Page 9 of Burn

When he notices me, Larry cocks his head to the side and clicks his pen, notebook laid out before him the instant he sits down. “Mila, you’re here today?”

Everyone’s so perceptive.

Larry applied for my position too. He almost got it but my graduation with a Master’s Degree in Hospitality Management at the same time the position became available derailed his chance for the job.

Don’t get me wrong. I get why that would chafe some people’s asses, I really do. But the facts are between my degree and my lifelong exposure to this world, I’m completely qualified for the job. Some people just need to get over themselves.

Taking a large bite from my muffin, I chew slowly and then smile. “Well,Larry, here I sit, so yes, I’m here today.”

Soon enough, the rest of the senior department heads come in and before any of them can askwhyI’m here this morning, we get started on what’s happening over the next few days. We have a couple of VIP’s coming in this week including an FMX motorcycle racer, Shade Sawyer, who always throws the hotel off balance. Mostly because he brings with him not only a full entourage of friends, family, agents and business managers but also a string of woman who he expects should have access to his room at all times. And don’t even get me started on the nightly parties in the penthouse suite which usually require us to remodel afterward. Ever seen chairs glued to the ceiling?

Have Shade Sawyer stay at our hotel and you’ll find them there and a monkey in the bathroom taking a bubble bath. Shit you not. The monkey was adorable. I wanted to keep him, well, until he shit all over the room.

Why do we put up with it? Because money talks and he’s got it in spades.

The meeting goes smoothly, which is surprising because it usually never does.

I check in with guest services to make sure everything’s set for Shade’s arrival, and then with the facilities manager. So far today, everything seems to be running smoothly.

I’m settling into my office when Scarlet comes barreling through the door, eyes wide and cheeks flushed. “Holy shit,” she gasps, attempting to catch her breath and holds up one hand as if to say I have to stop everything and listen to her, “am I hearing right? Because word in the breakroom is that Shade Sawyer will be here this week?”

I laugh. Scarlet is obsessed with Shade. He once said hello to her in the hall after she changed the sheets in his room and stocked his bathroom with condoms. Ever since then she thinks they made a connection, and it’s only a matter of time before he eventually falls madly in love with her in passing, should they meet again.

“He checks in on the twenty-seventh.”

She taps her chin, contemplatively. “Perfect! I’m working that day. Do a girl a solid and make sure I’m assigned to his floor that day, would ya?” And then she fist-pumps the air and plops down on the couch in my office. Shifting, she turns so she can take in the view from the office window. “Shit, you really do have the best view.”

She’s right. My office is on the fifth floor overlooking Elliott Bay. The view is fabulous, and I spend more time in here than I do in anyone’s bed. Notice how I don’t say home? I clearly don’t have one.

While I’ve considered moving into my office because it’s certainly big enough, there’s just something about sleeping at this hotel on a permanent basis I don’t like. I feel like I would still be living under my parents’ roof and while I may have been given an opportunity because of my last name, I work my ass off to be financially independent, and I refuse to feel like I’m being supported by them any longer.

Scarlet looks around. “Okay, you know I love you and all, but why don’t you just stay here until you figure out your next step?” Instantly, I frown at her question, and she’s quick to add, “Don’t get me wrong, I totally don’t mind you crashing at my place, but it’s a shit hole. This hotel’s like the mack daddy of hotels. I’d kill to live here.”

I sigh, staring out at the bay. “Aside from the fact that I don’t want to deal with the whispers and snickering that I’m living off my parents, there’s no way I’m gonna risk my parents knowing I picked another fuckup to move in with? No, thanks.”

I moved out of my parents’ house on Lake Washington when I was eighteen to live in the dorms on campus at the University of Washington where I went to college. They didn’t live far from the school, but I wanted the complete college experience, and that meant not living at home any longer.

On top of that, I was having sex with one of my dad’s business acquaintances and needed some space to sneak around. It was purely for sex, so I don’t count it as a relationship fail, in case you were keeping track.

And here’s another piece of advice to go along with not dating band members. Don’t date bankers. They’re like politicians. Shady motherfuckers who will pretend you mean the world to them just to spread your legs. Lies. All fucking lies.

I face Scarlet. “Scar, I can’t live at the hotel. Can I just crash at your place for a few weeks?”

“If you introduce me to Shade.”

“You’ve met him.”

She holds up a finger. “Technically, no, I haven’t met him. We spoke briefly in passing.”

“Why do you want to meet that guy so bad?”

“Because I want to have his love child.”

“Fine. Deal. I’ll introduce you when he arrives.”

“Perfect.” Scarlet tosses a pillow from my couch at the back of my head. “And since it’s obvious that you and drummer boy are through, we’re going out.”

Going out is Scarlet’s answer for everything life hands you. Started your period? Go out and drink.

---