Page 10 of Hiding for the Holidays
“Yeah, I should have something in here,” he says, pulling open a desk drawer and rummaging through it. Eventually, he pulls out a clipboard, a notepad and a pen for me. “Alright, wellI’ll be in here for a bit, then I’ll be out of the floor if you need anything. Leo and Asher should be in soon, too.”
“Thanks, Grant. Try to forget I’m here; I want to observe you three as well.” His eyebrows rise in question. “I want to see what you do here, how you interact with people, things like that. Little things like how employees dress and speak is a representation of the brand. Anyway, I've said too much; forget that for now,” I say waving my arm as if I can erase my words.
He chuckles as he takes a seat at the desk. “I understand; just shout if you have any questions.”
“Will do,” I give him an awkward wave then turn and head back into the gym.
I stop at the edge of the machines and gaze around at the large gym.
“Alright, where do I start?”
Chapter 5
Leo
“Stop staring,” Grant mumbles, elbowing me in the side as he passes.
I quickly turn away, but it’s hard not to watch Clara. Especially when she’s walking around our gym with a clipboard, jotting down god knows what.
When I arrived this morning, she asked me a few questions, then asked to see our marketing materials. The flyer was literally all we had, so that took all of two seconds, then she spent the rest of the day observing and looking around on her own.
I didn’t know what to do with myself. WhatdidI do here all day? Workout? Talk with the guys and clients? Occasionally I’d do some cleaning, but since we had little clientele, there wasn’t much to do.
She lifts her tiny hand to push a strand of her long brown hair behind her ear. She’s wearing it in a low braid over her shoulder again today, and it hasn't escaped my notice that she’s in the same clothes as yesterday, too.
“We need to pay her cash,” I say, getting Grant’s attention. “How much does a marketing person make, anyway?”
“How should I know? Sixty an hour?”
“No, that’s way too high; she’ll think something's up.”
“Well, what do I know? I’ve never owned a business before.”
“Me either. I’ll ask ChatGPT.” I pull out my phone and type in the question. “It says thirty an hour is more than fair for this area and industry.” I look at him as I ask, “Can we afford it?”
“We’ll be fine for a few months.” I nod, hoping she can actually help us bring in some more business. I’d hate to have to shut this place down and go work for someone else. I love the freedom of this place and being our own bosses. Plus, spending every day with my best friends was a big bonus.
And now I’ll get to spend every day with her.
“Alright, thirty it is. I’ll pay her when she’s done at five. What’s the time now?” Grant asks.
I look at my phone as I tell him, “Four thirty.”
He nods and heads to the back office.
Unable to leave her alone any longer, I make my way over to where she’s staring at a piece of weightlifting equipment.
“What’s put that frown on your face, shortcake?”
“Shortcake?” she asks, her nose scrunching adorably.
“Yeah, cause you’re tiny and sweet like cake,” I say, smirking down at her.
“I’m only tiny compared to you three giants.”
I laugh as I tell her, “You’re shorter than we are tall.”
“I beg to differ. But there is something you can help me with.”
