AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Jen Jacobs.”Shewalked intotheroom,pulling theglasses fromher face.“I’mone of your waitresses—probablyyourbestwaitress.”
Maxnoticed Jeremy’smouth dropopen a little bitwhen hegota good lookatJen. Sheeyed him justasappreciatively.
“Sitdown. You’reearly,”Maxsaid,going behind one of thebarstocheckouthowwell-stocked it was. Hefound abouttwo dozen full boxesand half a dozen emptyfridges. He’d getoneof thestaff to geton that today.
“She’s gorgeous,” Jeremysaid under his breath as hesidled up tothebar.
Maxlookedathim. “We’rehereto getthis barrunning smoothly,notfuckthewaitresses,Jeremy.”
Therewas a warning in Max’svoicethathehopedtheguydidn’tmiss. By thegleamof purelustin Jeremy’seyes, Maxsurmised thathehadn’theard adamnword he’d said.
Thenexttimehe lookedup,therewerenearlythirtypeopleseatedin the same area asJen. Itlooked likethingswereabout togetinteresting.Wheeling thestrollersomewherewhereitwould beout of theway,Maxput onhis gamefaceand approachedthegroupof peoplewhowould befollowing his orders and asking ‘howhigh’when hesaid ‘jump.’
Withoutanypreamble,he gavethemall a hard look.“You’reall herebecauseyou werefound to bethebestof thebest. We had overonethousand applicants acrosstheboard for the positions you all hold now. Remember thatwhenyou’reworking here. If you fuck up once,you’ll getawarning. Fuckup again and I’ll showyouthedoorand hireoneof those other thousand. And I can guarantee they’llworkharderformethan youeverwill.”Maxtookintheir stunned expressions. “Any questions?No?Thenlet’s getstarted.”HeturnedtoJeremy,whohad a smirkon his face.“Takethe bartenders. I’lltakethewaitresses.”
“Luckybastard,” the guymuttered underhis breathasheturned around.
Theysplitintotwo groupsand gottowork.Maxput everysinglewomanthroughtheringer, making suretheywere up toscratch. Hewassurprisedbyhowgoodtheyall were;not oneof them had dropped a drinkortripped up when heasked themdetailed questionsabouttheclub and howit worked.
Two hourslater,Erin started tofuss,causingMaxto giveeveryoneabreak.
“It’s allright,baby girl,”hecooed softlyasheunstrapped her from her stroller. She’d slept throughthe morning,butshewould beawakefora fewhoursnow.Herocked her gentlyas he walked backwardsand forwards nearthebar. Hewassoabsorbed in the task thathe didn’teven notice someonehad approachedhim.
“She’s beautiful.”
Heturned his attention fromErin toJen.“Whatdoyou want?”hebarked back.
Jen crossed herarms overher chestand staredathim,apparentlyunfazed byhis fuck-off attitude. “Is hermomat work?Isthatwhyyou broughtherwith youtoday?”
Max’sjawtensed. Hewaited a minutebeforeanswering;hehad tomakesurethegrowl was gonefrom hisvoice.“I don’tsee howthat’s anyof your business.”
Sheignored him.“Letmeknowif you ever need asitter. Myroommateislooking for ajob.”
*
An hour after theirlunch break,Maxgot everyonetogether togivethemonelastpeptalk.
“Welldonetoday.I’mimpressedandbelieve me whenIsaythat’sahardthingtodo.Theclub’s grand openingistomorrownight.Everyone whoisrosteredtowork, I wantinatfouro’clock.There arestill thingstodo, andeverythinghastobe runningsmoothly.Now,I’mnot expectingthere tobe zeroproblems,becausetherewillbe some.WhatIamexpectingisforallofyoutobeprofessionaland reportanyproblems thatdocrop up, either to myselfor toJeremy.”
Hemadesurehelookedeverysingleoneofthemintheeyetodrivehisnextpointhome.“IfI find outthatanyof you wereawareof an issueand did notreportit,I’llhaveyourhead.”
Everyonelookedwary,exceptforJen,whoseeyeshadn’tleftJeremy’stheentiretime. Maxbit backa growl.“Everyonego home…exceptforyou,Jen,”he addedas an afterthought.
Therestofthestaffcollected theirbelongingsandhustled outofthere. Maxexpected Jen toat leastbealittleafraid,butherswaggeringwalkasshecametowardshimsaidshedidn’thaveacare in theworld.
“Sitdown,”hecommanded.
Slidinghersunglasses ontothetop ofher head,shesat,blinkingupathim. He couldn’thelpbut seeglimpses ofChelseainher.Theysharedthesameblondehair,thesameshadeofblueeyes—the same goddamn arrogance.
Maxchewedtheinsideofhischeek,hatingwhathewasabouttoaskofher.“Yourroommate,” hebegan,unsurehowtosaywhathewantednext.
“Myroommate…”Jenprompted.
He glared ather. “Give meher number.”
Thecornerof Jen’smouthtugged up in a smug smile.“Give meyour phone,”sheshotback.
Begrudgingly,MaxpulledhisiPhonefromhispocket,hesitatingforamomentbeforeputtingitin her palm. Jen’s thumbs quickly moved overthescreenbeforegiving himbackthe device. “I putitunder GigiBorello,”Jen saidwith awink beforesaunteringoutoftheclub.
“Icanalready tellshe’ll beawildcatinthesack,”JeremysaidashesidledupnexttoMax.
Max glancedattheother guy. “Keep itinyour pants,Walker,”hesaid witha growl.
