Page 21 of Forbidden Desires

“Y’all, it’s not like I was in love with the guy. I just expect a little more respect than that, you know.” She shrugs, polishing off her drink.

I finish off the last of my shrimp and grits while I take in the place. I can see us spending a lot of time here over the next few months. The food’s delicious and the staff are super friendly.

“So, Gisele, what unfortunate series of events brings you to our sweet little town?” asks Emerson, popping another fry in her mouth.

“Just needed a change.” I shrug, not wanting to get into it. As nice as these girls are, they don’t need to hear about mycontrolling father. And after his call this morning, I would prefer not to think about it.

“In other words, another shitty boyfriend you needed to move halfway across the country to get away from,” Paisley adds, probably referring to what I admitted to her this morning.

“Something like that. The last guy I dated was definitely someone I don’t want to bump into anytime soon, and we used to work together.”

“Yuck. Well, we’re glad you’re here.” Mae smiles. “You make a sunny addition to our little group.”

“What did you think of your first day at The Alexander?” Emerson asks. “I’m sorry you got thrown in the deep end and I had to leave you with Brody, but there was a mix-up with some other new staff I needed to get sorted.”

“I guess it was different from what I was expecting, but I thought I would be on the front desk, not talking to brides about their weddings. All in all, I liked it.”

I see a radiant smile on her face in return. She’s thrilled to know I’m not about to quit on her like the others. “Turns out you’re perfect for it. And if you ever need anything, I’m just next door. Events are my baby, and I have grown it to where it is now. I wouldn’t leave it in just anyone’s hands. I have total faith in you.”

I return her smile, so grateful she does, and I really want to be good at this job. Today was kind of exhilarating when I wasn’t shitting myself. “I will do my best for you.”

“What do you think of Brody?” asks Paisley, her lips turning up at the sides into a sassy smirk. What does she mean by that?

I glance around the table, wondering what I’m supposed to say here. Why did she even ask me what I think of him, in front of his sister? Can they all see right through me, and they know he screwed my brains out back in New York? I search for words that don’t make me look as guilty as I feel. “Um, he’s okay, I guess,”I say, not wanting to give away how well I really know him or what I think of him. Like the fact that he is a conceited jerk who accused me of stalking him and moving states just to be close to him. I can’t believe his audacity. Even if I thought something like that, I would never say it to someone else.

“Is he? Most of the staff think he’s a major jerk,” says Mae, her head tilted as she takes me in.

“Really, why?” I ask, needing to know what the rest of them think.

“He came in a month ago, started throwing his weight around, and he has been a pain in everyone’s ass since,” says Paisley. “I only flitter in and place flowers and even I know that.”

Emerson gives her a look like she’s being harsh. “Hush your mouth. You have to admit, since he took over, we’re at ninety-five percent capacity every night instead of fifty. He might be a grumpy asshole, but he knows what he’s doing.”

“Do you think he’s the reason all the other coordinators quit?” I ask. Emerson might be his sister but even she seems to think he’s an ass. Hopefully she will tell me the truth about what I’m in for.

They look at each other, and I don’t need them to answer, their faces say it all. I swallow the lump in my throat as panic sets in. I need this job to work out. I know I nearly walked away twice today, but that was my emotions controlling my actions. If I actually did quit, I would be good for a month tops on my savings. I gave up everything I had back in the city on a whim hoping I could find something more fitting for my life. But maybe my parents were right and this will be the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. I sip my cocktail, trying not to panic.

“I’m sure it will be different with you,” Emerson offers. She must have noticed the look of panic on my face. I don’t know how I could have gotten him so wrong that night. He seemed sweet and caring when he swooped in and saved me from Dallas,but maybe that’s just his act to get into girls’ pants. The asshole boss I saw today looked more like who he really is.

“Hey, girls, thought I might find you here tonight,” the guy I met today in the restaurant, Elliot, says, sliding in next to Mae. Another guy slides in by Paisley’s side. He smiles toward me kindly.

“Gisele, this is Parker. You’ll see him around work as well; he’s part of the fix-up crew, as well as being Paisley’s brother. Gisele’s the new event coordinator,” Mae explains.

“Nice to meet you, Gisele,” Parker says with a genuine smile that tells me he means it. He extends his hand for a friendly shake. I can’t help but smile back. He’s handsome in a boy-next-door kind of way. Shaggy chestnut-colored hair that curls a little on the sides and caring deep brown eyes.

“Can I ask what the fix-up crew is?”

Mae giggles, winking at Parker. “It’s the name we’ve given to this lot.”

“When my daddy died and left the hotel to me and Brody, it was a disaster. No one knew how bad he let things get, but it was just months away from financial ruin. I enlisted some help from our friends, and now we’re all working on fixing it up together.

“Parker is an engineer and property developer, so he’s working on bringing the hotel into the twenty-first century,” Emerson explains as Parker nods, pride in his eyes. “Elliot trained as a chef in the Army; his family also owns a handful of restaurants in town, so he’s our food guy, working with his daddy to fix up the menu for the restaurant and our wedding-and-events side of the business. We also have Noah, who travels up from Jacksonville to help out when he can. And, of course, Brody does all the financial stuff and management.”

Mae covers her mouth like it’s a secret. “He doesn’t like to think of himself as part of the fix-up crew.” She laughs.

I nod, thinking that sounds about right. I don’t see him as a part of anyone’s crew; he seems like more of a loner, sitting in that office of his, brooding.

As we all settle in to chatter about their lives here, I’m starting to relax and have fun. These guys are all so nice, accepting me into their group already. Just as I start to think maybe I can do this, I see Brody walk through the open door, and I involuntarily roll my eyes. “Is there no other spot to eat dinner in town?” I mutter, mostly to myself.

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