AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I grabbed the laminated menu on the table and raised it, covering my face. I sensed Erika turn around and heard her say, “Fate may have other plans, though.”
“What’s he doing here, anyway?” I hissed.
“Man’s gotta eat, too.”
“Yes, but we’ve never seen him in here before.”
“Looks like he’s trying something new,” said Erika, her voice carrying over the loud conversations around us. “Wait. That’s strange.”
“What is?” I asked.
“He’s not in line to order. It looks, well, he’s straining his neck. It seems as though he’s looking for someone.”
“Who?”
“How the heck should I know?” She paused. “Oh, boy,” groaned Erika.
“What?”
“I think he saw me,” she said.
“Oh, no!” I cried.
“Don’t worry. It’s not like he’s… Oh shit. He’s coming over here.”
I tried to sink lower into my seat, but it was useless. My cheeks burned, anticipating his reaction to seeing me here with Erika.
“Hello,” said Colton, his deep voice cutting through the loud lunch crowd. “Surprised to see you here, Erika.”
“Strange. I eat here every day.”
“You do?” Although it was a question, his voice didn’t seem interested in the answer. Instead, I felt his eyes on me. I knew I should say hello, but I just needed another minute to get my embarrassment under control.
“Is that you, Ms. Grady?” he asked.
My heart hammered in my chest and I could barely take a full breath. I lowered the menu and smiled weakly.
“I thought that was you walking into this place,” he said, crossing his arms.
Erika tilted her head and narrowed her eyes at him. “You followed her here?”
“Not exactly,” he said, shooting a glare at Erika. Straightening his tie, he turned back to me. “I forgot to tell you that I need you to start early tomorrow. Eight o’clock sharp.”
I nodded. “Not a problem.”
I prayed for him to leave quickly, but he just stood there, studying me. Oh no, here it comes. Then he fixed his gaze on Erika and back to me. “How do you two know each other?” he asked, waving a finger between us.
I gulped. Erika was right. I couldn’t go through with the lie. I couldn’t deny knowing her. Time to confess, and I hadn’t even made it to the first day. Dropping the menu onto the table, I looked him in the eye. “She’s my friend. She asked me to apply for the position—”
He put his hands in his pockets, raising his suit's lapels. Turning to Erika, he said. “Good work, Ms. Jackson.” He grinned at her with a smile that would have melted my panties had he given it to me.
Erika swallowed and nodded just as Colton tapped the table and left us sitting there, both of our mouths open.
“Damn,” said Erika. “He’s hot when he’s not being a jackass.”
I nodded in agreement.
She shook her head and smiled. “Lying with the truth. Not bad. Maybe you can make this work after all.”
