05

The newcomer gently pulled her to his side. The gesture was almost feral—she’s mine. It signaled not just sexually, but personally. His stance and the way he angled his body indicated his readiness and willingness to pursue more violent action. Alex could feel his strength radiating over her.

The drunk’s eyes widened. He held up his hands, realizing his mistake.

« No worries, bro. Thought she was free, » he mumbled as he pushed by them.

Alex squinted at her rescuer, but without her contacts or glasses, she couldn’t see any detail, even this close. She glanced down at the hand that still held her wrist. Odd that only moments before she felt frightened when she was alone with the drunken man, but now alone with this man, she felt safe.

She offered him a tentative smile. « Thanks. »

« Why are you here alone ? »

There was that voice again ! She could barely understand what he was saying. There was a hint of an American accent, familiar somehow, but the connection eluded her.

« I don’t know—the loud music—the crowd, » she said. « And my contacts. I’ve lost my contacts. I can’t see properly. » She tilted her head. She couldn’t see his features. « I didn’t see that guy coming, that’s for sure. »

« Where are your friends ? »

« My friends ? » She touched her forehead hesitantly. « I’m not sure. I’ve lost them. » She shook her head a little. « I’m fine. » She lied, wanting to go home. She felt tired. There was still work tomorrow and then the meeting with Peter. A sigh escaped. « Can you help me find them ? »

« Yeah, sure. Come on. »

Her hand was neatly enveloped by his as he led her toward the door. Ruby came rushing through, the music swirling around her. « Alex ? Alex ! There you are. Are you okay ? »

Nikita and Isa were just a step behind.

« Yeah, I’m fine. Can we go now ?’

Nikita gave her a look. « Yeah. I’ve had enough. Too many people here. No fun being shoved around. »

Isa looked at the rescuer and grinned. « Thanks for helping Alex find us. So you know each other ? »

He nodded unseen in the darkness as Alex interrupted. « No, we don’t know each other. Now can we go ? »

« Yeah, » Ruby said. « Let’s get out of here. »

As they made their way toward the stairs, Alex turned. « Thanks for everything. »

At that moment, Jayden wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her, but he damn well couldn’t do that, could he ? He was a stranger to her. She would think he was no better than that bastard he pulled off her. Why he felt this way toward her he didn’t know, except she was Peter’s friend—and possibly his future fake girlfriend.

He made sure Alex and her friends were safely out of the bar before he returned to Peter, Mary, and some of Mary’s friends sitting in the corner.

Peter asked, « Long line ? »

« Yeah, » said Jay, not willing to tell the whole story. He picked up his BlackBerry and saw a message. It was from David Peterson, his executive officer from the head office in New York for his real estate company the J.M. McCartney Group.

Hey, boss, contract ready for you. Documents all sorted.

Need you to check and sign. Check your e-mail.

How’s the vacation ? Hope to see you soon.

He leaned across to Peter. « Hey, I think I’m gonna call it a night. »

Disappointment flashed across Mary’s face, a slight blush reddening her neck.

« You all enjoy yourself. Bye, everyone. Nice to meet you all, » he said as he headed for the stairs.

Peter hid a smile at Mary’s discomfort. « See you guys at work, » he said, following Jayden out.

The aroma of coffee greeted Alex the moment she stepped through the door of SAN Restaurant. It was toasty warm inside compared to the sharp, cold air outside. She headed to the counter and ordered herself the hot chocolate she had been craving since Friday. Then she took a seat facing the door to make sure Peter would be able to spot her.

Alex glanced about her surroundings, noting the busy staff, the happy customers, and cozy decor of the restaurant.

SAN made the best hot chocolate in town, not to mention Cambodian food. She and her friends had always met here for their hot-choc sessions.

She took off her blue coat nervously. In fact, her insides were shuddering with anxiety as she waited for Peter and his friend, whoever he was, to show up.

Peter had called her late last night. After he sang her a happy birthday song loudly, he told her she shouldn’t be nervous meeting his friend, supposedly a nice person. She trusted Peter. He would never introduce her to anyone who had a questionable character, except for thatone time with Andrew.

Peter said his name was Jayden, and Jay could help her with her problem. Peter hinted it was about her dad. Again, that anticipation rose in her chest.

A pretty waitress arrived and placed the tall cup of hot chocolate on her table.

« Thanks. » Alex nodded her head at the waitress in appreciation.

« No worries. Enjoy, » the young woman said sweetly and then went away.

Alone, Alex grinned and inhaled the steamy liquid, her nose almost touching the thick, brown, chocolaty foam. She picked up one pink marshmallow and dropped it into the hot liquid and then picked the white one and popped that into her mouth. She smiled as the light, sugary goodness melted on her tongue. She lifted the cup and took a sip, the warmth and sweetness of the liquid soothing the coldness in her body.

Who could Jayden be ? And how can he help me and Dad ?

She glanced outside through the cafe’s window and saw it was raining again. She watched as people wearing thick jackets with scarves wrapped around their necks rush back and forth in a hurry, even though it was a Sunday. She supposed they wanted to get away from the cold wind and rain.

She glanced at the entrance again. A part of her wanted to see Peter coming through that door, but the other part didn’t. She picked up her cell phone to check the time. It said 2 :30 p.m. exactly. The tightness in her stomach intensified. Then she felt a breeze of cold air. She glanced up and saw Peter. Her heart skipped a beat. She straightened herself and stood up just a bit to get his attention. That was when she saw him.

Her heart did a triple skip.

It’s him. It’s Mr. Hot-Choc ! So he’s Jayden ?

Gosh, he looked so—non-Kiwi. Not that she was a full Kiwi herself. She was half-Cambodian. Her mom was a refugee Cambodian who migrated to New Zealand years ago just after the Pol Pot regime. Then her mom married her dad, a real Kiwi bloke to boot, who was one of the many refugees’ supporters along with Peter’s mom and dad.

Peter saw her after a quick scan around the cafe.

« Hey, Alex, » he said as he and Jayden advanced toward her. « How are you ? »

« Fine, thank you. » She couldn’t help noticing her voice was shaking just a bit from nervousness.

« Alex, this is Jayden McCartney, » Peter said, nodding his head toward the handsome man.

« Hi. » Alex stood slightly, giving him a fleeting smile, avoiding his eyes.

« Hey, » Jay said, offering his hand.

Alex looked at it as though she had just seen a pig fly. Hesitantly, she put her hand into his. They shook.

Jayden thought her hand was cold, and it was so small it disappeared into his. She was also too thin. She still looked plain, wearing those skinny jeans and purple jersey. She must be cold because she still had her pink scarf wrapped around her neck even in this cozy cafe.

As they took their seats, he noted her snuggling her chin deeper into the thick scarf.

« Did it come off ? » she asked, her voice low, her eyes watching him through her glasses.

Jayden had just noticed she was wearing a pair of glasses. He didn’t remember her wearing them on Friday or last night.

He glanced at Peter and saw his friend eyeing him quizzically. He said, « It did, » not bothering to enlighten his friend of what did come off.

« Oh, good. I was so worried it wouldn’t. »

« Don’t worry. » He didn’t know how because he hadn’t been the one who did the cleaning. The washing machine did, and Peter’s mom, Mrs. Thompson, the High Court justice.