*☆ Boise, Idaho

✿ Aileen's POV

The city was something else. Everyone was in a hurry to get stuff done. I was in a hurry to get this meeting with Reid over and done with.

Covering my mouth with the back of my hand, I let out a long, tired yawn.

“Coffee!” my mind screams.

I look around the streets to see if I can spot a coffee shop as I wipe away the stray tears from my eyes. The moment I spot the only decent-looking coffee shop nearby, I instantly begin regretting not passing by the bakery to get some coffee for the road.

I park my jeep on the other side of the street and cross over to the shop.

There's always something embarrassing about crossing the street.

“Wow,” I let out.

Evidently, this coffee shop was everyone's favorite coffee shop, considering the queue that was out the door. But luckily, the baristas seem experienced and efficient enough to get the queue moving.

The smell of all the different mouth-watering blends hits my nose and I smile. Once in a while, it did feel good to be a customer. I deserved to treat myself a little. And I got to criticize other people's culinary skills.

While waiting for the queue to move forward, I pull out my phone from my body cross purse and dial the bakery. The phone is answered on the first ring.

“Sweets by Lee! How can I assist you?!” Jaime chirps through the phone.

I winch a little.

“Jaime, tone it down. It's too early.”

“Oh sorry, Miss Lee.”

“Where's Lyra?” I ask.

“In the bathroom. Is there something you need? Should I get her?”

“No, no Jaime” I shake my head. “I just wanted you all to know that I'll be a tad late today” I sigh, scratching my forehead.

“Okay. Would you like me to tell the rest anything else?”

“No, just about me being late.”

“I'll let them know.”

“Hey listen, Jamie. How's Gelo doing? I didn't get to check up on him before I left yesterday. How's his eye?”

“Sharp and cheeseless” she chuckles. “He's fine.”

“Good. Tell the guys I meant every word I said yesterday. If I get back and find even the tiniest of hair on that boy harmed, you're all going to go down for it.”

“Including me?”

“All of you,” I say firmly.

“I will relay the message, Miss Lee.”

I nod.

“Good. Bye now.”

“Bye, Miss Lee.”

I pull the phone away from my ear and hear Jaime shout.

“Okay, guys listen up! I just got off the phone with Miss Lee and she put me in charge so hand over the authority whisk because you're all going to be listening to me till she—”

I hang up.

That girl.

I'm putting my phone away when I notice that I'm next in line after this particularly well-dressed older man.

“I should buy Papi a new suit one of these days” I mutter and smile to myself.

The feel of the warm cup of coffee that was going to be in my hand radiating out heat, my first sip, and sighing as it ran down my throat excites me. The bell for the door tingles and I turn my head to see this man stride the length of the queue like he belonged on a catwalk.

His suit, probably Armani, fit him perfectly... (just not the Reid type of perfect), and show off his muscular physique. His Italian leather shoes slap against the tiles of the shop as he walks towards the register.

But there was something off about him. I just didn't know what. And I'm not about to care until his deep accented voice snaps me out of my thoughts, and that's when I realize, the bastard had skipped me in the queue.

“Hey, buddy!” I call out to the man. “There is a queue can't you see? You can't just cut the line!”

The people behind me grumble. This jerk of a man had just gotten between us and our espressos, and that was not a good place to be. But the man just decides to ignore me and instead, goes ahead to flirt with the barista.

The lady who looks like she wouldn't pass the chance to hop up on the table and have sex with him right now giggles like a foolish schoolgirl in love. I angrily begin to tap my foot. The man finally finishes talking to her and she scribbles her number on the back of his receipt.

I scoff as he turns around, his dark green eyes settling on mine.

“See? That wasn't so bad, now was it?”

Ugh, foreigners!

I eye him.

“Just walk away” I shake my head at him.

He steps away from the counter and I eye him again before turning my attention to the barista.

“One iced coffee with caramel and whole milk,” I tell her.

I glance at my phone to check the time when my conscience pricks me to get one for Reid.

“Can I get a large cappuccino too?”

“It's not ready” she shakes her head.

Well, I tried.

“Okay then, one coffee, black, no sugars.”

She delivers my orders shortly and I pay.

Keeping a firm hold on the cardboard tray and the coffees, I mutter out 'excuse me's' here and there, before finally being able to push past all the people crowded there.

How good is this coffee anyway?

I'm hurrying to the glass doors when my phone beeps. Too focused on balancing the coffee in one hand as I pull out my phone from my purse, I fail to see the person coming towards me and everything happens in a split second.

I bump into a hard chest and nearly bite my tongue.

“Shit, I'm so sorry. I wasn't—”

Abruptly looking at my hand, I see the cardboard tray missing one cup. Looking at the figure in front of me, I see what was once a crisp white clean shirt now smeared with a dark brown colour.

Oh no.

Cringing, I look up towards the owner of the shirt and the guilt lasts just a second.

Oh yes.

“You.”

If I cared even a little bit, his tone indicating I was in deep shit would have made me worried. But I didn't. Instead, I flash him a coy smile.

“Don't take offense buddy, I wasn't looking.”

He scowls at me.

“Of course you bloody weren't looking! It's to be expected coming from you.”

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

This jerk barely knew me and here he was trying to insult me.

Don't stoop to his level Lee. You're better than this.

I put away all the ways I can bite him and instead politely smile up at him. Grabbing the napkins that came with the coffees, I hold it out to him.

“Here.”

He scoffs.

“Like I'd accept anything from a twat like you.”

I frown and step up to him but the asshole shoulders me out of the way, spilling the hot coffee he was holding on me.

“Hey!”

“Don't take offense, buddy” he smirks and turns around to exit the shop.

“You had it coming, lady” a bystander chuckles at me.

I groan and stomp outside the shop. My blouse had a huge stain in the front and I had to be at Reid's office right this morning.

“That bastard!” I hiss.

First, he skips the queue and then spills his coffee on me.

“Who does he think he is?” I mutter angrily.

Ugh!

I look at the remaining cup of coffee as I grip the cardboard tray and of course... it had to be my coffee that was spilled.

✯✯✯✯✯✯

I angrily slam my car door shut after parking and climbing out.

Reid Dalton is just bad luck!

As usual, workers are skillfully cleaning the windows and trimming the bushes. The security guard with the German shepherd wasn't around like last time.

As soon as I step through the glass doors, the air from the air conditioners causes the stain on my blouse to go cold against my skin. Per usual, the air smells incredible.

The rude receptionist from before... what was her name... err... Freda, yes, rushes up to me with a big smile plastered on her now pimpled face.

“Welcome ma'am!” she grins. “May I take your purse?”

I swat her hand away with a frown.

“No, you may not.”

“Sorry,” she mutters.

Then light a freshly lit lightbulb, she sparks up again.

“Can I get you anything? Water? Juice? Some fruits? A neck pillow?”

A neck pillow?

Her eyes fall on the stain in my blouse.

“Your shirt...”

“Yes, I can see it too.”

She smiles wider.

“I know a great way to get the stains out, ma'am. All you'll need is—”

“Thank you. But you'd be more helpful if you could just tell me if Mr. Dalton is in.”

“Yes of course. He's in. Right in his office.”

I nod.

“Thank you.”

“W-Would you like me to escort you, ma'am?”

“I can manage fine.”

“Okay. But if you need anything at all, ma'am, please let me know. I'll be more than pleased to help you.”

I nod again.

“Thank you, Freda.”

“You remember my name?” she chirps, bouncing a little as she clasps her hands tightly together underneath her chin.

“You called me a gold digger. How could I forget?”

Her excitement quickly deflates and she steps out of my way to let me pass. Thankfully I remember the route to Reid's office. From his glass walls, I see him seated at his desk with his eyes glued to his laptop's screen. The moment I knock and step in through the large wooden door, he stands up.

“Hey, you came” he smiles.

“Of course I did. I said I would” I reply, not smiling back.

His eyes spot my clearly visible stain and he arches a brow at me.

“Is it raining coffee out there today?” he chuckles.

“No. Some idiot spilled hot coffee all over me” I frown. “When all I was doing was just trying to get some caffeine into my system.”

He gestures to the coffee in my hand and I shake my head.

“This one's yours. The idiot spilled mine” I sigh, sliding the tray onto his desk.

“I thought you said he spilled his coffee on you?” Reid asks.

“He did. But I spilled mine on him too so” I shrug.

“First? Or as payback?” he chuckles.

I frown.

“Forget it. Guy's an asshole.”

“You got a name?” he asks playfully. “If yes, tell me. I'll hunt him down and make him pay for ruining my sweet, sweet fiancée's outfit.”

I roll my eyes, suppressing a tiny smile.

“Just drink your bitter coffee and tell me what I'm here for.”

“You got me bitter coffee?” he gasps dramatically.

“Cappuccino wasn't ready.”

Reid smiles softly at me before picking up the cup of coffee. He takes a whiff and then a sip, before he smiles.

“Dark and bitter like my soul” he smirks.

“I aim to please” I smirk back.

He laughs and puts the cup back down. My skin begins to feel irritated and I pout.

“You know...” Reid steps away from his desk, “... you could always take a shower here.”

I look up from my blouse.

“You want me to take a shower here?” I narrow my eyes.

He nods and then chuckles.

“Upstairs” he points.

I follow his finger and look up.

“I could lend you my shirt... and you wouldn't have to worry about returning it.”

I look at him.

“Why do you have a shower upstairs in your office?” I ask.

“It's a bedroom” he wiggles his eyebrows at me.

Even worse.

“Why do you have a bedroom in your office?”

He smiles and folds his arms.

“For went I work late nights, or early mornings... when the meetings start ridiculously early. Or for all-nighters.”

I arch an amused brow at him.

“You pull all-nighters? What is this, college?”

He chuckles.

“When I have deadlines to meet, yes.”

“Hmm,” I hum.

“So? Would you like to take a shower?” he smirks.

I chortle. How many girls did he invite over to take showers in his office? And the activities he'd probably engaged in with those girls on the bed, I could only imagine.

“Why would I—”

But the door to his office opens and Reid grins at whoever it is.

“Perfect timing bro!” he cheers and steps away from me.

I roll my eyes, my back still to whoever it was. Till the person speaks up.

“I know right? I was just about to head on home when my boy Hernan informed me that the person who's made headlines everywhere, is here” he chuckles.

Oh, you have got to be kidding me!

“So, who's the special lady?”

I whirl around and it's a good thing I already had my frown on. He stares back, equally stunned.

“You” I narrow my eyes at him.

Reid glances in between us.

“You've met?” he asks.

“Unfortunately” I eye the guy.

“Ben, this is a mix-up right?” the jerk asks cheekily, raising his eyebrows at me.

Reid shakes his head.

“No. Where'd you two meet?”

“Take a guess” I eye the man.

He bore his white teeth at me with a wide grin, contrasting against his golden complexion, and his black hair was styled high.

“The crazy lady who ruined my suit.”

“The asshole who cut the line.”

Reid chuckles softly and moves closer to me.

“Since we've gotten first impressions out of the way, babe, meet my cousin...”

“Brother” the guy interrupts with a smirk.

Reid just smiles.

“Clayton Rodgers.”

Clayton steps closer to me.

“And Clay, this is my fiancée, Aileen.”

“You're seriously Ben's fiancée?” Clayton repeats, his eyebrows going up even further.

I flash him a sharp smile.

“Yes, I am.”

“Wow,” he chortles. “Wow, wow, wow. Never thought this day would come. How did you guys meet? A bar? Through a business partner? Don’t tell me a book club.”

Reid clears his throat, his smile still intact.

“Clay.”

It comes out laced with a warning and his cousin laughs and then spreads his arms.

“Alright, alright. I'll stop. How about I make up for being an asshole by buying you a coffee, Aileen?”

The way my name comes out of his mouth fills me with nothing but dread. There was definitely something off about him.

“It's the least I can do since you have to put up with this guy constantly.”

Clayton's features were harsh and angular, and although he also had Reid's emerald eyes, he had none of the good looks. His stare was icy and when his face contorted into a scowl earlier, he looked dangerous.

I blink and shake my head.

“Thanks but no.”

He chuckles and puts his arms down.

“Of course, a cup of coffee isn't going to make up for that terrible first impression.”

“Mm,” I hum.

“So you're the woman who's been driving my aunt crazy?” Clayton asks.

“Oh, you know how dramatic mom can be” Reid chuckles and takes my hand in his, lacing our fingers together. “And I'm the only one she drives crazy” he whispers, pressing a kiss to the back of my hand.

A small smile creeps up my face and I feel my cheeks heat up.

“Stop” I whisper, trying not to smile wider.

“You two are just so... cute,” Clayton says.

I look away from Reid and at his cousin. Something was just not working here.

“So about that shower...” Reid smirks at me.

I'm about to ask him to forget it when a knock interrupts me. I look at the door as a small woman with glasses and short hair walks in.

“Pardon my interruption, Mr. Dalton but the people from the Renaissance Fair are on the phone.”

“Where's Hernan?” Reid asks.

Clayton shifts his gaze away from the woman and at me.

What's he looking at?

“Mr. Nielsen is on the phone with them but they're asking specifically for you, sir.”

Reid sighs.

“Okay. You may go now, Sloane. Thank you.”

The woman remains put.

“H-He... asked me not to come back without you” she stammers a little.

Reid rolls his eyes. Clayton's gaze was still fixed firmly on me.

“Sloane—”

“Hey, just go” I whisper to Reid, cutting him off.

Clayton finally looks away as Reid turns his attention to me.

“Are you sure? It could take a while.”

I shake my head.

“I'll wait” I smile a little.

Reid smiles back and nods.

“Don't worry, Ben. I'll keep her company till you get back” Clayton grins.

Oh God.

Reid doesn't say anything to him. He just squeezes my hand and walks out with the Sloane lady trailing after him.

Must be his assistant.

“So, Aileen” Clayton's voice breaks through the silence.

“Just Lee, please Mr. Rodgers” I shake my head.

“Well if I'm going to call you Lee, I equally insist you call me Clay. After all, we're already family.”

A tight-lipped smile follows on my part.

“I saw the article about my cousin getting engaged but I don't believe in the tabloid gossip” he begins to near me.

I glance at the walls to make sure they're still glass and transparent.

He can't hurt me.

“But when my sister called to confirm it, I just had to come down and see for myself” he chuckles.

“Your sister?” I ask.

“Yes, you've met her, right? Ellen.”

My brows arch.

“She's your sister?” I ask. “Like biologically?”

Clayton cocks his head and I shut my eyes briefly.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound like that” I chuckle nervously.

“No, it's okay. I get that a lot” he says.

He did?

“And yes, she's my biological sister” he nods.

I nod, brushing my hair away from my neck.

“Are you two seriously engaged?”

“Why do you keep asking that?”

“Because I know my cousin and you're nowhere near his type” he chortles.

I was getting tired of this.

“And what is his type, huh? Anika?” I ask.

I could hear myself sounding very jealous and when Clayton arches his brows in amusement at me, I know for sure that's what I sounded like.

“You've met?”

More than I'd like to.

When I don't answer, Clayton moves closer to me.

“Don't get me wrong, Lee. But you're not what I expected to see when I heard the news” he folds his arms.

“What did you expect to see? An ugly troll?” I fold my arms.

“Definitely not a smart mouth” he scoffs. “And all trolls are ugly.”

I roll my eyes.

“You're interesting, Lee.”

I frown.

“You met me five minutes ago.”

“And I can tell why... and how...” his eyes roam my body, “... you drive Ben crazy.”

Pervert!

I take a step back.

“You're beautiful” he goes on, “And that attitude... well...” he scoffs, “...it just enhances everything you've got.”

I squeeze my brows together.

“Ben's got a good eye” he smirks. “How about we do dinner sometime? Just us two... so we get to know each other better.”

I turn and walk further away from him.

“I'll pass.”

Before he can get another word out, Reid comes back in.

Thank God!

“You two done bonding?” he smiles.

“I just asked her out to dinner and she refused” Clayton chuckles. “My charm was no match for her. You've got yourself a keeper, Ben” he clasps Reid on the shoulder.

Reid smiles at me.

“That I do.”

I glance at Clayton and his eyes are on Reid this time. He looks away when Reid walks away from him and to my side.

“Well, I'm going to leave you two lovebirds alone” Clayton smiles. “I need a kip.”

“I'll see you at home then?” Reid asks.

“Yeah. It was delightful to meet you, Lee.”

“Likewise” I mutter.

He stares at me for a beat before Reid speaks up again.

“I would've walked you out but I need to get this one in the shower so...”

“Of course. Later.”

He gives me one last look before walking out. I frown at him as I watch him leave.

“You ready for that shower?” Reid smirks.

I finally look away from the back of Clayton's head and at Reid.

“Tell me he's the cousin who used to bully you.”

Reid scoffs, threading a hand through his honey-brown hair.

“It's that obvious?” he asks.

“I don't like him, Armani” I shake my head.

“Yeah well he's family so, we've gotta put up with him.”

I sigh.

“So the shower?” Reid pumps his brows.

I roll my eyes, a smile growing on my face.

“You're staying down here, Armani.”

Thank you for reading!
Please don't forget to vote.
Ciao
~the_atticwriter