I woke up late the next morning, to the sound of Jesse knocking on the door, calling from the other side. He needed a ride to meet his P.O. later that day, but my shift wouldn't end until a half hour before his appointment. Solution: Bring Jesse to Work Day.
Forty minutes later, I hopped my way out the front door, struggling with my high heel, the last of a donut clenched between my teeth. Like clockwork every morning, Billy waited patiently at his station. Jesse walked right up, barked in his face, and that was that-Billy fell from the ladder, again.
Jesse snickered. "Man, does he ever learn?"
"Well, he's home-schooled, so apparently not. Hurry up!"
My silver-trimmed, maroon uniform matched the day's air-clean and crisp. A watery sun revolved in an ashen sky, while a cool autumn breeze stirred brine from the sea. Soon I would have to put my skirt away, pairing the hotel's blazer with slacks instead. Up ahead, Jesse strutted, more than comfortable in a t-shirt and jeans, his chain slung on his hip.
In the car, Jesse fiddled with the radio until Charli XCX could be heard, cooing about gold coins. I checked my curls in the rear-view, confirming all baby hairs were still on fleek before backing from the drive.
"We should go to the lake this weekend, before it freezes over."
I stared at Jesse, struggling to hide my alarm. "You mean, like, just... me and you?"
Jesse shrugged, snagging the Ray Bans I kept on the dash. "Why not?"
"Okay, but, um, what about Kerry?"
Another shrug. "What about her?"
"Well, I just... don't know how she'd feel about you and I hanging out. Together. Alone." Lies. I knew exactly how that vile girl felt.
"Don't be a prat, Shar. Kerry doesn't decide who I hang out with-even if we were getting serious. But since we're on the subject, would it bother you if we were?"
My fingers tightened around the wheel. "Course' not. Why would it?"
T-b-h, I was still asking myself that question when we arrived at the Maison.
La Maison du Champagne was a beautiful, ornate hotel with an on-site restaurant catering to the wealthy. As a concierge, it was my job to keep the guests in line and happy, a task that was about as easy as aligning the sun with the moon.
Inside, twenty-year-old Aidan Waite manned the front desk, currently in the process of walking a guest through check-out. Aidan worked in the guest services department, and was also an old high school acquaintance. I liked him because he was funny, smart, and people-conscious. He had a heart made of gold, and it didn't hurt that he was considerable eye candy.
Jesse and I entered the check-out station just as a guest walked off with their receipt. "Hey, Shar!" Aidan closed the register, offering a friendly smile. His short-cut hair was the same shade as his puppy-brown eyes, the small, silver hoop in his nose bright as his knowing gaze. "And hel-lo, Jesse. Dude, you're out!"
"Wotcha, mate." Jesse hopped on the counter, kicking his Vans back and forth.
Aidan grinned. "Welcome back. I'd tell my boyfriend if I was sure he wouldn't leave me for you."
"And I respect that." Jesse shot him the thumbs up.
Rolling my eyes at Aidan's crush and Jesse's vanity, I used the register to punch in. "Any calls?"
Aidan nodded. "6-2-6 rang--Mr. and Mrs. Blakely had another 'incident'. Today's their 20th anniversary and he got the wrong flowers. Long story short, Mrs. B needs roses and Mr. B needs an antihistamine."
YOU ARE READING
The Bad Boy's Chain
Romantizm❝I could throw as much water as I needed. I could hold my breath and dive in. Jesse would burn me every time.❞ When Jess lands himself in hot water, Shar has no choice but to jump after him. He needs cash, quick, but the only way to get it is to...
