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Shit. This was going to be a long shift.
“Look, calm down.” I took a step back, contemplating for a second whether I should just make a run for it. I looked every one of them in the eye, keeping my back to the lobby and, unfortunately, the entrance as I said, “Ryan and I went to college together, that’s it.”
A deep, smooth voice chimed in from behind me. “Oh, Bex, baby, that wasn’t even close to it.” By the way my coworkers’ faces went slack and their mouths dropped open, I knew Ryan was standing there.
Fuck.
I closed my eyes for just a quick second, said the Lord’s prayer at warp speed in my head, and turned on my heel.
Leaning against the counter in a pair of tailored denim jeans and a crisp white t-shirt, Ryan smiled at us.
“Ryan, nice to see you again. How can we help you?” I jumped right into customer service mode, because Ryan wasn’t my friend, or my anything other than my customer.
Ryan’s dark blond hair was hidden under a ball cap again, his tanned face shadowed by the bill, but those aqua eyes sparkled with amusement. His perfect lips slung to the side, as if he was fighting a smile.
“I would like a personal tour of the facility. Last night was a little crazy with all the photographers and phone calls.” Those familiar eyes hardened with the last two words.
Why would he care about my phone call?
“Absolutely. I can have Sondra show you around and get you all the pamphlets so you have the phone numbers and information for all the activities offered here.” I smiled while turning toward Sondra. Her shoulders drooped, her face ashen…she looked like she was about to faint.
“No. I’d like to request thatyoushow me around. Since we have history, I’d feel more comfortable with you being the person who’s with me, so I know my personal info and location won’t be shared,” Ryan explained smoothly, carefully drawing a shape into the counter.
“Sorry, but you can’t request that kind of service, and besides, you had everyone sign this.” I pulled the NDA from Caitlin’s grip, waving it in front of him. “No one will share anything.” I tried to keep my smile in place, but I was sure he heard how forced those words felt.
“That’s strange…the owner of the resort called me today, and he’s an old friend of my dad’s—I’m sure you remember that they live in the area.” Judgment-filled eyes bored into me as if he was tossing an accusation at me. “He told me I could request a personal tour, or even have my very own resort representative help me withwhateverI need so I don’t have to subject myself to unnecessary publicity.” He finished with an amused smile.
Shit times infinity.
“Well…” I tried again, gathering what embers I could to add fuel to my fire, but Sondra doused it.
“Mr. Prince, it would be our honor to have Bexley help you. There’s a resort cart she can use to drive you around if needed, to show you where the different sports centers are located, along with our restaurants and market.” She carefully grabbed the backs of my arms and pushed me around the edge of the counter.
I was going to kill her.
“No, I—” I tried again, only to have her cut me off.
“As supervisor and acting manager, I am asking you to help our customer.” She said the last part of her sentence through clenched teeth and narrowed eyes. I had a feeling it was a threat. I thought back to one of the conversations Judy had with me when I signed on.
“Our customers are the number one priority. Their satisfaction comes ahead of our own comfort.”
“Okay, Mr. Prince, I’d be happy to give you a tour,” I replied tightly, holding my hand out toward the stairs.
The blue glove on my hand made my gut sink. Right.
“Uh, let me just…” I pulled the gloves off and tossed them in the garbage can, and if I could have lived my entire life without Ryan Prince ever seeing me peel a pair of latex gloves from my hands, I would have died a happy woman.
“Thank you for accommodating me,” Ryan said as he followed me down the stairs.
“Don’t mention it,” I said, trying to force a smile, but my insides were shriveling into tiny pieces of nothingness.
“So, down here are the racquetball courts.” I pointed toward a white door, about to push it open, but Ryan continued walking toward the opposite hall.
Okaayyyyyy.
“I like your hair.” He walked ahead of me, so I had a beautiful view of his toned back under his t-shirt.
I touched the shorter ends of my hair. My hairdresser had said she thought I should try a layered medium cut with highlights. It was cute and I absolutely loved the vibrancy of the white blonde that the highlights captured in my hair.
