His Unwilling Mate

Chapter One

**Imagine brown eyes**

P A I T Y N

It was pretty easy to tell it was the last week of shopping before Christmas, the streets were packed and the roads were not much better. I stood for a good ten minutes before the traffic on the road calmed enough for me to cross it without being mown down by a car or a bike. Another round of ice cold wind descended upon me once I reached the other side, making the rats nest known as my hair get plastered to my face yet again. As I tried to tame my waves to stay behind my ears, my eyes glanced over to the blonde that was waiting to cross the road, her straight gloss mane only ruffled ever so slightly in the wind. I huffed and pulled my hat down further, wondering how she managed to look so gorgeous.

I continued to waddle my way through the crowd of people hunting for gifts for friends and families, seriously regretting my choice of trousers. The jeans I was wearing were far too small but sadly the only black pair I had left after my rather hung-over roommate put bleach into the wash that so happen to contain my other pairs, so I was left with these that I found lying in the back of my wardrobe. They made my butt look five times its normal size and were extremely uncomfortable but I needed them for work.

After I reached the end of the shops, the amount of people that were swarming the pavement decrease significantly and I was left to carry on my uncomfortable stride in peace. I glanced up at the grey sky, it was heavy with something and I was hoping it was snow. I always liked it when it snowed at Christmas, it just made it feel more magical.

I checked the time on my phone that I pulled out, with quite a struggle, from the back pocket of my jeans and groaned slightly when I saw the time. I was late for work. Gripping my phone, I jogged as fast as I could in the jeans that were definitely going into the bin when I got home.

I made it to a small cafe with a sign that sat at an odd angle that glittered with fairy lights telling those who passed that it was Nook and Cranny. As soon as I pushed the glass open, I was greeted to a blast of warmth. It felt amazing against my chilled body.

"Tut, tut, tut Miss Greenwood! Your fifteen minutes late, that reference of yours is never going to be good," a musical voice chimed.

The voice belonged to the red head leaning against the counter wearing an almost identical outfit to mine which consisted of a white shirt and a pair of black jeans. The only difference was she had a black apron wrapped round her curvy body with a name tag above heart reading 'Mackie'. I had known her for almost six years and we were inseparable, ever since I had met her in High School we had been as thick as thieves. Mackie was the type of friend if you ever fell out with and never planned on speaking to again, you would have to kill to ensure none of your secrets got out.

"Shut it Mackie, the shop doesn't open for another fifteen minutes yet, give me a break," I told her shaking my head as I made my way to the back.

I removed my hat letting my mass of untameable waves free, sighing when I saw myself in the many mirrors in the cafe. I needed to find a hair tie stat. I shoved my hat into my jacket pocket and shrugged it off, hanging it up next Mackie's bright blue one.

"Paityn, that is not how you speak to you boss!" Mackie said attempting to look serious but her smile breaking through at the end.

"No of course not," I told her as I slipped my black apron on "its how you speak to your best friend."

Mackie laughed, throwing her head back slightly.

"What happened to my shy friend? Cuz she as sure as hell would never have had the guts to say what you just said, especially to her boss," Mackie questioned adding emphasis on her last word and placing her hands on her hips, facing me.