The moment Amelia stepped out of Dakota's Café, the evening breeze brushed against her skin.
She paused for a moment, letting the cool air settle her thoughts.
For once, she wasn't thinking about job applications, rejection emails, or what she was supposed to do next.
She had worked a full shift, earned her money, laughed with Lila and Jake, and somehow made it through the day without feeling like she was falling behind everyone else.
She felt lighter.
Almost like herself again.
Amelia slipped her apron into her bag and adjusted the strap over her shoulder.
Beth had already left ahead of her, talking excitedly on the phone about some "big news" she refused to reveal.
Typical Beth.
She loved suspense almost as much as she loved talking.
Amelia smiled to herself as she walked toward the parking lot.
Then she saw the car.
A sleek black vehicle sat near the curb, its polished surface reflecting the streetlights.
She slowed.
She already knew who it belonged to.
The driver's door opened.
And there he was.
Xavier Steel.
Amelia's heart gave an irritating little jump.
Of all the people she could have run into tonight...
Xavier stepped out, dressed in a dark suit that looked effortlessly expensive. He closed the car door and glanced around before his eyes settled on her.
Recognition appeared immediately.
Then came that faint, almost arrogant smile.
Amelia straightened.
She wasn't going to let him see that his presence affected her.
She continued walking.
"Leaving already?"
His voice stopped her.
Amelia turned slowly.
"I have a home to get to."
His lips curved.
"I wasn't aware I was keeping you."
"You weren't."
"Good."
He walked a little closer.
Amelia folded her arms.
"So, what brings you to my little corner of the city?"
"Business."
"Of course."
His eyebrow lifted.
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing."
"It didn't sound like nothing."
Amelia shrugged.
"You look like someone who has important places to be. I just didn't expect one of those places to be a café parking lot."
"Maybe I have a reason to be here."
She studied him.
"And what's that?"
Xavier looked at her for a moment.
"I was meeting someone nearby."
"That makes more sense."
She nodded as though the matter were settled.
He gave a quiet laugh.
"You always ask this many questions?"
"Only when someone gives me suspicious answers."
"And you think mine are suspicious?"
"I think you're used to people accepting whatever you say."
His expression changed slightly.
Not offended.
Interested.
"Maybe I am."
Amelia smiled.
"Well, I'm not one of those people."
"I've noticed."
There was something in the way he said it that made her pause.
He remembered.
Of course he remembered.
She looked away first.
"So," she said, "how's your evening going?"
"Better now."
Her eyes snapped back to his.
"That was smooth."
"I wasn't trying to be."
"That's what makes it worse."
He smiled.
For a moment, neither of them said anything.
The street around them continued as usual. Cars passed. People walked by. Somewhere behind Amelia, the café door opened and closed.
Yet standing there with Xavier, everything seemed strangely quiet.
He looked at her apron bag.
"Still working at the café?"
"Yes."
"How's it going?"
"Good."
"You like it?"
Amelia thought about it.
"I do."
His gaze remained on her.
"You seem happier."
The comment caught her off guard.
"You noticed?"
"I notice things."
She remembered hearing almost the same words from the man who had visited the café the previous day.
Amelia frowned slightly.
"You really pay attention to everything, don't you?"
"Not everything."
His gaze held hers.
"Just things that interest me."
There it was again.
That irritating confidence.
Amelia shook her head.
"You really enjoy saying things like that, don't you?"
"Sometimes."
"And what exactly am I supposed to do with that?"
"Nothing."
He stepped back slightly.
"Unless you want to."
Amelia stared at him.
She hated that she didn't have a quick response this time.
Xavier checked his watch.
"I should go."
"Probably."
He smiled.
"Probably?"
"You said you were busy."
"I am."
"Then go."
His smile widened.
"You're very good at getting rid of people."
"Only when they need to leave."
He nodded slowly.
"I'll see you again, Amelia."
She raised an eyebrow.
"You say that like you've already decided."
"Maybe I have."
Before she could respond, he turned and walked toward his car.
Amelia watched him for a second before catching herself.
She immediately looked away.
"This man is exhausting."
"You're talking about Xavier, aren't you?"
Amelia jumped.
Beth was standing a few feet away, staring at her with the biggest grin Amelia had ever seen.
"When did you get here?"
"About thirty seconds ago."
"And you couldn't announce yourself?"
"I was enjoying the show."
"There was no show."
Beth laughed.
"Amelia, please. I saw the way you two were looking at each other."
"You saw nothing."
"I saw everything."
Amelia started walking toward the street.
Beth hurried after her.
"You like him."
"I don't."
"You definitely do."
"He's arrogant."
"You like arrogant."
"I absolutely do not."
Beth laughed.
"You're blushing."
"It's hot."
"It's evening."
"Beth."
"Fine, fine."
Beth raised both hands in surrender, but the smile on her face remained.
Amelia shook her head.
She didn't like Xavier.
At least, that's what she intended to keep telling herself.
He was confident.
Annoying.
Too observant.
And somehow, every conversation with him left her wondering what he really meant.
That was the problem.
She didn't know Xavier Steel.
But she was beginning to want to.