Page 16 of See Me

Find a way to sneak into the bar I work every night to sleep in the back room I found.“And after Christmas I get access to my room to get it set up.”

She smiles and hugs me. “I’m so proud of you.”

The words I long to hear. Just not out of the mouth I long to hear it from. “Thanks. I’m excited.”

“So, you want to help me shove all this crap in my suitcases and then I’ll help you?”

Cassie waltzes in with her tape gun and broken-down boxes under her arm. “Let’s pack this stuff up and I’ll Tetris the shit out of the back of your cars.”

Jess and I look at each other and both say, “Tetris?”

I check the reflection in my visor mirror and make sure there are no marks on my neck. It still hurts to swallow. My skin erupts in goosebumps as I scan the parking lot. I can’t shake the feeling someone’s watching me and, though I know the situation wasn’t my fault, mostly, my gut burns with shame at the thought of walking in there with bruises on display.

My head whips to scan both ends of the alley as I walk quickly to the back entrance.

Not today, Mr. Doorman.

I walk in the back door at work and boxes with garland spilling out crowd the hallway. Jingle Bells is playing softly on the overhead speaker as I make my way down the hall. I slow as I come up to Luca’s office door and see him bent over his desk. When he examines his swollen hand as he opens and closes it with a slight wince, I feel like I should say something for yesterday. I don’t know if I should thank him or apologize. Probably both. I lean on the frame and knock softly.

He looks up, straightens his spine, and grabs a pencil with his injured hand. “Enzo is out there if you need anything.”

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you.” I slide in the doorway and lean against the wall. “I just wanted to thank you for yesterday.”

“Don’t mention it. I’d do the same for someone I liked.”

What the frick?

I rear my head back and smack it on the wall behind me. I reach back and rub the sore spot. “I’m trying to apologize here.”

“No, you’re not. You said thank you. No thanks are needed. I didn’t do it for you. I did it to protect my business. I don’tneed word getting around that one of my waitresses got strangled on the job. Now if you’d like to get to work, and maybe keep your mouth shut and your tits out, we can both have a productive day.”

“Are you kidding me right now? I came in to make sure you’re okay, say sorry, and thank you.Keep my tits out?What kind of boss says that?”

He stands to come around the desk and leans on the edge. My insides heat up and the butterflies in my belly pull out their tubes of lip gloss. Even leaning on the desk, he towers over me and my downstairs kitty takes notice.

No. We don’t like him.

He crosses his massive, ink covered arms over his chest and I get a whiff of spice and soap.

Speak for yourself. Sincerely, downstairs kitty.

He brushes his fingers over his lips as he studies me. “Are you okay?”

My hand instinctively goes to my throat, still feeling the burn as I swallow. His eyes follow the gesture and they soften just a touch.

“Are you only asking because you feel like you have to?”

“Is that what you need? To move on and get out of my office?”

I throw my hands out to the side. “What’s your deal?”

“My deal is I have a business to run and if I’d have known this is how hiring you was going to work out, I would’ve ripped up your application. I don’t need the bullshit you bring with you.”

“Bullshit? What bullshit? The guy patted his lap and told me to take a seat and feed him. Am I just supposed to paint a smile on my face and appease him? Is that what good waitresses do?”

His eyes go wide and I can tell that’s the first he’s heardof what actually happened. I guess he really doesn’t care, at least not enough to ask what went down. “And the bill totaling four grand?”

“That guy was asking for it. He was a complete jerk.”

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