It might be interesting to them, but to the rest of the world it's pretty damn gross.

"Well, whatever the case may be it's not going to happen." I tried to reassure her, ready to move on from the subject. I thought talking about this with my own mother would be awkward, but talking about it with his was just torture.

"The point is, my son is a very persistent, charming young man. He's also in here a lot, as you can imagine." Her voice was hesitant, and I was beginning to see where she was going with this. "My concern, is that this is a place of business. If I see him disrespect you in any way I promise to correct that behavior. But I need to know that you will be able to maintain a certain amount of professionalism while you're here." She looked serious, not wearing  her 'mother' hat, but rather her 'manager' one. I nodded, understanding her point. She wanted to know that I wasn't going to slap him or cause a scene while I'm on the job. Another words, if you can't handle being around him, this might not be the job for you. I had to learn to co-exist.

"I won't bring any kind of drama to work with me, I promise. You don't have to worry." I smiled and held my chin up high, feeling determined to figure out a way to be the 'bigger person.' I really wanted this job, and I also wanted to be able to not let him get under my skin so much.

She thought for a moment, leaving me a nervous wreck. Finally she nodded, seeming to agree. A smile spread across my face, and she reached out and shook my hand. "Then, I think you just got yourself a job, Gia Asher."

I didn't get a chance to talk to Chanel  again because more customers had started  coming in and she was busy. But as I went out the door I gave her a thumbs up to let her know I was hired, and she smiled excitedly and gestured that she would call me later.

I walked out the front door and into the sun with a huge smile on my face, feeling accomplished that even with all the complications that was Phoenix Santiago, I managed to get the job. Today was Friday, so I still had the weekend to settle in before I started on Monday.

I felt on cloud nine, already spending my hard-earned wages in my head. Sure, I was getting ahead of myself. But I felt like I had made a serious step to put down roots here in Meadow Hills. Maybe if I start developing a routine..before I know it, it will start feeling like home. I was honestly really excited to tell my mother, and hoped that she had the same luck today in her job search.

The question is, what do I do now? Chanel  who is my only friend here so far is working, and I have no idea what kids do for fun around here. As I slowly started walking to my car, I realized I had nowhere to go except back home. I probably shouldn't go 'joy-riding'  in my mother's car, anyways. Don't want her having a stroke or anything, do we? 

That reminds me, that's one of the first things on my list now that I was employed. Start saving up money to buy my own car. If my mother gets a job too and her schedule interferes with mine, I'm not going to be able to borrow her car. So unless Chanel  and I have the same schedule, I'm going to have to walk to work. 

Which was annoying, but I tried to stay positive and reminded myself this was a small town. It's also summer, so the weather is nice. If I have to walk, it's not the end of the world. I can call that my exercise for the day and then I can eat an entire large pizza to myself with no guilt. I'd call that a win.

"Where to, Gia Pet?" Phoenix  came up behind me just as I was to my car and about to open the driver's door to step inside. Just like that my mood defaulted back to annoyed at the sound of his husky voice with it's usual cocky tone. I had assumed he had left, but here he was. Hanging out outside like a creeper. Was he waiting for me? There I go again, assuming this is about me. Wishful thinking perhaps, Asher?

I reluctantly turned around to face him, his usual smirk glued on his face. I narrowed my eyes in anger, making sure he knew my distaste for him. But as always, he seemed entirely chill...and entirely delicious. But moving on. "What do you want?" I glared at him, trying to remind myself that punching him out in front of my new place of employment was not a good idea.

"How'd it go? Are you hired or what?" He seemed genuinely curious, and I was already dreading having to put up with him torturing me while I'm on the job. But there was not much  I could do about it.

"Yes. No thanks to you." I said it bitterly, and he shrugged like he didn't know what I was referring to. He was always so damn nonchalant. It may seem like a weird complaint to think someone is 'too cool'  but somehow he was so cool it freaked me out. Ironic, right?

"So, when do you start?" The smile he gave me as he asked the question caused the panic to set in my heart that much deeper. I wouldn't be surprised if he showed up on Monday morning with a sleeping bag and pillow.

"None of your business." I snapped, though I knew he could very easily find out even if I refused to tell him. I was delaying the inevitable. Part of me wondered if I would ever get used to living in a small town where everyone knows everything.

He shrugged, like my answer is irrelevant. "Whatever. My mom will tell me." He chuckled to himself, seeming to think it was hilarious his mother was now my boss. If he thinks he can somehow use this to his favor, he's seriously mistaken. "Still think Chanel has bigger connections with this diner than I do?" He grinned, reminding me of my own humiliating words.

"We need to get something straight." I said sternly while folding my arms over my chest. He looked intrigued already as he listened intently. "If you think that I'm going to kiss your ass because your mother is my boss now, you've got the wrong girl. Let me be perfectly clear, I still don't like you." He laughed very loudly and I had to admit, I kind of admired the way he didn't seem to care what anyone thought about  him. Truth be told if someone makes it clear they don't like me, I have a hard time letting it go. But here he was, laughing like it was hysterical. He seemed so sure of himself, so confident. How many people can actually say that?

"So I guess that means if I asked you to spend the day with me, your answer would be no?" He asked, pressing his lips together in thought. I blinked a few times, not believing what my ears had just heard. He..actually wants to spend the day with me? Or is he just teasing again? 

"W-What? Spend the day together doing what, exactly?" I eyed him suspiciously, quite sure he meant 'spend the day'  in the backseat of his car. "Is Charlotte coming, too?"  I asked sarcastically, not being able to resist. He rolled his eyes, seeming slightly ruffled at the subject of Charlotte.

"For the last time, Charlotte is not my girlfriend..anymore." He said with an unusual edge in his voice before seeming to correct himself by going back to his usual playful tone. "So there's no need for the jealousy, blue eyes." 

Pffff. Jealous. Ha..haha..hahaha boy, you crazy! Even if he wasn't technically with her anymore, they literally just broke up. Plus from everything I've been told, they seem to have a history with breaking up and making up. Clearly if something happened between us, I would just be his rebound. Then when they ended up getting back together like they always did, I would come out looking like this moronic slut who let herself become another one of Phoenix Santiago's many conquests. Not exactly the 'fresh start' I am hoping for.

"I think I'll pass, but thanks." I said coldly and turned my back to him, trying to escape inside the non-sandalwood smelling vehicle.  He didn't say anything, much to my surprise..and for a second I thought he was actually going to let me leave with no argument. I wasn't sure if I was relieved or disappointed. 

"I'm sorry." He said finally, just as I had opened the car door. I turned around to stare at him, startled by the sincerity in his voice. I don't think I had ever heard it before, and I wasn't sure how much I should trust it. This could just be another trick.

"Sorry for what?" I asked, raising one eyebrow at him. I tried desperately to find some hint that he was kidding, but he looked sincere. He took a deep breath and suddenly acted very awkward, which was total out of character for him. I watched him in amazement, unsure until this moment he was even capable of any kind of vulnerability or insecurity.

"You were right last night, I mean..somewhat. I was using you in a way to piss off Charlotte." He admitted, sounding guilty. Even though I figured as much, it still stung a little bit to hear it. But I was too stunned he was actually apologizing to be angry. "I'm honestly just ready to just move on, but she never takes me seriously. I thought maybe if she saw me with you, she'd realize I was serious about it being over." Another words, he was just using me. That shouldn't hurt my feelings as much as it did, considering I don't even like him. I tried my best to look indifferent while I listened, but my poker face left something to be desired.

"Well, I appreciate your honesty. Don't let it happen again, and you get to live." He chuckled, though his laugh sounded a bit hesitant. I didn't even crack a smile because the truth was..I wasn't kidding.

I started to turn around to get in my car when he reached out and touched my arm, as if telling me to stop. "I wasn't really finished, is the thing." He said, his cockiness coming back in full force. I turned to him and glared at him once more, annoyed that he was basically saying 'you haven't been dismissed yet.'

"Look at me very closely, Phoenix. Look at this face." I gestured to my face like I was Vana White on 'Wheel Of Fortune,' and he had just bought a vowel. "This is the face of someone who leaves whenever she freaking wants to."

His laughter came all the way from the back of his throat, like I had just said something hilarious. Finally he looked at me up and down, his smile somehow making me nervous. "There's that sass again..mmm." He licked his lips, something in his dark eyes was wild. As much as my brain hated it, my body reacted.

"What I was trying to say, before your fine ass distracted me." He said with a wink, causing my eyes to roll in the back of my head. "Was if you think Charlotte had anything to do with why I'm interested in you, you're seriously mistaken."

Is he saying he's actually..no. He's probably just teasing me again. This is some kind of trick..that's seriously working. He took a few steps closer, causing my back to lean against the car. He rested both hands on the car on either side of me, blocking any route of escape..not that I wanted to.

"Spend the day with me. Unless you're scared." His voice was challenging, which both intrigued me and made me nervous. The truth was, I was a little scared. But I would never, ever, let him know that. Which he probably guessed as much. Damn him.

"You couldn't scare me if you tried." I lied, not breaking eye contact with him. We both stood in the parking lot with our arms folding over our chests, our faces inches away and staring each other down challenging one another.

"Yeah? Prove it, then. Leave your car here, and come with me." He smirked, his eyes still wild and intense. Going through the pros and cons in my head, the cons way outweighed the pros. Common sense and logic both told me, going anywhere with him would be a bad  idea.

"Lead the way, then." I said confidently, though inside I was screaming with panic. A grin spread across his face like he had won, and I followed him across the parking lot to his car.

What the hell am I doing?!

author's note: If you enjoyed this chapter, please don't forget to vote! :)