Page 25 of Man of the Year

He’s cute. The younger version of him would have been labeled a “golden boy.” I’m sure women are all over him. But I have a feeling he has little to no time for a personal life.

“Listen,” he says, concerned, “if anyone mistreats you, let me know, and I’ll pass the word to the boss. Honestly, you are doing Julien and his team a favor by helping.”

“It’s all right.”

Nick nods repeatedly. “This job is easier than saving lives, you know.”

I frown, then realize he’s making a joke about the day we met and instantly burst into laughter. “Right.”

His boyish grin, along with the cute tilt of his head, instantly cheers me up. I wish we could hang out more. If everyone in this house were like him, this would’ve been an ideal job. Besides scrubbing bathrooms, of course.

“Wanna get together tonight?” he asks, his gaze on me somewhat hesitant.

Ah, there it is. I knew this was coming. Nick is a good catch. Charming, kind, considerate. I could probably get some background on Rosenberg from Nick if I played my cards right. No fraternizing is a rule at any workplace. But I’m sure, if I wanted to, I could hook up with Nick, and he’d make this slide past the rules and the boss. Do I need this right now?

The detective’s warning sounds more sinister now. Maybe I should reconsider my dating rules. What happened to Cara makes me want to run a background check on everyone.

Nick’s gaze on me is hopeful—he knows I’m evaluating him, and he wants to hear a yes.

For a second, I consider a date with him. If Nick lives in the city, it might be easier to bail out if the date goes wrong. I go out, I don’t like it, I split. I’ll just have to come up with a valid excuse so there’s no tension at work.

“Where do you live?” I ask, mulling over the options.

Nick tilts his head at some spot vaguely behind him. “Right there.”

I don’t get it. “Right there where?”

He points to the small structure behind the mansion. “The guest house.”

“Really?There?”

“Yeah.” He looks down and kicks the gravel with the tip of his fancy shoe. “The boss requested that I move closer to him. He’s needy.” Nick chuckles. “He also has a tendency to request me at odd times, in the middle of the night, and whatnot.”

“Do you even have days off?”

Nick shrugs. “Not really.”

“Wow, that’s tough.”

“That’s life. I get paid well, and I need money. Just like you.”

“Things we do for money, huh?” I joke, wondering if I ever imagined, while working three jobs and putting myself through college, that I’d be cleaning toilets in a mansion at the age of twenty-seven.

“Yeah, so, I can’t invite you in,” Nick says apologetically, and I almost feel bad for him. “My place is not fancy, to say the least. Plus, it’s on the premises. Believe it or not, the boss keeps a close eye on things. I wouldn’t want…”

Nick pauses as if trying to choose the right words, then scratches his eyebrow with his forefinger, still twirling the keys in his other hand. There’s something awkward about it, as if he’s nervous or trying not to reveal too much.

“It’s… Yeah, I like to take my personal life outside this place,” he says. “To get away from here as much as possible, you know?”

He starts twirling the keys between his fingers faster. He looks almost slightly embarrassed, or uneasy, or… scared? I can’t figure it out. But he avoids meeting my eyes, and there’s no trace of humor on his face.

Rosenberg’s right-hand man doesn’t like being at The Splendors? This is another red flag.

“So what do you say?” Nick’s hopeful smile is suddenly back.

I feel like Nick is desperately trying to get away from this place, if only for an evening. Any other time, I’d jump at the opportunity.

But that’s a no. I don’t know what his schedule is like, but I’m doing a thirteen-hour workday and thirteen more hours tomorrow. There’s a high possibility of me cleaning up after the party on Sunday. That’s aside from driving to the hospital every morning to see Cara. The last thing I can think about is a romantic evening. I definitely shouldn’t get involved with anyone around here.

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