Sweet Deception

The door swung open, a cheerful tinkle filled the air, announcing the arrival of a customer, I looked up from my old worn out book where I was absentmindedly doodling, walked to the counter plastering my sweetest smile I said without paying attention to the person in front of me “Welcome to Sweet Tooth, the tooth fairy will not recommend” I mechanically repeated the familiar greeting, my eyes still fixed on the counter as I waited for the customer's response. But as I glanced up my heart skipped a beat…. Standing before me was the most captivating man I’d ever laid eyes on, His unruly brown hair framed his face, defying order, while his eyes - pools of deep, rich brown - seemed to hold a secret, drawing me in with their warmth. Broad shoulders filled out his plain black collared tee, and his arms... oh, his arms were sculpted, the veins visible beneath his skin like a roadmap of strength. He looked like he’d been on the road, tired eyes stared back at me. A sly smirk played on his lips, as if he knew a joke I didn't. My belly fluttered with a sudden, inexplicable warmth, and I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment, as if he could see right through me like he could tell I was ogling him. “Great 10 seconds of my life I’d never get back”, He said in a low voice, his eyes wandering away from me to take in the shop and its goodies. “Is that the best you could come up with? A kindergartner could do better” I forced a smile remembering how my mom always said “customers are always looking for where to let go” , trying to play it cool I said “Sooo what do you care for?” But I had this urge to slap manners into this “boy”!. “Normally I’d recommend the milkshake and sweet tooth special; it’s a pie with white chocolate cream filling and I just have to say you’d defin-“ He cut me off mid-sentence and said almost nonchalantly “Can you stop making your voice do that chirpy sound, it’s aggravating, I want a donut- plain- and coffee, black, no sugar.” “Sure thing!” I said making my voice extra “aggravating” He walked off without so much as a thank you, heading to the farthest part of the room. “Wow what a ray of sunshine” I muttered under my breath. I quickly fixed up his order and walk across the room to his table. He didn’t look so evil anymore; he was staring out the colorful windows, lost in thought, here but not here and I could tell he needed someone. I cleared my throat to announce my presence, dropped his bland food in front of him and said “ I think you’re new here”, I said. “When did you come in?” His brown eyes trailed from my face to my body definitely not trying to hide the fact that he was checking me out. He settled on the tag on my apron, squinted, and said, “Wouldn’t you like to know, Tiana?” I huffed a breath.. it’s the tag he was staring at not your boobs you bozo. “ It’s actually Christiana” He stretched his hand and said in the most casual voice, with a wide smile i thought he was having a stroke “ I’m Oliver” I suddenly felt very aware of my surroundings, and a spark of something made my pulse quicken and skin tingle. Little did I know this chance encounter would set off a chain reaction that would change the course of our lives forever.