When the Rose meets the Nightshade

ed the doors to "The Daily Grind." The air was crisp, tinged with the sweet scent of freshly baked

outine. The gentle clinking of mugs as she arranged them on the counter, the rhythmic whoosh of the espresso machine coming to

rfect his latte art. Rachel couldn't help but smile at his earnest efforts. "You're

es mingled with the sound of clinking mugs and friendly chatter. The warmth of th

s in, eyes darting between the door and Rachel w

. "Welcome to The Daily Grind. I'm Rachel, your

y out of his teens, f

he replies in a low, sultry voice,

don't appreciate being hit on by someone young enough to be m

he continues to lean against the counter. Suddenly, the sound of

abbing Rachel and pulling he

es out, "Rhys Blackwood, you ass

Rachel demands, struggling to fre

peacefully?" the young man

g on between you and this man, but I'm asking you to please

when you aren't even in my league?!" Daisy shouts, reaching f

el exclaims, wiping the

s at Daisy, "Listen to me, Daisy. We're over. I don't want anything to

es in Rhys' words. "It's her, isn't it? Tha

hel and pulls her into his arms.

spers softly, holding R

ers back angrily, "Let me go. What are you doing?

, I'll pay you," Rhys murmurs,

claration of love. "But I gave you everything. I dedi

forgive you," Rhys say

up. "If you're done with your scene,

ng to accept d

over me! I'm better than her!" Daisy s

leave me alone," Rhys asserts, as D

I will make you see why am much better than her

e "As the door slams shut, Rhys clutches his body, re

vers a swift kick to Rhys' groin,

nconvenience my customers, rough handle me, and claim me as

on the floor. Rachel turns away, intent on returning to her

while l

ew a bag of frozen pickles on his lap and said, "For your thing down

and I can't think straight with you standing over there looking so damn sexy.

s a cheating bastar

y don't you sit down and let's have a real conversation. Lady to man, huh? I'm sure you'll

ege student to lady', right? And stop wit

eyes locked on Rachel "Why don't you tak

want your money,boy. But I do want

ing, "Take it, it's all yours. I've g

ant jerk." As she turned to leave, Rhys quickly

said, extinguishing his c

arms and gently guided her into a chair. He pul

k," he said, his e

k's almost over. You've got 20 minutes

and began, "You've alre

"You mean the psycho who made a scene i

l, but let me tell you," Rhys continued. "Daisy

zy and makes them pay. Some of guys who have been with her before came

esus, this sounds l

nothing happened. Stage two is the puppy-dog act-she'll try to win you back with sweetness.

and Rhys looked at her with

o harm herself if you don't take her back. Stage six: Sabotage – she tries to ruin your reputation or relationships wit

l chuckling. "This is insane. You're te

is voice shaking. "It's only a matter of tim

your dicks, don't you? You knew Daisy was obsessive, but

? She's the only daughter of the McDaniels, a powerful family in the tech industry. Her father is

ned. "So you dated

blackwood, son to Monique black wood, twin brother to rosemary black and step brother

m down. "I may not be in touch with the Internet but

m Rhys blackwood,why

s true . With your family connections, I don't see

ship herself and no one goes against her. She hoped with Daisy's dad help I co

from Rhys' grasp. "Let go of me,

ention from the entire coffee shop. Rachel's f

oy? I barely know you. Now shut up and le

can help each other. You help me keep Daisy away from me, and I

ed in alarm. "What t

mention that Daisy likes to go after the girls her exes are dating.

fierce. "I don't want some c

, "Then be my

. "No, I'm obviously s

gaps are nothing!

time, she dragged his body out the door, saying, "I don't want

trying to erase the entire ordeal from her mind. After a moment, she turned to face the customers, their eyes wide with s

ter and smoothed her hands over her apron, using t

er voice wavering slightly. "I promise we don't usually h

hint of amusement. She felt a rush of gratitude for their silent understanding as she continued, "Plea