Thank you to generaltay (twice!), Yoohyuk, Feather-Crowned Queen, and Guest Gabi for your reviews!

WARNING: This chapter may make you want to cry, scream, or throw things at me! Possibly in a good way, possibly in a how-dare-you-end-it-there way. ;)

Chapter 8

Sakura had one more friend that night after she left the bar—Sai. They talked for hours, the entire time Sakura sat until she realized Ino wasn't coming home any time soon. She learned he had always loved art and lately has been interested in drawing people during their "natural habits," as he called it. The bar had been his recent camping space because of all the interesting people that came through. Sakura told him to come to the coffee shop sometime; it would be quiet and he could draw a different crowd of people there.

After Sai told Sakura about Kakashi warning his employees to treat her well—and apparently pay her tab—she didn't think about Kakashi surprise news at all. Sai had kept her distracted well enough, which she was grateful for. But as she lay in bed that night, she couldn't help but let her thoughts wander.

What would she say to him? How would she act around him? How should she act? Did he want something from her? Why did he have such a soft spot for her? Was it odd that he was at least ten years older than her? What did age have to do with anything if she wasn't going to date him? Who said anything about dating, anyway?

Sakura fell asleep with none of these questions answered.

Sakura woke just before ten o'clock the next morning. Thankfully Sundays were typically reserved for high schoolers, the bottom of the totem pole, to work. She didn't know if she could handle post-drinking shifts two days in a row.

While checking her phone, a text came in from Sai. Sakura wanted to laugh at how delightfully abnormal Sai could be. No guy texted the next day unless they wanted to look desperate. Only Sai wouldn't care about that. She remembered how he had asked to draw her the night before and immediately apologized for being weird. Apparently being odd was something Sai was working on, though she thought he was wonderful the way he was.

Sai wanted to spend the afternoon together, suggesting they go for coffee then look at art and book stores—catering to both their pleasures. He would be at her apartment in thirty minutes, so she jumped to get ready.

The past two nights Sakura had to worry about dressing to please Ino. Today she could wear whatever she wanted. She slipped on her only pair of blue jeans and a tight-fitting gray t-shirt. It was the distant cousin of her work uniform of black pants and a white top. Close enough for comfort but different enough for originality.

She worried if leaving her hair straight and down was good enough. Should she curl it for him, or even make waves like he drew in the sketch of her? Her regular flat hair was plenty for friends hanging out, but if this was a date, she would need to do something more special.

Was it a date? Normally guys wouldn't tell Sakura if they were going on a date — getting coffee was definitely a date — but Sai seemed to be the type to make that clear upfront. Coffee and shopping was casual, yes? It must not have been a date, which was probably for the best. She had enough trouble sorting the intentions of her boss. She didn't need to worry about Sai, too.

Sai knocked on her door just as she was sending a text to Ino, making sure she wasn't kidnapped by the guy she chased down at the bar. On second thought, he should have been scared of Ino. She could be fiesty and unpredictable, especially if she didn't get her way.

"You look pleasantly comfortable," Sai said as they walked to the coffee shop. He was wearing khakis and a white t-shirt, which must have been his version of pleasantly comfortable, very similar to Sakura. Simple and efficient.

She liked Sai.

"Thank you." She looked back at him while she reached for the coffee shop door. "Not everyone appreciates comfortable."

"Sakura, watch-"

Just as Sai was speaking, Sakura bumped into someone and arms wrapped around her. She whipped her head back and gasped at who was holding her.

Kakashi Freaking Hatake, CEO.

"Pardon me," Kakashi said. Sakura could image a wild smirk under his scarf. "Please, go ahead."

Sakura walked through the door, looking back at Kakashi as if he would pull out a knife and stab her. He didn't, but he might as well have with how he threw himself in front of Sai and let the door nearly slam in her friend's face. It would have felt the same.

"Sai, are you OK?" Sakura asked, opening the door. She gave him a smile, then shot a glare at Kakashi. "I'm sorry, sometimes rude people come here."

Sakura didn't know what was wrong with Kakashi. Other than the massive amount of hot hair that must go to his head from being an important CEO. An important jackass CEO, she corrected herself.

The three walked to the counter together, which she found awkward. Sai was standing beside her, naturally, but Kakashi seemed to make a point to walk slow enough that she brushed against his back every few steps. She held back her curses each time, trying to remember that he was her boss.

"Large coffee with half almond milk, half 2%. Foamy. Three espresso shots," Kakashi told the girl at the counter.

"Okay," the girl said slowly. "Large coffee with almond and low fat-"

"Almond and 2%," Kakashi corrected her.

Sakura barely contained her groan. She didn't need to peak around Kakashi to know Moegi was working, the girl that had proved herself useless on so many occasions.

"Right, almond and 2%. Two espresso shots-"

"For the love of — move!" Sakura said, pushing past Kakashi to the counter. She reached over to push Moegi to the side, then scooted over the counter on her butt. "Everyone is useless," she muttered.

Sakura threw on a pair of gloves and started making Kakashi's drink, one that she knew better than her own order. As she was pouring milk, she heard Kakashi say, "isn't she just the best?" to Sai. She rolled her eyes.

Drink in his hands, Sakura shooed Kakashi away. He winked at her as he moved towards his back table. "I'm going to kill," she started.

"Sakura, we're next," Sai said gently. If he had a comment about Kakashi or Sakura's behaviors, he kept it to himself. "Just a green tea," he told Moegi.

Sakura relaxed a little as she smiled. She knew Sai would be the tea type. She ordered a hot chocolate for herself, and the pair went to sit down. On the opposite side of the room as Kakashi.

"Is your banter friendly or malicious?" Sai asked.

Sakura snorted against her cup. Banter was hardly the word that came to mind when she thought of her interactions with Kakashi, at least not anymore. She may have called it that before, but now she meant every eye roll and sarcastic remark. "It's all real now."

"Because he likes you?"

"Tch, no." She brought her cup to her lips to try and hide the blush creeping up her cheeks. "Kakashi is my boss. That's it."

Sai's eyebrows pinched together. "No," he said in that slow voice he used when he wanted Sakura to really understand. "I don't believe I've personally offended him, as we've never met until today, so he must be jealous."

Jealous.

When Sakura was younger she tried eating ten saltine crackers without water, a challenge she and Ino saw on the Internet. The way the crackers stuck to her dry mouth was exactly how the word sat with her now.

Kakashi couldn't be jealous. He was that annoying customer that ordered complicated things and let her complain about her job.

But now everything has changed. He's her boss, one that can't seem to leave her alone. Because he has a soft spot for her. Because he gives her special treatment at his bar and lets her drink for free and lets her dance real close.

Because he's jealous. Because he likes her.

Kakashi Freaking Hatake, CEO likes Sakura Haruno. Sai had to be right.

"I just don't see it," she told Sai. She finished the last sip of her drink, and checked to make sure his was also empty. "Let's go. I want to show you my favorite bookstore."

Phew! That was a lot, huh?

It's 10 AM now for me. If I get some awesome reviews I'll post it later tonight! You have until 9 PM before I'm AFK. Good luck! May the odds be ever in your favor!