With the party slowly winding down, and the guests leaving, AJ managed to get himself back into the kitchen. He at least wanted one last look at the lady.
He got an even better deal; he walked out the backdoor behind her, grinning while he removed the doorstop and let it close behind him silently. Leaning against the building casually, he watched as she helped the workers load the van with the leftovers.
"You do work hard, don't you?" He questioned softly, stepping out of his hiding place once the van left.
She jumped and turned quickly, once her eyes focused on him she stiffened her back rigidly. "I work as hard as the next, I suppose." She answered indifferently, her shoulders shrugging carelessly.
Without waiting for him to respond, she went to the door and pulled on the handle… nothing happened. Looking over at him, she glared. "Let me guess," she started sarcastically. "Your doing?"
AJ grinned slightly, "I didn't want anyone to break in." He replied innocently. "The owners are acquaintance's of mine, and you can never be too sure what desperate people would do these days."
Wordlessly, he stepped closer to her, and she stepped back. "Tell me about it." She murmured dryly. She stumbled clumsily on a tin can, only to have him catching her around her waist with both hands.
She glowered at him. "Do you treat every girl, who has the unfortunate tendency to meet you, like this?" She questioned before jerking from his grip.
AJ smiled at her; "Yeah, but you're special." He returned. "I've never brought anyone here before." His hands gestured to the dimly lit alley they were in, and the reeking garbage bin next to them.
"Doubtful." She gibed her eyes reproachful, as she accessed his form. "Highly doubtful."
The smile he gave her showed that he ignored her comment. "She won't do anything to you or your business, Brynn." He said softly. "I talked her for a little bit, and she has definitely assured me, that if anything, she would try and help your gross in customers."
Her eyes widened in shock; "You did that?" She murmured. About to apologize for treating him so bad because of her mistake and foul mood, her gaze narrowed first. "Why?" She asked curiously.
AJ studied her for a moment, "Because I don't think you did anything wrong."
She gave a rueful smile, clasped her hands together, and said sarcastically with false wide-eyed graciousness, "Gee, thanks, mister."
When the silence stretched between them, she sighed and dropped her hands, "Alright, what's the catch though? What am I supposed to do to pay you in return for your... generosity?" She choked on the last word.
He shook his head, "Nothing."
She scoffed, "Nothing is ever for free." She turned however to walk out of the alley.
"You know, I may have developed an active interest in catering now." He stated casually, his hands stuffing in his pants pockets.
Her eyes flew to his in question, was this the payback he wanted?
"Or maybe just the caterer." He wriggled his eyebrows suggestively, his grin sly.
She smirked and stalked off, "Later, whoever you are!" She called over her shoulder.
He grinned, "The name's AJ!" He shouted out to her.
Brynn halted for a second, without turning back she shook her head and continued on. Your imagination. She chided.