Falling for My Younger Boss

Of Pies and Such

"Is it your first time here in Harrowpoint? It is a quiet place, you'd definitely love it here if you decide to stay," said Amanda. She stole a glance his way and realized he was looking at her too with a quizzical look on his face. She felt her cheeks heat up. Does he remember me now, she thought to herself.

"I don't mean to sound fresh or rude but have we met before? You look familiar. Do you know that feeling?" he asked. 

"I'm not sure. I mean, I've never really gone outside of Harrowpoint and I know everyone here. I don't know you or even recognize you so I doubt we've met before." Amanda answered.

"Huh, okay. I just have this weird feeling that I know you from somewhere or at least, I've met you before." the man said. "Anyway, this is delicious. Do you mind if I'd have another slice?" 

"Thank you. It's one of the diner's best sellers. I make them fresh every day at the bakery I work at in the morning and bring them in." She gave him another slice and went back to close the diner.

"You made this? It's amazing. Hey, you could make good money selling these." 

Amanda looked at him and noticed he was still looking at her intently. "Is there something on my face?" She asked. 

"It's just that I really feel like I have met you somewhere before and I can't seem to shake the feeling off. Did I offend you? I'm sorry if I did." He then smiled at her his signature lopsided grin.

Amanda's heart started pounding in her chest. "I really don't think so. Maybe I just look like someone you knew or have met before." She said. If he doesn't remember Harrowpoint, how else can he remember me, Amanda thought to herself.

"So you work at a bakery, huh? And you also work here in the diner. Why is that?" He changed the subject. 

"Well, there's a really simple explanation to that, not every one of us has a lot of money to spare. There are a lot of poor people in the land of the free, you know. I have bills to pay and a family to provide for. And really, I don't think that's any of your business. I don't know you and you don't even know me or my life story." She answered irritatedly. 

"I'm sorry if I offended you, again. Wow, that's twice in less than five minutes, a new record for me." He apologized right away. "And I'm Robert by the way, Robert Elliston." he quickly added.

"You didn't offend me, I was just stating a fact. Also, I'm sorry if I snapped at you, I'm just tired. I did double shifts here at the diner and closing at that. I really just want to go home and rest." Amanda smiled at him. "And I'm Amanda Coyle by the way."

Robert extended his hand and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Amanda. And I'm sorry that I'm taking your time. I won't stay long, I promise. I'll just finish this and go back to my car. By the way, is there a mechanic nearby? I need help with my tires." he asked.

Amanda arched an eyebrow at him.

"Hey, don't look at me like that. I know how to change a flat. Thing is, my spare is also a flat so I need someone to look at it." he smiled at her sheepishly.

Amanda's heart did summersaults. Stop smiling at me like that, she thought to herself. "It's late. Joe has probably closed already and he is the only garage in town." She told him matter-of-factly. 

"That'll be a problem. LA is a couple of hours away from here. Is there a hotel nearby where I can stay for the night? I've been driving the whole day and maybe it was a good thing that I got a flat tire, made me stop to rest." He said.

"Why have you been on the road the whole day anyway, not that it's any of my business. Anyways, Harrowpoint is a small town, Robert. There are no hotels here, not even a motel. There is no need because travelers don't pass by our town that often too." Amanda was starting to feel bad for Robert. If he had been driving the whole day, he needs a nice, comfortable place to stay for the night. His car would be uncomfortable. 

"Well, I like to go on road trips when I am not working. It is sort of my reward to myself. Anyways, if that's the case, I guess I'll stay in my car until someone comes for me. I'm pretty sure Sandra is trying to find a way to get me back to LA as soon as she possibly can. As it is, she is having a fit already." He smiled mischievously as if enjoying a private joke.

"Well, you can stay at my place." Amanda blurted out. "I mean, I live with my parents and twin brother but I know they wouldn't mind. You can sleep on the couch if that's okay with you. At least it's better than staying in your car." Amanda held her breath while waiting for his reply.

After giving it some thought, Robert asked her, "Is your place nearby? Sandra might look for me if and when she gets here."

"Who is this Sandra? Is she your girlfriend?" Amanda asked pointedly. "Anyways, yes, I live just a couple of blocks away from here." Amanda wanted to punch herself for asking such a stupid question. So what if he has a girlfriend? He doesn't remember this town, much more her. 

"No, she's not my girlfriend, I don't date older women. She's just my agent." Amanda was disappointed to hear that. Well, they didn't officially date years ago, they were just really close. She knew all to well that it was just unrequited feelings but why does she feel heartbroken hearing him say he doesn't date older women? Did she dare hope they can just pick up from where they left off and finally be together?

"Agent? You mean your real estate broker or something?" she asked.

"No, I have a separate broker for that. Sandra is my talent agent." Robert then smiled at her then frowned. Wait a minute, do you mean you don't know who I am? Man, this town really is small. I'm an actor in Hollywood. I've done several big movies and shows." He said smugly.

Amanda was surprised to hear this. The Robert she knew was talented alright but he was also very private. 

"I've got a lot of things going on in my life, Mr. Elliston, and watching TV or going to the movies is the last on my list to do." Did he become an actor? Why? His family is really wealthy and they own a string of companies. He doesn't need to become an actor and earn more.

"Oh, okay. I mean, I wasn't trying to brag or anything--"

"Don't worry, I didn't think you were." Amanda cut him off and smiled sweetly to assure him she wasn't thinking of that. 

"Thank you. To be completely honest, I don't really like being in the spotlight nor did I plan on becoming an actor or a celebrity at that. It was supposed to be just a one-time thing, but I'm not really into the family business so to pass my time while trying to figure what I want to do with my life, I've been doing things here and there. That's when Sandra found me and told me that it will be fun." Robert confessed.

"Okay," Amanda said. At the back f her mind though, she couldn't reconcile the idea of Robert the actor from the Robert she knew from years ago. Amanda looked at him and saw that he fell silent as if contemplating something. 

"You know what, it's odd? I don't usually tell strangers about myself right away but I've already told you some personal stuff and we have just met. I guess it's just that I feel comfortable with you." He said while smiling.

Amanda can't help but smile back at him and said, "Finish your pie so I can close up and we can go to my house. It's really late already and we're both tired." Robert smiled at Amanda and she felt her heart skip a beat.