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“Is that so?” he didn’t look up from his paper when he spoke.
“Yep. Once, I got this job I wasn’t qualified at all for because I sort of charmed the manager. Granted, it was just at a resale clothing store when I was sixteen, but I think it sort of goes to show what you can accomplish with the right attitude.”
“So is that your plan?” he asked. “Swindle Mr. Stone into hiring you even though you aren’t qualified or fit for the position?”
I laughed. “I mean, he sort of built his headquarters in the middle of nowhere. I’m wondering if he’s even had any other applicants for the position. I’m thinking I may walk in and find he’s begging me to take the job.”
“You think he was foolish to build his headquarters out here?”
“Foolish. Crazy. Stupid. Yep. Probably all three. I mean, what could he be thinking?” I felt my mouth running faster than my brain could keep up with. The hit of coffee after so long without was getting to me fast. “There’s a reason businesses are set up in big cities. Nobody out here is going to be qualified for jobs at a place like this. He’ll be lucky even to get me.”
“I’d suggest keeping those opinions to yourself during your interview.”
“Oh, definitely,” I agreed. “Like I said. I’m great at reading people. I’ll take a look at this Stone guy tomorrow and figure out the best approach on the fly.”
“I’m sure.” He got up and set his paper down. “If you are hoping to get enough rest, you should probably go.”
“You’re right!” I popped up and drained the last of my coffee. “Know any good places to stay around here?”
“The Ashford Inn. It’s in Fairhope.”
“Perfect. I’ll pop it in my GPS and head over. I’d ask for your name again, but you clearly don’t want to give it. No hard feelings, though. I used to teach middle schoolers and I once had a kid who wouldn’t even make eye contact until after Christmas. But guess who got me an end of the year present?” I smiled proudly. “So I know I’ll get your name eventually.”
Mr. PJ’s face completely shifted. He went from disinterested and cold. Suddenly, his eyes were boring into me like two icy flames. “You were a teacher?”
I laughed a little awkwardly. “Briefly. But then I got dragged into the family business and worked in administrative and secretarial roles. Honestly, I miss working with kids, but it is what it is. I need a job like… right now, and my certification expired last year. I’d have to take classes and tests and blah blah.” I rolled my eyes and smiled at him.
“I see. Goodnight, Miss Thorn.”
“Right. Hey,” I said, punching his shoulder playfully–except the only thing that seemed to want to play when I felt the hard muscle under his t-shirt was my freaking vagina. Calm down, girl. “Maybe we’ll see each other again tomorrow.”
“We just might.”
2
LOLA
The Ashford Inn was just as charming as could be. The old man at the desk had been a total sweetie, my room was clean, and I even had a lovely little view of Fairhope Colorado from my bedside window. The sound of rain drumming on the roof had put me to sleep and I was greeted by a beautiful sunny morning. I could see the mountain range out west in all its glory now, along with the playfully bright roofs scattered through the town. There was even a stream weaving its way through the town like the place was posing for a postcard picture. Best of all, they were cooking something in the restaurant downstairs that smelled good enough to make me want to lick the inside of my nostrils. And yes, I was totally aware how weird an urge that was.
Termite and I headed down through the lobby a little after seven. If I didn’t let her out at the crack of dawn, she’d pee wherever she pleased.
Old Mr. Ashford gave me a nod and a smile from behind the counter when he spotted me with Termite under my arm.
“Can I grab you a coffee, Miss Thorn?”
I smiled. Maybe a long-overdue reunion with coffee and all things caffeine was part of my fresh start. “That would be wonderful. I’ve got to let this little rodent go potty, but we’ll just be a minute.”
He winked and went to get a cup ready for me. I took a better look around the lobby now that it wasn’t the middle of the night, and I was feeling much more rested and put together. There were a handful of people in the small lobby sitting by the fire and laughing about something. To my side, I could see a glimpse of the restaurant’s dining room and hear the chatter of voices from the kitchen. It looked like they weren’t serving food yet.
