Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 126580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
He closed the door, but it was soft.
My stomach was in knots, and I didn’t even know why. I mean, I knew why, but I didn’t at the same time.
He motioned to the chair in front of me as he went to sit behind his desk. “Sit.”
“No.”
“Please.” He leaned back, pinching his nose a second time. “Just, please sit.”
He had a love seat in the corner, and I perched on the armrest, giving him a glare and then crossing my arms over my chest. “I did nothing wrong. If you’re firing me, then—”
“I’m not.” He held a hand up. “I’m sorry. I was further explained the situation, and the mess up wasn’t on my end or yours, but it’s been handled. I called you in because I wanted to apologize. Tristian West is a big deal here. The biggest that comes around, and I didn’t handle any of this the right way. I sincerely apologize to you.”
I was annoyed.
This wasn’t supposed to be my stressful job. I had a day job for that, and I didn’t need to put up with this bullshit.
“Get out!”
I flinched again, unable to not hear that or not see his face as he spewed that.
“I do need to ask.” Anthony’s eyes were heavy, resting on me. “What’s your relationship with him?”
“I don’t have one.”
“But you said—”
“It’s honestly nothing. We met a couple times, by accident, and the last time I told him to stay away from me. That’s it.”
His mouth dropped, and he jerked forward. “You told him to stay away from you?”
I rolled my eyes. It was close enough to what I said. “Why is that so shocking?”
“Because—” He shook his head. “Never mind. It’s obvious you actually don’t know him, and knowing that now, I think this will be fine. I’ll keep you on the floor in the future and send someone else up instead.”
Fine. Right.
I was still pissed by the whole experience.
I stood up. “Can I go? I’m tired, and I need to check on my roommate.”
“Oh yeah.”
I started for the door, but he called my name.
“What?” I asked.
“Kelly did really well tonight, but let her know that if she fucks the new bartender and it ends badly, I don’t tolerate drama. One of them will be kicked out.”
My lips thinned. I was guessing since I was getting this message at who would be getting the boot.
“You’re an imbecile. See you tomorrow.”
I left, not waiting around to see his reaction. I was one of his favorites because I didn’t take shit, and tonight he’d made me take his shit. I was heading to the staff room to see if Kelly was still there. I’d left my phone in my locker, and she was able to leave earlier than me. Shot girls got to leave as soon as the bar closed. They didn’t need to do the cleanup, and it took me a little longer to go through everything since Justin had been manning my section.
I wasn’t shocked to see the locker room was empty when I went inside.
I grabbed my purse and pulled my phone out.
I was heading for the back parking lot when I heard Anthony call my name.
I stopped, but I didn’t turn around.
Could this night get any worse?
“Jess.”
I pivoted, my head back and my chin up.
He had a hand on his doorway, half stepping out into the hallway with a funny look on his face. “You got someone waiting for you in the back.”
My nostrils flared. “The back where?”
“Out the back. The lot. The vehicle there is for you.”
I frowned.
He gave me a nod. “See you tomorrow,” he said before disappearing back in his office.
My phone buzzed, and I read the texts.
Kelly: Hey! Are you okay?
Kelly: I couldn’t find you and Justin offered to walk me home. You usually have your car. Do you want me to stay?
Kelly: Someone said Anthony is talking to you. I’ll wait.
Me: Are you still here?
Kelly: I’m with Justin. We’re at his apartment. He lives super close. I wasn’t sure how long you’d be. Hold on. I’m on my way back.
Me: No. It’s fine. I’m not up for conversation anyways.
Kelly: You sure?
Me: Yeah. You going to hang with Justin for a while?
Kelly: Is that okay? I’ve got my coat on. Give me a few minutes and I’ll be there.
Me: No. Stay. Hang with Justin. I’m heading home.
Kelly: Okay. By the way, I love this job!
My phone buzzed once more, but I was assuming it was Kelly saying goodbye or good night, so I put it back in my purse and pushed out the door. I’d taken one step, not sure how I felt knowing someone was waiting for me.
When the SUV door opened, I stopped because it was him.
Tristian West.
He nodded to the empty seat beside him. “Get in.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
TRACE
“I have a problem, and I need you to fix it for me. Can you do that for me?”