Page 27 of Show Me

“I didn’t.” The words come out with more clip than I intended.

“You did,” he snaps as he adjusts a brochure that’s already straight in the hanging rack. “You’re over here.”

Behind me, Brent shifts, unconcerned even though it was his encouragement that caused me to come over here in the first place, against my better judgment. But for some reason, I have a feeling that if I’d refused to assist Brent, Greg would’ve read me the riot act over that as well.

I inhale and exhale the frustration out of my body. “Got it.”

Because arguing isn’t going to get me anywhere; it never does. Greg raps his knuckles on the desk. “Back to work.”

As Greg retreats toward his office, Brent follows me. Of course he does.

“Thanks.” He leans on the counter again as if nothing happened. “That helped.”

“That’s great.” I don’t look at him this time. Just pull up the next screen, clicking through menus I don’t need.

“You’ll be here tomorrow?”

God, he’s obtuse. I got into trouble for helping him, and he wants to do this song-and-dance again tomorrow. “Depends on my schedule.”

“See you around.” He's pushing off the counter with a smile playing at his lips. I don’t bother replying.

Through the reflection in my monitor, I notice Greg is back in his office. Door half-closed. Seated behind his desk. Like he didn’t rewrite the rules and chastise me in the process.

I stare at the screen longer than necessary. Then straighten the stack of papers beside me, aligning the edges even though they’re already straight.

Front desk. Schedules. Membership updates. Invoices. Check-ins. Simple. Except it’s not. Because now…. There’s a guy who doesn’t understand no. And a boss who changes the rules depending on who’s watching.

And me. Standing in the middle of it, doing everything right…. And still getting in trouble.

Chapter Fourteen

Ruby

Friday Night

Callahan’s Bar is louder than usual. Or maybe I’m more aware of it tonight. The clink of glasses. The low thrum of bass from the speakers. The hum of conversations layered over laughter.

Kansas City on a Friday night smells like beer, fryer oil, and people trying to forget their workweek. After the week I’ve had, I fit in this category.

Bella slides into the booth across from me, Dominic’s hand lingering on her shoulder before he walks toward the bar with Jake. Emily watches Jake go like he hung the moon and personally placed it in the sky for her viewing pleasure.

I take a sip of my water. I am so happy for them. I am also, very clearly, the third wheel. Fifth wheel. Whatever.

“You okay?” Bella tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I’m fine.” I bite back a sigh of longing. “Just taking in the romance like a holiday Christmas movie that’s so sweet it rots your teeth.”

Emily looks affronted as she descends onto the bench beside me. “We’re not that bad.”

“We’re not trying to be annoying.” Bella nods toward my drink. “You want something stronger?”

“I drove.” And they’re not. But they’re happy, and it’s impossible not to see it written on all four of their faces.

Dominic returns with drinks, sliding a glass of white wine toward Bella before taking the seat beside her.

Jake sets a beer in front of Emily and drops into the booth next to her. Their shoulders touch. Neither of them moves away. I arch my eyebrow and take another sip of water.

“You always drive.” Emily wraps her hand around the beer.