Page 17 of Submission

“She’s been getting close to the servers, trying to rearrange their schedules. I’ve caught her changing the schedule board a few times.”

“Changes to my schedule?” I respond incredulously.

“Yeah, and she encourages the staff to come to her with their issues rather than you. Billy and the kitchen staff like you, so they don’t do that, but most of the servers are young, and they seem a little resentful of you.”

“Has she implied anything about how she might think I got this position?”

Gage’s eyes crinkle in an easy grin. “You mean, did she ask me whether you slept with the boss or not?”

I narrow my eyes at him, and he shrugs. “She may have suggested it and I tried showing her that I was open to the idea of chatting about it.”

“With any success?”

“She’s ambitious but smart. She didn’t reveal much because I think she’s feeling me out, especially because I’m a man. She must be under some sort of impression that you have all the men in this club hypnotized.”

“I see,” I say, forcing myself to remain calm.

This has been a long-running theme in my life, and I swear I don’t understand it. Most women despise me for wielding some imaginary power over the guys in my life. Little do they knowthat before I met Hunter, most of the men in my life chewed me up and spit me out. I have no power over anyone.

“Thanks for this.”

Gage just shrugs before stopping at the entrance of the kitchen. “Mr. Middleton told me to make myself available to you, just nottooavailable.”

He’s grinning at the last part as he walks away, leaving me to wonder about the exact nature of Gage’s relationship with Hunter. As I stare after him, it occurs to me that Gage might not be the simple hire that I initially thought he was. I mean, if he was transferred from Chicago, who’s to say that he doesn’t work for Hunter in some other capacity the way Lars and Parker do?

I catch Diana side-eyeing me. I know she’s going to try to grill Gage over what we talked about. If the man is smart, which I get the feeling he is, he won’t say anything.

Before I walk through the double door entrance of the kitchen, I hear a familiar voice from behind me say, “Well, hello, Megan. I didn’t know you worked here.”

The voice makes my spinal cord stiffen, and I turn around to see Ashley standing there with a group of her friends from school, all of whom I recognize. Ricky is standing next to her quietly, his arm around her shoulders. Dimly, I wonder if they were dating the whole time he and I were involved as I absorb the shock of their sudden presence.

When I’m going to be done with this bitch?

“Aren’t you going to welcome us?” Ashley sneers at me. “I should’ve known that you’d be working as a waitress at a place like this. It suits you.”

I blink, forcing myself out of my dazed state, before responding tightly, “I’m the manager here.”

“The manager?” Ashley scoffs as the others snicker. “You don’t have to lie to impress us, Megan. Now go get us a booth before I call over theactualmanager.”

I’m so close to reaching my limit with Ashley and her elitist nonsense. She’s nothing but an insecure bully, but I won’t cause a scene in my place of business, especially when the servers are looking for any excuse to justify their assumptions about me.

“Please get this group a private booth.” I gesture towards Diana since she’s doing her best to eavesdrop, anyway.

I’m about to walk away when Ashley’s fingers suddenly wrap around my wrist. “I asked you to do it, bitch.”

I whip my head around and give her a cold look.

I’ve had enough.

We aren’t at school.

This is my turf, not hers.

“Watch your hands and your tone, or I’ll get you tossed out on your bony little ass.” I yank my hand away from her roughly, enjoying the way her eyes fill up with rage at my dismissive behavior.

“Do you know who I am?” Ashley steps into my face, her eyes sparking with anger.

“Hey, Ash’.” Ricky attempts to stop her, but she swats him away, ignoring his interference.

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