Chapter 5 - Colliding Hearts by Delaila Adams
Chapter 5
Gavin freaking Hayes. I had danced with, kissed, and shared a bed with the most notorious bachelor and wealthiest man in New York. And to think, he’d even swooped in to keep me safe. I sat there, wide-eyed, staring at the screen, trying to process it all.
“Girl, you actually spent the night with a millionaire!” Sadie practically shouted, her face inches from mine.
“Sadie! I didn’t ‘spend the night’ with him like that. We just... slept. Literally,” I clarified, making sure she understood that nothing else had happened.
She shrugged with a mischievous smile. “Whatever you say. But you did stay the night with him. I’m honestly proud—you finally did something interesting!”
I raised an eyebrow, a bit offended. “What do you mean by ‘finally did something interesting’?”
“Come on, Eden. You know it’s true. You’ve never done anything wild, not even back in college. Maybe this could turn into something big!” She looked at me, entirely serious.
“Sadie, please. He’s probably already forgotten about me. And, really, I barely even know him.”
“Eden—” she started, but I interrupted her.
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“Sadie, I need to get ready for work,” I said, getting up and heading toward my closet.
She sighed and gave me a side hug. “You won’t know unless you try. Just think about it.” With that, she left my room. For a moment, I stood there considering her words. She might be right, but I wasn’t about to go chasing after a man who was completely out of my league. Sighing, I pulled out my work uniform and got dressed.
My uniform consisted of a short black skirt and a fitted black blouse that showed a bit more cleavage than I’d have preferred. Somehow, it passed as ‘elegant’ at the upscale restaurant where I worked. I slid into my high heels and quickly applied a light touch of makeup—just a bit of foundation, some mascara, and a hint of eyeshadow.
Stepping out of my room, I realized I couldn’t find my phone. I searched the couch, checked the counter, even looked under a few pillows. No luck.
“Sadie, have you seen my phone?” I called out.
“Nope!” she shouted back from her room. Resigned, I grabbed my jacket and purse, mentally reminding myself that it was getting colder with winter approaching.
“I’ve got to head out. I’ll see you around five,” I called as I closed the door behind me, hearing her faint “Bye!” as I stepped out. Pulling my jacket tighter around me, I flagged down a taxi.
Settling into the seat, I leaned my head against the window, only to be struck with a sudden realization—I’d left my phone at Gavin’s place! Wonderful. I didn’t have the time to retrieve it, nor did I know his number. Heck, I wasn’t even sure I remembered the way back to his apartment. The thought of replacing my phone or somehow finding a way to reach him crossed my mind, but for now, I was stuck without it.
The taxi pulled up in front of The River Café, a cozy restaurant with a beautiful view of the city skyline across the river. It was the kind of romantic spot I’d always imagined being brought to for a date.
The café was always bustling, a favorite spot for those with money or celebrating something special. It was a place I could hardly afford, even with the 30% employee discount. I smiled at the taxi driver as I paid him and made my way to the entrance. Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door and headed to the back room to stash my belongings and grab my apron. Truth be told, the café was a decent place to work. They treated their staff reasonably well and offered good pay, but the owner had a peculiar notion that all the waitresses should look risqué, believing it would draw in more patrons.
After stowing my purse in my locker and locking it up, I fastened my apron around my waist and made my way toward the kitchen. Upon entering, I was met with a flurry of activity as staff rushed about, each attending to their tasks. It was clear that the lunch rush was already underway. Spotting my colleague Riley struggling with a tray of food, I quickly stepped in to help.
“Let me give you a hand,” I said, taking three plates from her.
“Thanks, Eden,” she replied gratefully, grabbing the remaining plates.
“Not a problem. Let’s get these out,” I encouraged. She nodded and led the way into the dining area, which was packed with diners engaged in lively conversation. I followed Riley to a table by the window, positioning myself to the side as she served the guests. She flashed me a thankful smile as she took the last plates from my hands, and I turned to the front desk to check my assigned tables.
“Hey, Kayleen! What tables do I have today?” I inquired, spotting the hostess.
“Eden! So glad you’re here. We’re slammed already, and it’s only 10:30. You’ve got tables 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13,” she replied, scanning the charts. “Tables 5, 7, and 11 were just seated a few minutes ago. The others are with Kim and Riley.” I smiled in appreciation and rushed over to table 5, eager to minimize their wait. With our staffing being so low, I often ended up managing around eight tables by myself. Memorizing my sections, I plastered on a cheerful grin as I approached my first table.
“Hello! I’ll be your waitress today, Eden. What can I start you off with?” I asked, pulling out my notepad and pen. After taking their order, I dashed back to the kitchen before moving on to my other tables to get their orders, drinks, and checks.
For the next hour, I flitted between tables, the kitchen, and back again. There were no breaks for me; I was always in motion. Often, I found myself assisting other waitresses with their trays as well. Just as I was dropping off an order in the kitchen, Riley approached and informed me that Kayleen was looking for me. Curious about what she wanted, I made my way to the front.
“You called for me?” I asked as I reached Kayleen.
“Eden, I need you to take table 23 out on the deck. No one else can handle it,” she said hopefully.
“But I’m already serving six tables!” I protested. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to take the table; it’s just that I was already overwhelmed, and table 23 was tucked away in a corner outside, almost hidden from view. It was a prime spot for couples looking for romance, and I’d lost count of how many times I’d found them locked in passionate embraces when I went out to take orders.
“Please? Riley just finished one of her tables and can take one of yours,” Kayleen pleaded, giving me her best puppy-dog eyes. Sighing, I relented. Why do I always give in?
“Fine, table 23, right?” I confirmed, wanting to ensure I had the right one. Once she nodded, I sighed inwardly and headed out the back door leading to the deck. The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow on my skin. I suppressed a sigh as I walked through the door.
If only I could be out enjoying the sun instead of stuck working. Approaching the corner of the deck, I noticed two men already seated. The one with his back to me had broad shoulders clad in a sharp dark blue suit, with slightly tousled dark brown hair. The man across from him was attractive in a different way, sporting short blonde hair and a chiseled jawline that was evident from my vantage point. He also wore a tailored suit that accentuated his physique. Great, I was assigned to a table with one, possibly two, strikingly handsome guys. I walked over, smiling brightly.
“Hello! How’s everyone doing today? I’ll be your server, Eden,” I said, pulling out my notepad and pen, then looking up. My breath hitched in my throat. I stood there, completely caught off guard, my mouth slightly agape, struggling to process what I was seeing. I never imagined I’d come across him again, let alone in this very place. Sitting right in front of me was none other than Gavin.
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Gavin
Dressed in a crisp white shirt and a tailored dark suit, I summoned my car to be brought around. I had only thirty minutes to reach a meeting on the other side of the river. Adjusting my tie, I grabbed my phone along with Eden’s.
After finishing my workout, I was headed for the shower when I noticed another phone sitting next to mine. Confused, I picked it up for a closer look. It was an older model, unlike my latest version, and it was encased in a light blue cover. This definitely wasn’t mine; it had to be Eden’s, I thought. A flicker of excitement shot through me at the prospect of seeing her again. With a smirk, I set the phone down and proceeded to the shower.
The warm water cascaded over my back, soothing the tension in my muscles from the workout. After standing under the spray for several minutes, I washed away the sweat and grime. Eventually, I stepped out, wrapping a towel around my waist. Looking in the mirror, I saw a twenty-five-year-old man with messy dark brown hair and piercing steel-gray eyes, which had begun to show signs of weariness. Light stubble covered my jaw, and my gaze drifted down to my toned chest and stomach, where a well-defined six-pack greeted me. I looked older than my years, and I was aware that I worked harder than necessary. At twenty-five, I should have been enjoying life more and worrying less, but my work kept me grounded and distracted me from certain thoughts.
Throughout the ride to the restaurant, I mentally rehearsed everything I planned to say to Mike. He was considering investing millions in my business, and I needed to make a strong impression to secure his support. With Mike backing me, perhaps some of his wealthy acquaintances would come on board as well. Being a millionaire at my age often raised eyebrows, especially among older men with money. They were hesitant to trust their finances to someone they saw as a ‘kid.’ I understood their skepticism, but if they took a moment to review my track record, they would see how well I managed investments.
Clark pulled up in front of the restaurant in what felt like no time at all. Checking my watch, I noted that I was only a few minutes late—what I liked to call fashionably late. Arriving later than expected can convey a sense of importance, suggesting you have other pressing matters. It also helps to add a casual excuse like, “Sorry I’m late, I got caught up at the office.”
Exiting the vehicle, I nodded in thanks to Clark and walked into the restaurant. I chose this place for its stunning city views; they often helped seal the deal. As I approached the front desk, the hostess immediately straightened up at my arrival. I flashed her a charming smile.
“Hello! I have a reservation. My party might already be here. It’s under Hayes,” I said, the charm oozing from my words. Her cheeks flushed as she nodded, scanning her computer for my reservation.
“Uh, yes. Your party is already here waiting for you, Mr. Hayes,” she said, trying to maintain her composure. From the corner of my eye, I noticed her adjust her top slightly to reveal more cleavage. Seeing my gaze drift, she smiled and led me out to my table on the deck facing the river. I spotted Mike already seated, sipping his drink.
“Hey, Mike! Sorry for the delay; I got caught up at the office,” I said, feigning regret.
“No problem at all,” he replied, a hint of understanding in his tone. I told you that trick works. Mike was around my age, maybe a bit older, with short blonde hair and striking blue eyes. He had a well-built physique that could be intimidating when he wanted. “I’m glad we could meet up,” he added as he extended his hand for a shake.
“Likewise. We have some important matters to discuss.” Before I could continue, a familiar female voice interrupted me. Turning around, I was met face to face with Eden.
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