Page 4 of More Trouble
“Andre!” barked Michel. “Is there a problem?”
Damn right there’s a problem. She can’t be here. I can’t work with her.
Conflicting memories came into my head. The actual night I’d spent with Jessy and Jenika, versus the horror on Willa’s face when she’d found out.
It may have happened almost six years ago, but for all the feelings it stirred up, it might as well have been yesterday.
It took all my willpower not to walk out right there and then. When we got to break for lunch, I grabbed Jessy’s arm and marched her into a quiet spot out of earshot of the others.
“Did you plan this?” I demanded.
Her dark eyes shone with defiance. “Don’t flatter yourself, Andre, you weren’tthatgood.”
“So, what are you doing here after all this time?”
She shrugged. “Needed a job, spotted this and thought I’d give it a try. Like I said, I met some fantastic people when we came here that summer.”
“You know you ruined my relationship after that night.”
The corner of her mouth quirked. “Relationship? You didn’t mention a word about a girlfriend when my sister was going down on you.”
My pulse quickened. If I thought I’d been angry at finding Maddox with Lyla, it wasn’t a patch on how I felt right now.
“Stay out of my way. If we’re rostered on together, don’t even speak to me,” I hissed.
“Is there a problem here?” Michel materialized beside us.
Jessy treated him to a dazzling smile. “No problem, we were getting reacquainted. Turns out we knew each other a few years ago.”
“Why don’t you go and chat with the others, Jessy?” Michel suggested.
A flutter of confusion crossed her face, but she did as she was asked.
“Now, do you want to tell me what that was all about?” The Operations Manager crossed his arms.
“Not really.”
“Well, whatever it is, I suggest you get over it. I don’t need arguments between my staff on day one. It’s not a good experience for the guests if you two are fighting the whole time. I wouldn’t want to see you get held back because of it. Understood?”
I nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Good. Shall we get back to the orientation?”
Michel’s words echoed in my ear for the rest of the day, and I managed to keep my emotions in check. I wasn’t about to mess this up. That woman had already helped me create enough drama for one life-time.
It was shortly before five when we finished. Having got my schedule for the rest of the week, I was grateful to see I would mostly be working with Iain and Brandon. There were a couple of shifts with Jessy, but they were restaurant shifts so I wouldn’t have to be alone with her.
As I got into the car, I tossed the induction pack onto the passenger seat. Before starting the engine, I checked my phone. I wasn’t sure who I was expecting to hear from, but Wes had left me a message to give him a call.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“You sound like you’ve had a shit day.”
You have no idea, Wes, no idea.
“First day at work, you know what it’s like.”
“I might have the exact thing to cheer you up. Want to meet for dinner?”
I groaned. After the day I’d had, all I wanted to do was head home and crash. “I don’t know…”
“I have big news.” Wes dangled the carrot, but I wasn’t prepared to take it.
“I don’t know, man. I’m in a mood. A bad one.”
“Well, you could wallow alone in your room, or you could come drown it in grease and booze at the bar, with me.” Wes laughed. “I’m betting you’ve still got one hell of a hangover.”
How right he was. He knew me so well. No wonder our friendship had lasted through everything. He might even have a sage word or two to offer up on the work situation if I told him.
“Fine, I’ll see you soon.”
