Page 33 of Fresh Tracks
“No, TJ. We’re not taking your guesthouse. I said we’ll be fine.” Her expression doesn’t waiver and I find myself admiring her even more for being so determined to not rely on other people.
But I can be just as determined.
“OK then. At least park your vans in my driveway so I’m not worried about you getting hassled by a security guard or the sheriff.” I know law enforcement in town has started cracking down on places not designated for camping, especially when they need to plow after a big storm like this. The last thing I want is for them to get in trouble when I could do something about it.
Her stance softens and I can tell she’s considering it, so maybe I can sweeten the pot and seal the deal. “You’re welcome to use the hot tub too, if you want. I won’t bug you.”
“I wouldn’t complain if you joined, Hot Boss,” Josie says, prompting both of us to look back at her. She shrugs and raises her palms. “What? He’syourboss, notmine. You know I prefer towork solo anyway. Don’t rain on my parade by complaining about your job perks.”
Grace shakes her head and smiles. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, absolutely,” I say emphatically and relieved. “And you said it yourself, your heater’s been acting up. So please, give me some peace of mind. You can plug your van in, charge your batteries, whatever you need. Hell, use my gym if you feel like it. Come and go as you please.”
Josie claps her hands together. “You drive a hard bargain, but looks like we have a deal. Lead the way, Hot Boss.” She heads toward the driver side door of her van, opening it and hopping in.
Once she shuts the door, Grace turns to me. “Like she said, lead the way,” she says with a soft smile, her eyes expressing the gratitude she doesn’t want to voice.
“Is she ever going to not call me ‘Hot Boss’?” I ask, tipping my chin at Josie’s van.
She lets out an amused laugh. “Nope, you’ll forever be known as Hot Boss to her. I’m sure the notorious Teal Tigers’ frontman Tommy Jacob has been called worse.”
“Yeah. You’d be correct on that one.”
She looks back at me and those green eyes that haunt my dreams soften. “Are you really sure it’s OK if we are hanging around your place?”
“Yes. I already have Sutton coming and going all the time like he owns the place.” I shake my head and snort a laugh. “I still travel a decent bit too and I’m not around all the time. So yeah, it’s totally fine.”
“Thank you,” she says softly and I can see by her smile that she might finally feel OK about the idea.
“Anytime.” I nod and start carefully walking to my car, taking one last look over my shoulder. “See you at my place, Rainbow.”
CHAPTER 14
GRACE
BENEFITS PACKAGE
TJ might bethe best boss I’ve ever had. Not that there’s a long list, but it feels like he’d always be on top, no matter who I work for next.
Thankfully, I’ve been spared Josie’s constant teasing and calling TJ ‘Hot Boss’ the last couple of days. I know we give each other shit all the time, but she’s also the only person that gets my love for being impulsive and sporadic. The weekends we’ve spent camping somewhere new on a whim and hiking or skiing have been some of the most memorable moments in my life.
Right now, she’s off in Big Sky with her van for a few days and should get back later this week. I swear though, I tell her one time in confidence that I think my new boss is hot — he is a famous rockstar after all — and she embarrasses me every chance she gets. I love her to death, but she’s not shy about giving anybody, including her friends, shit. I would never want to be on her bad side.
It doesn’t matter that he’s effortlessly good looking and charming, that’s not why he’s a great boss, even though I’m starting to consider it an added perk. It’s everything else.
I’ve been working for him for about two weeks and alreadyI’ve seen how he treats the people around him. He’s on the phone all day with Jake or Slade, giving them the go-ahead on real estate deals or the Seattle restaurant project. Or when Sutton or Tanner stop by. It doesn’t matter who it is, he’s kind and respectful and listens to whatever their concerns are.
I was lucky at Wasatch Wishes. People there were great, we had an amazing mission. But I know plenty of people that have worked less than great corporate jobs or had terrible bosses.
But TJ is just different.
He listens. He actually listens instead of waiting for his turn to talk, and then makes his decision. If he doesn’t agree with something Sutton or Slade or even my brother says, he will drop what he’s doing to painstakingly explain it and then hear their side. Slade even convinced him to change his mind. I’ve seen more than my fair share of egotistical men with unswayable opinions and it’s refreshing to see the opposite.
Then there are the gestures.
Today, his cleaning lady came by for her weekly stop. He made sure her favorite breakfast pastries from Cowgirl Coffee were out in the kitchen with a fresh coffee. It reminded me of my first day with the electric kettle and box of teas set up in the office. And I don’t even know what to make of him inviting me to stay in his driveway for as long as I need. He walked the fine line of wanting to make sure I was safe while not overstepping. He’s given me every bit of space I want.
I just keep asking myself if there actually are people out there this nice? Everything in my gut tells me TJ really is this genuine. Even in Bend, the way he was so generous letting all of us stay there like it wasn’t an inconvenience. It was one thing when he was supposed to be out of town, but then his plans changed. I don’t know why, but a voice in the back of my mind keeps saying it might have been fate, like we were supposed to cross paths that weekend.
