Page 81 of Only One Tour Bus

But even with my endless optimism, I don’t know how we’re going to get past one of us taking the other’s job. That would put a damper on any relationship.

I don’t even know how I would react if I was the one who lost the job. Would I be able to get past it? Maybe if I could find another job quickly it wouldn’t be so bad. If I couldn’t pay rent, I might get a little bitter about Callum still working.

But it wouldn’t be his fault. It’s Rob and his poor management style. Still, I can’t say with confidence how I’ll feel about it until it happens.

For now, I can choose to enjoy where we are and worry about the rest later.

I distract myself from thoughts of the future by getting everyone ready for the meal. Dinner is served on tables with checkered tablecloths and an amazing view of the soaring, verdant mountains outside, surrounding the small town. Flickering candles on the table light the darkening room as the sun sets outside.

It would be more romantic if I wasn’t working, rushing around to make sure everyone is happy. Then I see Callum walk across the room in his white henley, muscles clearly outlined, and maybe it still is pretty romantic anyway. The soft light is emphasizing the sharp planes of his face, his mouth unsmiling even with the prospect of cheese for dinner.

But being an expert in Callum’s expressions now, I know this is his happy. Or close to it. Maybe his deeply content. He didn’t have to deal with the group for most of the day, and when they returned to us, we got to eat a lot of cheese. And he got to spend the day with me, which I hope makes him veer from unhappy to content, at the very least. Since he makes me very content.

Plus, him not being content with me would make what we did last night awkward. Awkward, hot hate sex, I guess.

Callum snags my hand as I’m making sure the wine and appetizers are coming.

“Sit down and enjoy. You know Leon’s service is impeccable.”

“Except when he overbooks the rooms.”

“Especially when he overbooks the rooms.” His eyes are intense, boring into mine, and his hand is hot on my arm, fingers moving in small circles on my skin.

I sit down. “I can concede that did turn out for the best.” Most everyone here is an adult, and the children have their parents with them. I can relax with Callum. Until someone actively needs me, at least. “This light is very good for you.” I punctuate the compliment by taking a picture of him before he can block my camera.

“I should start charging for all these photos. Maybe that’ll restrain you.”

I ignore him, walking to his side of the table and take some selfies of the both of us, with the beautiful background. Then I stay on his side of the table, closer to him. “Maybe stop being so photogenic.” I show him the evidence of our photos.

“You’re the only one who thinks so.”

“I sincerely doubt that. I might be the only one who tells you because you growl at everyone who dares to smile at you, but I can assure you people are thinking it.”

Callum twists his mouth in disgust at the idea that people are lusting after him from afar and gets his own phone out, snapping a picture while I’m laughing at his response.

“Hey! I didn’t even get to pose for that.”

“Not everything has to be posed. You look good candid, too.” He turns the phone around to show me the screen. I do look happy. And not just at the impending cheese. But because of the man next to me, doing things like taking photos of me even though he thinks that many vacation photos are excessive.

“Hmm. Maybe I should keep you around.” I say it jokingly, but I want to see his response to the idea. Instead of sitting here obsessing about something that he might not even want.

But his response is an even more advanced level of Callum-speak than where I’m at, and I can’t read his face. Or his grunt in response. Damn it, how could my powers fail me now in my time of need?

The dinner passes quickly and the service is impeccable. Virginia and her family take the rest of the seats at our table, and the parents proceed to embarrass their daughter with every story they tell and question they ask. Her face cringed so much that her face muscles must be getting sore.

Ah, I remember that age. Mom never missed an opportunity to tell all the strangers about my latest accomplishments and also my latest endearing mistakes. I don’t know which ones were more embarrassing.

People start to disperse at their own speed, and I hear the music from the bar get louder. Some of the single travelers, who have formed a lovely mini-group these past eleven days because traveling is a crash course in getting close to someone fast, walk up to us and ask if we’re going to the bar, and before I can say yes, Callum does for the both of us.

I keep the surprise off my face. “We’ll meet you there in a sec.”

“Socializing is a part of the job, Asha,” Callum says before I can express my surprise to him.

“Look at you.”

“Don’t think I didn’t notice your history-filled speech about Strasbourg. Very educational. Very responsible. I even heard one snore.”

I laugh and swat him on his arm. “You’re the worst. Now let’s go do your favorite part of the job.”