Naia

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry," I stammer as I look at the handsome man before me.

My face flushes as my hands begin to tremble.

Shit. He's so attractive. His eyes bore into me, and his lips are incredibly seductive. My heart races as I look at him.

He's so imposing; his gaze is penetrating.

My breath leaves my chest, and I try to compose myself.

It's like he can see my soul, and I'm instantly smitten.

Good god, I could swim for a mile in his eyes; his cleft chin is a thing of beauty, and his shoulders roll back as he looks at me.

His eyes see into the bottom of my heart as I gently push his hand away, "I'm fine, thank you."

The cloth es he’s wearing seem to be slightly too big for him, but they don't hide his rippling muscles sneaking up beneath the fabric.

"Be more careful; I wouldn't want you to get hurt," He says, giving me a charming smile.

His eyes gaze down my body, and I realize he's not just being polite. This man is flirting with me.

He looks just as captivated with me as I am with him , which I know must be a mistake; how could a man like that see anything in me?

I'm just a simple nobody, minding my own business, but this man is catching my eye.

I blush and try to hide my smile, looking away from him as I catch my footing.

My i mpulsive side wants to fall again, just to see if he would catch me in those strong arms again.

His eyes flicker to mine, and I shove my hair behind my ears.

"I'm sorry, Cole?" Teresa's voice draws my attention, "But your drink is ready." Cole. I will remember that name.

My hopefully- new boss, Teresa, looks at Cole like he's the most beautiful and beguiling thing on earth as she passes him the cup.

He seems to captivate anyone he comes into contact with. Why do I feel slightly jealous? I’ve only just met the man.

The store is quiet; everyone looks on, but I don't pick up on the tension; I'm wrapped up in his beauty.

"I don't think I've ever seen you around here before." Cole says, as he sips his coffee.

"No, I just got to town." I tug on my earlobe, as I do when I am nervous.

"I see. That explains it, then. I thought I knew everyone in this town; now we just need to get to know each other." Cole presses the cup to his lips once more and I swoon.

I’ve never seen someone so. . . Enticing before. Why does he have this pull on me?

It's his lips, the way they curve when he smiles, and the smell of his cologne, the way it lingers.

He brushes his hands through his hair and flutters his eyelashes before looking at me again, "If, of course, that’s okay with you. Can I buy you a drink?"

At first, I'm taken aback. No man has ever so blatantly hit on me.

Then it dawns on me that this is a small town, and I'm new here.

I’m fresh meat.

Of course, he would find an interest in something so new.

"Um, sure." I fidget with my wallet.

"No, I've got it; what would you like?" Cole's hand gently touches mine.

"A Nitro Brew." My eyes flick across the counter to Teresa, and she nods.

Such a nice gesture from such a handsome man. Even my knees feel weak in his presence. Is it because he is so polite, or is it because I am new and feel very vulnerable?

"Alright, and a Nitro Brew for the lady," Cole's voice pulls my attention back to his face and off of his body.

His voice is like smooth velvet.

"Alright, just one second." Teresa turns away and prepares my coffee.

"Thank you." I can feel my face heating up fast as he stares down at me, slight dimples force their way onto his face as he grins at me.

"Of course, Reece Point is nothing if not hospitable." Cole motions for me to join him at a table.

I follow his lead to the back of the store.

It may be my first day in town, but I'm not going to pass up an opportunity to get to know the locals—even if it means staring at them a little bit.

I mean . . . look at him.

He's mesmerizing.

His eyes cut through mine in a way I've never known. It's as if he truly sees me.

We find a table in the back, and he pulls my chair out for me. The conversation starts with him y ammering on and on about all of the amazing places that I need to see while in town.

If I’m being honest, It’s hard to focus on anything he says to me. My eyes are fixated on how strong his jaw is and how his mouth moves, almost inviting me in.

He seems to genuinely love this town and all of its history. I smile as I try my best to listen to him rattle on about how things were built.

By the end of the conversation, I know the name of the local grocery store founder and how his wife died some years ago.

I know that her name is posted on the building, and it was her love for her family that led them to open the store in the first place.

She only ever wanted to serve her community.

The way that Cole speaks about her is wholesome, as if he knew her, even though she was before his time.

Victoria.

"She was the true heart of this city." Cole glances out the window, and I feel his heart move.

The way he speaks of things moves me, like he is talking to my soul.

How can I feel so many emotions for a man I just met?

His smile sets my heart on fire, and his laugh thrills me.

I'm sipping coffee and laughing as my heart swells, this is not me, at all. What is happening to me?

It's no surprise that an older, much more experienced man like Cole would have such a wealth of knowledge, but he spills it freely as he tells me all about the history of Reece Point.

I'm not sure he's feeling me the way that I feel him, but my face flushes as he tucks my hair behind my earlobe.

We sit for what seems like hours until our coffee is cold and barely fills our cups' bottoms.

I don’t even notice how late it’s gotten until I glance out the window and see the sun starting to set; how have we been here so long?

That doesn’t seem to bother either of us, though.

Cole is something completely new for me. In the past, I’ve only dated men younger than me , or exactly my age. This is like a breath of fresh air. To have a real conversation with someone, a conversation about things that really matter, I’m in awe.

Looking at the thoughtful arch in his brow, I wonder what the heck he is doing with me.

There's something magnetic about him that I can't place my finger on; he's so compelling.

Ring.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Cole rolls his eyes as he pulls his cell phone from his pocket, "I'm so sorry if you'll excuse me for a moment."

I nod, and he dismisses himself from the table to take his call.

After a moment, he returns, and his face is disheveled.

"I'm so sorry, but I have to go. Can we rain check? I would love to do this with you again sometime soon." Cole shoves his chair back against the table and looks at me thoughtfully.

"Of course. I completely understand," I stammer as I look deep into his eyes.

"Alright, then. I'll see you again, Naia." Cole bows his head before walking away, and my heart swoons.

His declaration . . . the fact that he wants to see me again sends my heart fluttering.

"Oh, my god, girl, look at you."Teresa comes up behind me.

"What?"

"Look at your face. He's got you." Teresa smiles.

"What are you talking about?" I try to shrug it off, but I know she speaks the truth.

"Girl, you don't even know. That man flirts with nobody. He's a mystery to us locals, but you have him eating out of the palm of your hand. I better give you the job—he’s one of our best tippers. You might lure him in more often. " Teresa shakes her head and walks away.

"What do you mean?" I call after her , relieved my impromptu date didn’t blow my chances at the job.

"That man is always polite and kind, but there's something off about him. I’m just saying, be careful . " Her words haunt me.

Be careful about what? He was nothing but sweet and polite.

My mind spins as I look at my empty cup.

Everything is new. Everything is strange; I giggle gently as I walk away from the table.

This is a strange place.

I push through the door and walk home.

I can't stop thinking about Cole.

It's so silly of me to be this smitten so soon. This has never happened to me before. Especially not with a man I’ve just met.

Why does he have this effect on me?

He's older; what could we have in common? Why do I feel so elated?

I get home feeling good about myself for the first time since stepping into this town.

People like me, they seem sweet. This could be good for me.

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

My phone pulses in my purse.

I don't even look at the caller ID; I just answer, "Hello?"

"Naia, baby, listen, I need your help," My mother's voice trembles.

Oh no. . . I should have looked before I answered. I’m in such a fantastic mood, I don’t need my mother ruining this for me. It’s been too long that I have felt even a glimmer of happiness.

"What is it, mom?” I sigh. “Is everything okay?".

"Yes, baby, it's just, Oh . . . I'm so ashamed," My mother's voice cracks.

"What happened now?” I know my voice is short, but with my parents, it’s normally only one thing that they want from me.

"We have nothing . . . We can't eat. I need help," my mother whimpers.

"You need help? Why would you need help?"

Before leaving, I had set them up completely, so for her to need more money, that could only mean one thing. . .

"Baby, we can't eat; we have nothing; please help us."