Unexpected

Four

Mya's POV:

I totally and completely chickened out. I found the place, his place - I stood outside for what felt like hours watching people move in and out but I couldn't bring myself to step foot inside.
I'd never considered myself a coward - even though my whole life I had chosen the straight path, I had always picked the good - had always done the right thing.
Today - right now though I felt like a coward.
A coward for running from Reed and a coward for not having the guts to walk through the door of that bar today - for not even giving myself the chance to just see him.

Instead I chose to bury my feelings in the biggest most unhealthy stack of pancakes and the strongest coffee I could find.
The cafe was pumping this morning - there were people everywhere crowded around every table - talking and laughing, parents and their children, couples, friends - sharing stories, demanding refills of coffee and waiting for the plates of freshly cooked bacon and eggs.

"I've never seen anyone look so content sitting here"

I had been so caught up watching everything that was happening in front of me I hadn't even noticed the man slide into the booth across from me. Not that I minded - the place was packed and I had a booth to myself with spare seating.

"Sorry - I didn't mean to interrupt but I've been waiting for a table forever and I noticed you sitting here all by yourself - it's cool right, if we join you"

"Ah yeah, sure. I'm Mya by the way"

I held my hand out to the strange man across from me, giving me a perfect movie star smile as he grasped my hand,

"Jake, so why do you?"

"What?"

"Look so content, sitting here - all this noise, all these people, you seem like you love it"

"I do, don't you? I mean why else would you be here?"

"You're joking right, Miss Jay has the best coffee this town has to offer and her half stack is almost to fucking die for"

"Miss Jay?" I asked, head tilted to the side as I waited his answer. He nodded

"Miss Jay and Papa Jo - this is their place. Owned it for as long as I can remember - always had a table for the locals - even the rowdiest ones"

He winked at me and I couldn't help but laugh at him.

"So Mya, clearly you aren't from around here"

"And why would you say that?"

"Well for starters you didn't know Miss Jay and I kind of think I would have remembered you. I am a local after all"

"Yeah right, of course" I took a sip of my coffee - mostly just so I could have something in my hands to hold onto, I'd never been nervous around guys having grown up in a house full of them - but I really hoped this guy wasn't going to press me for too much information.

"Well you got me Jake - I'm definitely not local. I am 100% a tourist"

"Your here on holidays, by yourself?"

"How do you know I'm by myself?"

"Trust me gorgeous, no one leaves a girl who looks like you sitting all by themselves in a strange place"

"That almost sounds like it could be a line Jake"

"Maybe, I mean it could be - or maybe we could just be friends - surely you don't want to spend your whole holidays by yourself in a strange place"

Jake flashed another grin my way - this guy was all movie star good looks. Blonde hair, tan skin and the lightest blue eyes I had ever seen and honestly he wasn't wrong - it kind of would be nice to have someone to hang out with.

"Uncle Jake"

I turned to see a hurried movement of long black hair running towards Jake, his smile widening even further when he spotted her, opening his arms and allowing her to crawl up alongside him

"Well where have you been Princess E - I have been waiting here forever for you"

"Don't be silly Uncle Jake" I couldn't help but smile as she placed her hands on either side of my face and pressed her forehead to his "I only just saw you this morning"

"Ok, fine you got me - where is your Dad?"

"He's ordering my pancakes, he said I could come straight to you"

"You want to meet my new friend Princess E"

I watched as the small girl nodded and turned her head resting against Jakes shoulder - her eyes meeting mine and I couldn't help but smile - she was such a pretty girl and I would guess around 5 or 6 years old.

"Evie - meet my new friend Mya"

"Nice to meet you Evie" I gave her a small wave, she smiled and gave me a wave back but turned towards Jake

"Is she Snow White Uncle Jake - she looks like Snow White"

Jake laughed and lifted the little girl so she was seated next to him

"She kind of does huh"

Just as Jake was about to speak again the new addition to our table started clapping, jumping up on her seat

"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy - hurry, you have to come meet Uncle Jakes friend - she looks just like Snow White"

I turned my head - the man coming towards us smiling at his daughter. It was clear to see on his face how much love he has for her.

"How about you sit down squirt before you hurt yourself"

His deep voice did nothing to hide the humour and adoration as he spoke to Evie before turning his attention to Jake,

"Tell me you didn't just invite yourself into the booth Jake?"

"Nah man, This is Mya - she is cool, she's here on holidays"

He nodded his head as he slid into the vacant seat beside me - turning his body so we could be face to face, he smiled as he held his hand out,

"I'm Knox, it seems you've already met my daughter Evie"

I returned his smile, placing my hand inside his

"Mya, it's nice to meet you"

He continued to hold my hand as his eyes ran over my face as if taking in every single one of my features,

"Mya huh" he stated, glancing towards his little girl who was also grinning before turning back to me - the sexiest smirk ever on his face as he spoke "I thought it was Snow White"