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Rachel narrowed her eyes. Dropping hints at his friend’s riches was not a way to impress her. She’d had enough of people like that during her twenty-six years of life. Money certainly didn’t buy her a happy childhood.
“What Darren means is that I’m in the middle of opening a fine dining restaurant and he’s jealous he didn’t think of it first,” said his friend, pulling the dark sunglasses off his face and running a hand through his shaggy, blond hair.
He had a slight bend to his nose and a tiny scar on his upper lip, but that did nothing to detract from his strong jawline and classically good looks. There was also something strikingly familiar about the man, but Rachel just couldn’t put her finger on it. Maybe, she’d seen him on TV. He certainly had the face for it. Companies would love to have a man like that representing their brands.
He looked up at her with startlingly blue eyes and smiled warmly, making Rachel’s stomach do a little flip. “I needed to scope out the competition. Don’t tell your boss, okay?”
She made a zipping motion across her lips and fought back a smile. Tony would be livid if he knew the athletes he was hosting were scoping
out his business. All the more reason to really give these guys a great meal and cash in on the fabulous tip.
“You guys take a few minutes to check out the menu and I’ll be back with water,” she said, leaving them to peruse the daily specials.
“Don’t forget the beer, darling,” the red-head yelled after her. “And keep them coming.”
As she filled up two glasses at the water station, Rachel allowed herself a moment to consider her business teacher’s latest assignment: to intern at a local business. The very thought made the muscles in her temples throb. Between classes and work, how was she supposed to find the time to do an internship? Not to mention, finding an internship that paid would be like striking water in the middle of the Sahara desert. It just wasn’t going to happen. As if life couldn’t get any more complicated.
“What do you say, after this shift, you and I check out that new club on First Street?” Tony cooed, coming up beside her. She hadn’t even heard him approach. His brown eyes lingered a little too long on her chest, before flicking up to her face. “How ’bout it? It’s not like you have a boyfriend.”
“I’d say that’s entirely inappropriate,” Rachel answered in a monotone voice, trying her very best to keep it civil.
As much as she hated it, she needed a job. And true, she didn’t have a boyfriend and hadn’t had one in far too long, but that didn’t make Tony’s offer any more alluring. It was as if all the decent, single guys in the world had evaporated from the face of the Earth all at once. That wasn’t her fault.
“You’re my boss,” she continued. “You shouldn’t be asking me out anywhere.”
“Come on, Rach. Who’s gonna care?” He slid closer until he had her trapped between the soda fountain and the wall. “Your one month review is coming up. I’ll bet you could sure use that raise. I’ll put in a good word for you.”
She glowered at him, heat rising to her cheeks. “You’re the one who decides the raises, Tony.”
He grinned, flashing his veneers. “That’s true. So, I’ll put in a good word to myself, if you’ll come with me to the club.”
Rachel hesitated, feeling like a worm on the end of a hook. She really could use the raise, but going anywhere with Tony was asking for trouble. If she said yes now, he’d forever be hounding her for dates. She’d better put a stop to it while she still could.
“I’m only going to say this once, Tony, so listen carefully.” She lifted her chin and fixed him with a steady scowl. “I’m not going on a date with you. I will never go anywhere with you. I’m not interested, so please, stop making me uncomfortable and let me just do my job.”
Tony’s cocky grin melted from his face. Anger took root in his eyes and he stepped even closer, until she could smell the hint of garlic on his warm breath.
“I’ll have you know, you wouldn’t have a job without me,” he spat, eye-to-eye with her. “You’re not the hot stuff you think you are, sweetie.”
“Get away from me,” Rachel grunted, gritting her teeth. He’d pinned her against the wall with his massive bulk. She splayed her hands on his shoulders and tried to push him, without success. “Leave me alone, Tony. I said no.”
She should’ve known Tony wouldn’t let her be. She’d had a bad feeling during her interview with him when he kept leering at her blouse, but she’d tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. Here she was, being punished for his lack of self-control. It wasn’t worth it. All the money in the world wasn’t worth working around this excuse of a human being one minute longer.
“Is there a problem here?” a low growl of a voice asked from behind them.
Tony backed off just enough for them to both turn and gaze at the blond baseball player with the blue eyes. He stood just a foot away, hands curled tightly into fists and his jaw clenched. His challenging glare never left Tony’s face.
“I believe this young woman told you to leave her alone,” he continued, inching closer so that he could look down his nose at Tony. “I’d suggest you do that.”
“What are you doing here?” Tony sputtered, his face turning red. He looked wildly around the dark hallway. “Customers aren’t allowed back here.”
“I was looking for the restroom.” The baseball player didn’t blink, his impressive scowl sending a jolt of adrenaline through Rachel’s chest. He looked like the kind of guy who followed through on his silent threats. “But it seems I found myself a situation here.”
Rachel let out a low breath as Tony backed away, giving her room to breathe. Her face felt hot to the touch, as if she’d just finished running a marathon. She sent the stranger a grateful smile, but waved him away. As much as she enjoyed watching Tony cower under the man’s hulking figure, she could take it from here.
“It’s okay. We were just finishing up here.” She untied her apron and pulled it over her head. Turning toward her boss, she shoved it into his hands. “I quit.”
Tony’s face fell and he stuttered. “But...but you can’t. Your shift just started. Who’s going to cover the tables?”
