Page 35 of Jagger

My mind shifted to the conversation I’d had with Bella. While my gut had told me she was hiding something significant, the fact she’d agreed to consider waiting tables while the shit settled alleviated part of my concerns about her leaving. “I’ve got a new employee you need to meet. She’s going to be working for you, waiting tables.”

“Now you’re interested in hiring employees?” Hunter asked, a hint of his normal arrogance sliding into his tone. I was used to that, our conversations often going off the deep end from anger and frustration.

“She needs a job. She’s a smart lady and my guess is that some of your employees didn’t come in today.”

With the restaurants being open basically eighteen hours a day, Hunter had been forced to try to hire additional staff.

“Fine. You’re right. Is she experienced? Is she any good?”

“How the shit would I know? You just need to talk with her.”

“You’re bringing her by?”

Another deep sigh threatened to give away the fact I knew her. “I can. If you’ll get off the damn phone and allow me to finish my job.”

“Fine, grouchy pants. Do your thing. Just remember Santa arrives at two.”

My teeth were now aching from how hard I’d clenched my jaw. “I’ll be there. You just keep your end of the bargain. Got it?”

“Oh, I got it. You owe me.”

I didn’t owe shit to anyone, but I let it go. After shoving my phone into my back pocket, I resumed shoveling. The shot of electricity less than three minutes later wasn’t as shocking as it had been the first two times, but it was just as disconcerting.

If the beautiful lady thought what had happened the night before meant anything other than feeling good for a change, she would be sorely wrong. I would never care about anyone any longer.

“Would you like some coffee?” she asked, although I was surprised she’d waited a couple of minutes to ask.

I wasn’t going to respond, acting as if I didn’t hear her, but I also wasn’t as young as I used to be. The actions I’d been forced into had aged my body as much as the horror of survival had nearly destroyed my mind.

“Sure. I’ll be there in a minute.”

My minute turned into at least ten. At least the sidewalk wasn’t a hazard zone, the steps clear of a single flake of snow until the wind started blowing.

When I finally walked inside, she didn’t bother looking in my direction. She was busy reading to Cally from one of the books I’d purchased. It was tough not to stare at her as she animated every page. The moment she finally acknowledged my presence by slowly glancing over her shoulder, a feeling of guilt washed over me.

Why the hell should I feel guilty about anything? Bella was a big girl. As she’d reminded me several times before, she could take care of herself.

I stormed into the kitchen with heavy feet, finding a coffee pod in the Keurig machine waiting for me to press the button. When had coffeepots become an issue? I hated these things. But I pressed the damn button, the aches and pains requiring something to warm me up.

With the damn thing happily bubbling, I took two strides toward the window. I’d never been good at pillow talk after sex, the thought of romancing the situation nothing I could handle. But the way we’d been together, the incredible amount of passion had caught me off guard.

That wasn’t a good place for me to be in.

With the coffee finishing slurping, I pulled out some half and half, freezing the second she walked into the room.

She said nothing at first and I didn’t move. This just wasn’t going to work. I was grateful the roads were being cleared. I hadnothing to say to her. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I had no clue what words I could say that would matter. I liked the girl. Maybe too much. That just wasn’t a smart thing for me to allow to continue.

“Were you serious about the waitress position?”

“Yeah,” I said without turning around. “I just spoke with my brother, who runs the various restaurants. I’ll take you to the resort in a little while. You can have a chance to talk with him.”

“What about Cally?”

I knew what she was asking. Why was conversing with her so damn difficult this morning? “The company has a daycare system free for employees and even guests can drop their kids off for a day or two when needed.”

“Oh. That sounds great.”

The awkwardness was worse than the day before. I still couldn’t face her, returning to the window to survey the amount of snow that had fallen.

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