Alpha Billionaire Series

GABRIELLA

Nathan was nothing if not persistent. I shook my head and smiled the next time he walked into Love Buns.

“Hi, Gabriella”

His smile was dazzling, and it reminded me of things that were better off forgotten. Specifically, how he had made me feel once upon a time. By some minor miracle, he had never come into the café while Robbie was in residence. That was a situation I hadn't yet figured out how to manage.

I did need to talk to Nathan, but he seemed insistent on catching me off guard. There was an easy way of doing things, and he still went for option number two.

“I can't talk. I've already told you what hours work best. If I know you're coming in I can schedule someone else to work.”

He grinned at me as if he could charm his way back into my good graces. I would never admit to anyone, least of all him, tha it was starting to work.

“I thought I would give it another shot. You can't be this busy all the time.”

“I can, and I am. Look, if you insist on randomly showing up and waiting around to see if I have a free moment open up, you are welcome to bring your laptop in and get some work done. I'd hate for you to waste all that time."

“Who says it's a waste of time?”

At least the next time he showed up in the café he brought a laptop with him. He ordered two cupcakes, tried to convince m to come sit and talk, and then set up in the seating area. It seemed like he was there most of the workday. This went on for most of a week before I finally went and sat down.

“See I knew you would find the time to talk to me," Nathan smirked.

I glanced at my watch. “I have three minutes. That's not enough time to talk about everything we need to discuss.”

It certainly wasn't enough time to tell him he had a son and deal with the subsequent fallout of his reaction. Because there was no way Nathan would take that news and not react.

“Three minutes is enough time to tell me one thing” he said.

I glanced at my watch again. “You're right. Three minutes is enough time to tell you that we should schedule some time.” “Then go on a date with me.”

His smile would have made me weak in the knees if I hadn't already been sitting.

“I don't date,” I said. I pushed up, ready to head back before my timers went off. “I schedule meetings and appointments.” “That's not like the Gabriella I used to know. Where's the fun, the spontaneity?”

I rubbed the back of my hand over an itchy spot on my jaw.

“I don't know who or what you were expecting. I have to run a business. The Gabriella you used to know barely knew what she was doing. A lot has changed Nathan. Can you honestly say you're the same man?”

His hand reached out and circled my wrist. I wasn't ready for his touch. The feel of his fingers on my skin sent shivers through my body.

“We had talked about hooking back up if we were both available. Come on Gabs."

He called me by that nickname. Everyone shortened my name to Gabby, but not Nathan, he either used the full four syllables, or he chopped it all down to just one. And for some stupid reason, my pulse sped up at the sound of his voice saying Gabs.

“I have to go, Nathan. Three minutes is not enough time to do anything. And you haven't even asked if I am available.’

“Are you available?”

“I don't do hookups. If you want to see me, make an appointment.” I ran back to the kitchen. I had cupcakes in the oven that needed to come out. That was my excuse, it was the one I would repeat to myself for days. I would not even admit to myself that maybe I was running away from Nathan and the way his mouth formed the sounds of his nickname for me.

I pulled cupcake pans and lined them up on racks so they could start to cool. I would remove the cupcakes in a moment. I washed my hands and began pulling ingredients for filling. I already had some cream cheese frosting in the refrigerator that would doctor up to use to finish this batch up. I had work that needed to be done, and I needed a reason to stay sequestere in the kitchen.

In the three minutes I had given Nathan, he had set my nerves on edge and confused me. I needed to be prepared and braced for any time I spent with him.

The kitchen door swung open.

“What's up?” I asked without looking up, assuming Josie was coming in to ask me something.

“Is that any way to greet me?” Mitch's raspy voice said.

“Hi Mitch,” I said with a genuine smile. “What brings you by today?”

“Do I need an excuse to visit my Gabby?” Sarcasm was thick in his veins and came out his mouth with every other word. His feigned hurt ended with the words. That man was not insulted that I had questioned his presence.

“I thought I would pick something up for Jenny. Plus, I can now tell her I checked in on you and the boy. So, how's the boy? She wants to know why you haven't been calling for babysitting?”

“Robbie is just fine. He's at preschool today. If Jenny wants to spend time with him, she can. She doesn't have to ask me to take advantage of her to babysit him. You know, have a day to go to the z00 or something.” I knew that Robbie would love to spend time with her, especially since she spoiled him. He needed someone to lavish some affection on him, and I felt that I was having to spend too much time focused on the cafe.

“She would love that”

“Good, sit. I'm trying out a new strawberry filling. I will have these ready in a few minutes, and you can take some to Jenny." “Now that's what I'm talking about,” Mitch said as he clapped his hands together and rubbed. “She loves your experimentation. Remember those mango and lime ones you made? She loved them.”

“Seriously? I think she may have been the only person who did. I haven't had one single request to bring those back.”

“Well, consider this a request. Or hey, I can just order those, right? You couldn't do a whole cake, could you? You know, for her birthday or something?” Mitch asked.

“Of course, I could. Remind me the week before so I have time to get the ingredients in. I will make her a mango and lime cake!’

We continued to chat as I piped filling into the cooled cupcakes. I blended freshly chopped strawberries into the premade frosting and then piped frosting onto the cupcakes to look like a giant rose.

“Those are almost too pretty to eat,” Mitch said as I showed him the finished product.

“Almost,” I parroted as I pulled a four-up box from the shelf. “But you're still going to eat them.”

I boxed up four of the strawberry rose cupcakes. I handed him the box and then began stacking the cupcakes on trays for placing in the case.

“Jenny will love these,” Mitch said as he stood to leave.

“I hope so. Tell her I said hi, and also let me know if she ever just wants to take Robbie to the zoo or anything."

“See you later Gabby. Oh, I'm supposed to tell you to give Jenny a call if you need any help.”

“I will”

I followed Mitch out of the kitchen. I went to help with the line at the counter as he left. On his way to the front door, Mitch stopped and turned his head. I looked up and froze as a wash of nerves ran over me. I had forgotten to tell Mitch that Nathan was back, hell, that Nathan was sitting right there.

“Um, I'l have...” the woman in front of me started her order.

Damn it, I needed to help the customer in front of me, but I also wanted to see how the reunion between Mitch and Nathan would go.

I got her a coffee and two cookies and rang her up. I strained to listen to Mitch, grateful no other customers needed my attention for a moment.

“Don’t I know you, man?” Mitch asked.

Nathan shrugged.

“No, I know you. Nate, right?” Mitch stopped and backtracked from the door to the table. “ah man, where the hell have you been?”

Nathan shook his head. “I don't know what you're talking about?”

“Seriously, come on man, stop foolin’ around. How long have you been back? Do you still have that sweet Ducati? Black with red lightning. Beautiful paint job.”

“You must have me mistaken for someone else. I don't ride motorcycles.” Nathan said that last bit with a sneer.

Mitch looked as confused as I felt. What the hell was up with Nathan that he would lie like that?

“Whatever, man." Mitch shook his head and pushed out of the café.NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.

As soon as I was done with the customer, I crossed the cafe to where Nathan sat watching Mitch strap on his helmet and star up his bike and leave.

“Why did you lie to Mitch like that?” I asked.

“I'm not looking to get back into the scene.”

“Lying to Mitch has nothing to do with the scene. So, what if you don't race, that's still no reason to be rude to someone who was once your friend.’

“Look, I don't ride anymore. And I sure as hell don't race, and I don't support people who do. Frankly, I'm disappointed to fin out you still do.’

“Do what?"

“support the illegal race scene. You're no longer a kid, Gabriella, and it's a dangerous game."

I scoffed. “You have no idea what you are talking about.”