Page 50 of Summer Ever After
Jessica put away the clippers.
I shivered as a hair tickled my neck. “I’m going to have to have another shower.” I wriggled in my shirt, trying to find the hair. “I’ll see you tonight. I hope that you find someone to be your date.”
“I will.” There was no hesitation in her voice. The confidence of the woman was inspiring.
She left the bathroom and I shook out my clothes over the bathtub and then got in to rinse off the remnants of my old life. Christina thought that cutting my hair was a punishment, I took that power back. Cutting it on my terms was empowering.
When I came into the kitchen, Mrs. Graham and Jessica were in her office whispering. I didn’t want to accidentally overhear what they were talking about, so I turned on the radio to the local station and poured another cup of coffee. It was going to be a long day, but I felt fresh and ready to tackle anything that came my way – including an evil stepmother and step-sister.
* * *
The entire cottagekeeper staff was on the island. Each of us had a checklist like an airline pilot. We had to go through every room in the place, we had to check every pen to make sure it worked, and we had to ensure that the towels were hung exactly one inch apart. The most minute details were included on the list. A few of the VIP guests were staying on Starling Island, and their suites had to be immaculate.
Tara and I were on steamer detail again, this time in the main cottage, making sure all of the bedding was as crisp as a sheet of paper.
“Do you think that people notice all this…stuff?” Tara checked off one of the items on the list.
I shrugged. “They might not notice that the sheets are turned down ten inches and that the monogram is in the center of the bed, but I’m sure that it all…feels good.” I didn’t know how else to describe it.
Tara adjusted the pen on the notepad next to the desk and ensured that the television was left on the weather channel. “You’re one of the few women that can pull off a shaved head, Rosie. I can’t believe you had the balls to do it though.”
“Balls?”
“Yeah, I mean. Guys won’t like it.”
I laughed. “I don’t base my appearance on men.” I rubbed my hand over my head. “It feels good.”
Tara wound her long hair into a messy bun on top of her head. “Trey likes to run his fingers through mine.”
“Tara.” I pulled the vacuum from the cupboard. “You said you guys were just texting?”
She popped a piece of gum into her mouth. “Last night something happened. We were the last two on the boat. I guess you’ve been cramping our style all summer.”
“Did you…” I couldn’t believe it.
Tara crossed her arms. “Of course not. But, it was close. He’s got these big sexy hands, and he knows what to do with them.” She undid the messy bun. “That man knows how to pull hair. I can tell.” She grabbed her strands and tugged.
“Lalalalala. Too much information.” I put my hands on my ears and then laughed, removing them. “I wouldn’t know much about that,” I said. “Especially now.”
Tara’s eyes glazed over and I could tell she was thinking about a certain set of hands doing something to her. “Just be careful, remember what Mrs. G. said.”
Her smile was sly. “We talked about that. Mrs. G basically permitted us. I didn’t see it that way at first, but why else would she tell us that there isn’t a policy about staff members dating each other.”
I plugged in the vacuum. “Um. She told you that so you wouldn’t do it?”
“Tomato, to-mah-to.” Tara checked off a few more things on the list.
“You could lose your job, or get hurt…”
“Oh, Rosie. We’re just having a little fun. You know, that three-letter word that you know nothing about.”
It stung, but she was right. “Come on, we have to drop these checklists off and get into our catering clothes.”
* * *
It was four o’clock,and the gourmet sandwiches were back on the lunchroom table. I made sure to tuck an extra one into my backpack. I’d been warned that once the evening started, there wouldn’t be time for any of the catering staff to eat.
Helicopters buzzed over Starling Island and the corridor between the island and the mainland had turned into a shipping lane. Throughout the day, boats had been constantly traveling back and forth. The event started with a cocktail hour, followed by an auction, and then dinner and dancing.
