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“He isn’t that bad,” Micha said. His voice was soft but firm.
Casey and Noel chuckled. “You’ve had it the worst. How can you stick up for him right now? Arden is a good boss but he’s been—”
“Watch what you say next,” Eldon warned, his tone calm, but his eyes betraying that calm as fire blazed in their depths.
Both pixies glanced his way and shut their mouths. Eldon never got angry with anyone. In fact, he was the perfect people pleaser. He shoved his personal feelings and thoughts down and let a gentle smile appear on his face. The same one he used on occasions with customers.
“We don’t have a lot of time. Micha, go get set up and Casey, go check in.” He turned to Noel. “Come on, we can’t have the night fall apart without our queen.” Eldon flipped his hat and bowed to her.
Noel relaxed, and as a giggle bubbled out of her, he knew he’d smoothed everything over.
“Fine, I guess I can be a queen.”
What a hardship.
Casey shook her head. “Yeah, a drama queen.” She nudged Eldon on her way toward the bar. “Nice job.”
He gave her a nod and helped Noel to the spare changing rooms for the hosts that didn’t live there. He helped her get ready in record time, fixing a long red wig on top of her head, and it fit her a bit more than her natural blue.
Eldon had to admit Arden had a great eye for this stuff. He chose their roles if it wasn’t the customer’s choice and the man always gave them perfect places that fit them. And the outfits were always hand-picked by him. The dress he’d chosen for Noel was flattering and the crown on her head was sure to be popular amongst their customers.
“Alright, perfect, your highness.”
Noel giggled again and checked herself out in the mirror. “Man Eldon, you’re really good at this. Maybe I should have you do my makeup every time.”
She joked, but the idea that Eldon would be needed even for something so small, it sent a jittery feeling of excitement coursing through him.
“Anytime,” Eldon said. He tried to make sure his voice was even. He’d been told on more than one occasion at the old host bar that his enthusiasm was overwhelming.
Noel smiled at him, and the knot that had formed in his stomach relaxed. She left without another word, and Eldon gathered himself and got ready to play the charming Mad Hatter. He walked out toward the bar, his gaze tracked Gamble down at the door, and the man turned away the moment they locked eyes.
He’d have to do something to fix that later. He couldn’t have Gamble awkward around him; the thought made Eldon’s stomach clench, but he had no time to worry about it. He made his way to the floor and went to the bar to check-in.
“Everyone is accounted for.” Eldon grabbed the tablet and looked it over. He didn’t ask Arden; he just wanted to be useful to the dragon.
“Where the hell did you come from?” Arden growled.
Eldon blinked slowly. The dragon was steadily spooked by him but Eldon had seen Arden notice someone two whole blocks away.Was he that invisible to the dragon?A pang echoed throughout his chest, and Eldon worked hard to ignore it.
“You must be getting old,” Eldon said with a tight smile. “I made plenty of noise before coming over here.”
He checked the list and nodded as he sat it back down. “Everyone is ready for the photoshoot and Gamble just let the photographer through.” It wasn’t just theme night but promotion night as well. There would be plenty of photos taken and placed on their website, not to mention the Nightlife magazine. It was a huge deal. They wanted to do a piece on Arden, and they’d been coming around often asking for interviews.
PGD was growing in popularity, but that meant there was a lot more on Arden’s shoulders as well. Maybe that was why he was so tense, not that it should be any of Eldon’s concern.
“Shit, here I come. Damn liquor wasn’t restocked right. Are you sure everyone is ready? I heard Noel had an issue and—”
“It’s handled.”
Arden stopped and stared at him. Eldon met the dragon’s gaze and held it. “I told you to trust us a little more. I know I haven’t worked for you that long, but I’m more than capable of handling a few things.”
“Is that so?” Arden’s gaze was stern and scrutinizing, but Eldon didn’t budge. “Alright then. If you think you can handle it...”
“Oh I can. You’d be surprised at what I can take.”
Was he flirting?Shit, reel it the fuck in.
Eldon didn’t let Arden respond; he walked off and gathered the hosts. The last thing he needed to do was flirt with his boss, who had the power to toss him out on his ass.
