CHAPTER 5

"Listen," Haven started seriously, his gaze piercing into hers. "It's just for two months, alright. Just think of it as helping a friend out."

"But I don't know you," Alexis said in a matter of fact tone.

"It doesn't matter." He shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "Fine, I'll pay you a hundred."

She blinked. "Huh?"

"Not bad, huh?" Haven smiled slyly.

A hundred thousand grand for just two months. That was more than she could make for years. She could be able to afford a lawyer for her dad and even start a new life. Was he serious? She turned to Matt for some sort of confirmation. Who was she kidding? These men were serious. That much money would probably be chicken change to them.

Silently, she bid farewell to her old life. "Got a pen I can sign with?"

Haven smiled at her submission.

He had her. Haven thought. The moment he made that offer, he knew he had won her over.

"I think we should lay down some terms before I sign," she said, looking through the paper again. Haven liked that she was a smart one even though she didn't seem like it.

"I'll let you two go through that," Matt said as he excused himself. He stood up from the table and walked over to the counter to order something. He stared warily at them, mouthing to Haven not to say anything that could push her away.

Haven highly doubted that. She looked too interested to back out. Although he could see she was having an inner struggle with herself as she read through the contract. While he didn't blame her for being too cautious of the whole thing, he didn't see anything wrong. They were practically using each other. It was how business deals worked.

"What are you thinking about?"

"I'm thinking about my new life. A hundred thousand is a bit much." She looked at him.

"Not for me," he said honestly. If he was being honest, if he even gave her two hundred, he wouldn't feel the impact on his account. Not wanting to sound too smug, he kept that detail to himself.

Alexis nodded and returned her attention to the contract. "What does attire mean?"

"A change of wardrobe."

Her head snapped up. "You don't need to do that. I have my own clothes to wear."

Haven raised a brow, studying her outfit. "I could get you more suitable ones."

Her expression suddenly turned defensive and he fought back a smile. He figured that would be her exact reaction. "What? My outfit not good enough?"

"It's not lady-like."

"It is not a tomboyish outfit either," she retorted. Before she could speak again, he opened his mouth.

"I'm not saying your outfit is bad. It's just that my mother is one who likes classic things, including clothes. It would be nice to get on her good side with that."

Alexis pressed her lips together, her cheeks turning red from either embarrassment or anger. He wasn't sure.

"I'll buy my own clothes then."

He frowned. "Do you have the money to waste on that?"

Her cheeks turned a deeper red. "Wow, you're an asshole. It's not like I'm homeless." She was smart and fiesty. "How old are you anyway? You're rude."

"I'm twenty-six." he answered. He was obviously older than her.

She bit back what she was about to say.

"I'm guessing you're twenty two or three."

"Twenty-four," she snapped.

Just a two year difference.

She rolled her eyes, looking away from him. "Do we have to kiss?"

"If the situation requires of it, yes."

Her eyes grew smaller. "Then I hope such a situation doesn't arrive."

Haven fought back a laugh. What was she worried about in a kiss? It was a common thing for couples. "I won't kiss you if the condition doesn't need for it so don't worry."

Nodding slowly, she placed the paper down and then with a small movement of her fingers, signed the papers. He knew she didn't read through everything but he didn't say anything. If she was fine with what she wanted to know, he was cool with it too.

"Alright. Now to lay my own condition." She leaned slightly towards him, just as he had earlier. "When it's time to call it quits, I'll be the one to say it."

Unconsciously, he found himself leaning forward too. "Why?"

"Something about a poor girl divorcing her rich husband sounds interesting to me," she remarked with a playful smile.

"Alright," he agreed. "If that's what you want."

She extended a hand forward and this time he took it. "Well then, I guess we now have a deal."

Alexis' phone went off for the fifth time in just three minutes. Annoyed, she pulled it out of her apron pocket to see the name Haven Gray flashing on the screen. She frowned. Jeez, what kind of accurate time keeper was he? Fine, she knew she had agreed that he could call around two since they apparently had somewhere to be today, but it wasn't even two yet. Why was he in such a hurry?

Not wanting to give him the satisfaction of answering quickly, she pocketed her phone back, putting it on silent.

"Was that Haven?" Sam asked, coming out from the back room.

"Yeah," Alexis said. "I told him I'd be at work by this time."

"It's not like you can't answer while working." Sam said with a stare. "Just tell him you're busy right now."

"I'll pick up when it's time too."

Sam nodded and walked over to one of the cabinets. "Aren't you excited though?" she asked, pulling out a bag of coffee beans. "He's handsome and famous."

"And his personality sucks," Alexis added.

"Are you talking about Haven?" Jake asked, stepping into the room with a few orders in his hand. He reached for the coffee beans in Sam's hand. "When is he coming over again? I hope he brings the other guy with him."

"You mean Matt?" Sam asked, blinking. "What happened to table number six."

Jake frowned. "He sucks in bed."

Alexis and Sam shared a laugh as Jake began to grind some decaf coffee beans.

"So you think Matt will be worth your time?"

"Why not? He's pretty and he seems nice." he gushed immediately. "The whole time when he was here, I kept watching him."

Alexis didn't know much about Matt, but he seemed like an okay guy. Still, she was wary about him too. If he was a friend of Haven, surely he would be just as weird as his friend.

"Don't bother yourself with him. He isn't gay," Sam said.

Nodding, Jake let out a soft sigh. "That doesn't mean I can't have a crush on him."

Sam patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, it will die soon."

The grinder came to a stop and Jake left the room, carrying cups of freshly made coffee. When he left, Sam turned to Alexis. "How's your dad?"