Page 7 of Mr. Almost

“Has this place always been like this?”

Tristen shakes her head. “No. I don’t know what happened, but about a year ago, things changed. We used to have a low turnover rate, but then people retired or left for personal reasons. The people they hired to take their places were…” She cringes. “Less than stellar.”

I nod. “Got it. Well, hopefully they fix the issue soon.”

“You’re hired through a temp agency, right? Are you hoping they buy out your contract?”

“It would be nice, but we’ll see. It’s too soon to tell right now, anyway,” I lie.

As much as this would normally be my dream job at another hotel, I can’t work here. Not long-term.

“Well, I hope they hire you.”

I smile at her. “Thanks.”

Tristen continues to talk as we work. She tells me all about howher roommate drives her mad and how she misses her best friend who’s going to school out of state.

“Hey, you two can head on back,” a woman says as she joins us behind the desk.

“Lexi, have you met Olivia?” Tristen asks.

“I haven’t.” Lexi looks at me and smiles. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too,” I murmur.

“Come on.” Tristen links her arm through mine and leads us to the back offices.

I can’t help but tense up as we step into the conference room I’ve been in once before. Just being back here makes me feel sick. I squeeze my eyes shut as I try to push back the memories of that horrific day.

He didn’t even face me himself and instead sent, as I would later find out, his mother to clean up his mess.

We’re better off without him.

While some days I wish I took the money his mother offered, I’m glad I didn’t. Arianna and I are doing just fine without him. I’m making it work without his help.

Yeah, but you still wish Arianna had a dad, a little voice whispers in my head.

“Hey, are you okay?” Tristen asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I blink and force a smile. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? You look pale.”

“I’m sure. Let’s sit though before this place fills up.”

I drag Tristen to the table and sit down as people start to filter in.

I take a deep breath to try to stop the churning in my stomach as everyone talks among themselves. I knew it would be hard working here, but I didn’t realize how much.

You need to get over it,I scold myself.

Everyone falls silent as two people walk into the room. I look up and see it’s Max, who runs The Williamson, and his assistant, Iris, both of whom I met in passing.

“Thank you everyone for joining us. We’re just waiting for twomore people to join us,” Iris says, smiling to the room. “Oh, and here they are now.”

I turn to look toward the door and freeze.

No. No. No. This can’t be happening.

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