The late afternoon rush at Rosie's Diner was in full swing. The sun streamed through the big front windows, lighting up the red booths and the black-and-white checkered floor. The air smelled like fries and coffee, and the place hummed with chatter—construction guys unwinding, a few retirees lingering over pie, and some loud college kids splitting a tab. Tina Rossi moved through it all like she owned the place, her tray loaded with plates and a grin on her face.
"Order up, Jenkins!" she called, sliding a burger in front of the old guy by the window. "Don't say I never do anything for you."
Mr. Jenkins, a regular with a mop of white hair, smirked. "You're a saint, Tina. What's a guy gotta do to get a smile with that burger?"
"Pay your tab from last week," she fired back, winking as she topped off his coffee. "I'm not running a charity here."
He laughed, and Tina moved on, dodging a kid who'd dropped a ketchup packet. She loved this job—well, most days. The people, the noise, the way she could make somebody's day with a quick joke. It wasn't fancy, but it was hers.
At the counter, her best friend Ginny was refilling the sugar shakers, her curly hair bouncing as she peeked over at Tina. "You got an admirer, girl. Booth five. He's been eyeing you like you're the special of the day."
Tina glanced over. A guy sat there—late twenties, dark hair slicked back, wearing a leather jacket that screamed "I'm trying too hard." He was good-looking, sure, but in a way that made her think he knew it. He caught her staring and flashed a grin.
"Oh, joy," Tina muttered, turning back to Ginny. "Another prince charming. Should I start planning the wedding?"
Ginny snickered. "He's got a vibe. Maybe he's your type."
"My type? Please. My type is 'pays his bill and doesn't hit on me with lines he got from a rom-com.'" Tina grabbed a rag and wiped down a spot on the counter, but she couldn't help sneaking another look. Okay, he wasn't bad to look at.
The door jingled, and another guy walked in. This one was different—tall, dark hair, dressed in a sharp white shirt and pants that fit just right. He looked like he belonged in an office, not a greasy diner, but he didn't seem out of place. He scanned the room, his eyes pausing on Mr. Leather Jacket for a second, then took a seat at the counter.
Tina raised an eyebrow. Two cute guys in ten minutes? I should play the lottery.
She was about to head over when Leather Jacket stood up and swaggered toward her, holding a single red rose like he'd just invented romance. Tina stopped short, blinking at him.
"Uh, hi?" she said, gripping her tray like a shield. "You need something?"
He grinned, leaning in a little too close. "I couldn't help myself. You're the prettiest thing in here. Had to come say hi."
Tina snorted, loud enough that a guy at the next table looked up. "Wow, did you practice that in the mirror? I bet you say that to all the waitresses."
His smile didn't budge. "Only the ones who look like you. I'm Jake, by the way. Thought maybe this rose could convince you to let me take you out."
She glanced at the flower, then back at him, her lips twitching. "A rose, huh? What's next, a poem? 'Roses are red, I'm kinda sleazy'?"
Jake laughed, like he thought she was flirting. "Come on, give me a shot. Dinner, maybe? I promise I'm a good time."
Tina tilted her head, sizing him up. "A good time? Honey, I get enough excitement dodging spilled coffee and cranky customers. But points for confidence."
Ginny, who'd been watching the whole thing, leaned over the counter. "Tina, he's trying! Maybe don't scare him off yet."
"Scare him off?" Tina shot back, smirking. "Gin, if he can't handle me now, he's not surviving dessert."
Jake wasn't fazed. He pulled out his phone, still grinning. "How about your number? I'll call you, prove I'm worth it."
Tina opened her mouth to say no—nicely, of course—when the guy from the counter stood up and walked over. He moved with this calm, steady vibe, like he wasn't in a hurry but knew exactly where he was going. Up close, he was even better-looking—dark eyes, strong jaw, the kind of face you'd notice twice.
"Excuse me," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I don't want to butt in, but I think you should know something."
Tina and Jake both turned to him. Jake frowned. "Who are you, man?"
The guy didn't blink. "I was outside when your friends were talking. They've got a bet going—two hundred bucks says you'll get her into bed by the end of the week."
Tina's mouth fell open. "Wait, what?"
Jake's face went from cocky to panicked in two seconds flat. "That's— No, it's not like that! It was just a stupid—"
"A bet?" Tina cut him off, her voice rising. "Two hundred dollars? Are you kidding me? What am I, a slot machine?"
"Look, I didn't mean—" Jake stammered, backing up.
"Didn't mean what? To make me the punchline of your little bro party?" Tina crossed her arms, glaring. "Take your rose and your cheap bet and get out of my diner."
Jake hesitated, then bolted for the door, leaving the rose on a table. The bell jingled as he disappeared.
Tina exhaled, her hands shaking a little. She turned to the guy who'd stepped in. "Okay, wow. Thanks for that. I owe you one."
He smiled, and it was the kind of smile that made her stomach flip—warm, real, not flashy. "No problem. I just figured you should know what he was up to."
She studied him for a second. He was polite, but not stiff. Handsome, but not full of himself. "I'm Tina," she said, sticking out her hand. "You got a name, or do I just call you my knight in shining armor?"
He shook her hand, his grip solid. "Vincenzo. Enzo, if you want."
"Enzo," she said, testing it out. "Fancy. You Italian or just faking it with that outfit?"
He chuckled. "Italian. Family's from Naples."
"Ooh, a classy hero," she teased, her sarcasm softening into a grin. "Seriously, though, that was cool of you. I'd have felt pretty dumb falling for his game."
Enzo shrugged. "I don't like liars. You didn't deserve that."
Tina nodded, liking him more by the second. "Well, you saved me from a disaster date, so thanks."
He glanced at the door, then back at her. "I should head out. But maybe I'll stop by again sometime."
"Yeah, maybe," she said, a little bummed he was leaving already.
He gave her one last smile—God, that smile—and walked out. Tina watched him go, feeling weirdly off-balance.
Ginny popped up beside her, elbowing her hard. "Tina! What are you doing? Go after him!"
"What?" Tina laughed, turning to her. "Why?"
"Because he's hot, he just saved your ass, and you were totally checking him out!" Ginny's eyes were wide with excitement. "Come on, don't let him get away!"
"He was just being nice," Tina said, but she couldn't stop smiling. "I don't even know him."
"So what? That's how it starts!" Ginny grabbed Tina's apron and yanked it off her. "Go! I'll cover for you."
Tina rolled her eyes but didn't fight it. "Fine. But if this flops, you're buying me coffee."
"Deal!" Ginny shoved her toward the door. "Move!"
Tina stepped outside, the evening air cool against her skin. She spotted Enzo a few feet away, unlocking a sleek black car. Her heart did a little jump. Okay, here goes nothing.
"Hey, Enzo!" she called, jogging over.
He turned, looking surprised. "Tina?"
She stopped in front of him, suddenly nervous. "Yeah, hi. I just— Thanks again, you know? And, uh, if you're not busy, maybe we could get coffee sometime? My treat, for the rescue."
His smile came back, slow and easy, and Tina forgot how to breathe for a second. "