I was primed and ready to tear her a new one after school, right up until she admitted she had no idea Aaron and I were even together, that she’d been played too. In that instant we shelved our differences and joined forces to get revenge on our lying, cheating boyfriend.
After he unknowingly consumed a sports drink laced with laxatives before his Grand Final game, Aaron experienced what could only be described as one of the most unforgettable—and unfortunate—moments of his life. Since then, Sofia and I have become inseparable, our friendship only growing stronger with each passing year. We’ve travelled the world together and now we’re both attending the same university. She’s not just my best friend—she’s family.
Twenty minutes later, a knock at the door announces our delivery. I watch Sofia grab the bags as the room fills with the warm, greasy scent of spices, and we waste no time diving straight in. I force myself to take a bite. But each chew feels heavy on my tongue, my stomach slightly churning as I silently hope I can keep it all down before my interview with Jason begins.
I pull into the driveway of the Hawkins’ home—a beautiful, modern two-story brick house in Sydney’s north shore, its lawn perfectly manicured like the rest of the neighbourhood. Jason’s sleek black Ford Ranger Raptor sits idle in front of me, a powerful presence in its own right. The street feels peaceful and quaint, the kind of place where nothing bad could ever happen—perfect for raising a family.
When I glance at my phone, I realise I’m fifteen minutes early. Punctuality has never been my strong suit; if anything, I’m usually fashionably late to almost every appointment or event. But for some reason, seeing Jason today has me arriving earlier than usual. Maybe Sofia was on to something when she mentioned something about making a lasting impression.
Okay, Mila. Just breathe. Be calm and confident—calm and confident.I silently repeat the mantra as I step out of the car and carefully close the door. I give a quick once-over in the side mirror before slowly making my way to the front porch.
The sharp clack of my footsteps on the concrete path must have given me away, because within seconds of reaching the first step, the front door suddenly swings open.
There standing at the doorway, in all his six-foot-three stature, is my long-term crush and potential new boss, Jason Hawkins. His rugged appeal, somehow even more captivating with age, emanates a magnetism that seems to always suck me in and make my heart race over a hundred beats per minute.
Wearing a fitted black t-shirt that practically moulds to his hard-edged muscles and dark blue jeans that showcase his long, powerful legs, he looks utterly irresistible. His short wavy dark hair is slightly tousled, and his piercing jade-green eyes, along with a five o’clock stubble, only sharpen his already striking features. Unlike Kaden, his tattoos are fewer, but those on his forearms feel intentional, each seeming to tell a story of its own.
“You’re early!” Jason beams, his eyes lingering over the length of me in a non-perverse way.
“First impressions are everything,” I say with a playful smile.
He chuckles softly, and steps out of the threshold, barefoot and all, to give me a full-body hug that catches me by surprise.
Heat instantly creeps to my neck and cheeks, and I silently pray Jason doesn’t notice how much his touch disarms me.Get a grip, Mila!
He pulls back first, his hands firmly gripping my shoulders as his gaze locks onto mine. “Well, would you look at that.” He shakes his head in disbelief. “You’re definitely a far cry from the little Rivera I remember all those years ago, always trailing after her big sister everywhere. My how you’ve grown.” His lips curlinto a half-smile as his eyes slowly travel down my body once more.
“That’s what ten years can do to a person. And FYI, I didn’t follow Skylar everywhere. She simply had what I didn’t at the time—a license and a car.”
He releases a low, raspy chuckle, and I feel it all the way down to my core. The interview hasn’t even started, and I’m already a puddled mess. Thankfully, he seems oblivious to the chaos brewing within me.
“Let’s go inside and get started, shall we? Ladies first.” He steps aside and motions for me to enter the house.
In the many years I’ve known him, this is my first time being inside his home. Our paths rarely crossed despite him being a close friend to my sister. The only times we’ve interacted was during my visits to his restaurant or to Skylar and Kaden’s house. Apart from that, we had very little to do with each other.
I hear the front door close behind me and pause, waiting for Jason to lead the way.
The hallway is long and wide, with a staircase to the left leading upstairs to the second floor. Though simply decorated, it feels bright and airy. He guides me straight to the kitchen and dining area, where we take our seats at a large ten-seater table.
“Would you like something to drink?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m good for now, thank you.”
“Okay, great. Let’s dive right in then,” he says, pulling his phone from the back pocket of his jeans and switching it to silent before placing it carefully on the table.
“First off, this isn’t going to be some stiff, formal interview where I ask you to rattle off all your strengths and qualities. We’re practically family, and the trust I have in Skylar extends to you as well. So, let’s skip the formalities and just treat this like a friendly chat.” He winks at me, and I swear I almost forget how to breathe.
“Works for me! Saves me from having to come up with multiple ways to describe myself as bubbly, energetic, and free-spirited.”
He lets out a hearty laugh, a sound that’s fast becoming my favourite. “Your sister mentioned before that you’re the complete opposite of her. She said you’re a real kid at heart, always full of energy and enthusiasm for adventure. If that’s true then you’re practically the perfect fit for the job, because that’s exactly what my son needs.” He smiles broadly.
His phone buzzes with a text, and he quickly swipes to check it. While he’s distracted, I let myself really look at him—take in every small detail. How can one man be this devastatingly good-looking to the point it almost hurts to stare too long?
Once he finishes reading the text message, he places his phone back on the table, this time with the screen facing down. “Sorry about that. My bar manager was just updating me on how things are going at the restaurant. So far, no dramas—yet.” He shrugs casually, as if he’s accustomed to things going sideways.
“That’s always good news,” I throw in my two cents.
Jason is the owner of Hawkins’ Bar and Grill, a highly successful and popular restaurant and bar just twenty minutes from the city centre. Over the years, it has quickly become a top pick for both locals and tourists—a true hidden gem, as highlighted in several popular food blogs.
