Chapter 6
Chris
My eyes had to be playing tricks on me because I knew that Ben did not hire Melinda Bailey. Out of all the people in the world that were more than qualified for this position, what were the chances that I’d get stuck with her? Not that she wasn't qualified. Or connected. Or smart. Or effing smoldering hot. But still.
“Come on, come on. Let’s sit and get to know each other,” Ben said, handing over a new drink to Melinda. “Chris, you aren’t going to believe how lucky we got. I mean, you might have met in high school, but this woman has come far since.” He hadn't caught on yet. Probably thought we'd barely known each other.
We slid into one of the booths, black leather seats paired with a steel tabletop. She sat next to Ben while I got comfortable on the other side. I stared at her, trying to make sense of why she was here. Even though I knew she was a pain in the ass, she was still beautiful. Her blonde hair fell in waves over her shoulders, keeping her skin covered by those luscious locks. Her eyes were a bright, vivid blue, the kind that made you wonder if she wore contacts to get such a pretty color. She didn’t. I’d known what those eyes looked like since high school. And the only other time I’d seen them look better was when they were shut, her long lashes tickling my cheeks as we shared one kiss. Just the one. It happened when we were seventeen, but then she blanked me the next day.
Never in my life had I met a woman that challenged me as Melinda did. We’d competed in every subject during our classes in school. It was infuriating, and if I wanted to be honest, it turned me on and drove me to the edge of insanity.
“Melinda here comes from a family that has created an empire in the hotel industry. She has been working in marketing for years now.” Ben boasted, taking a long swig of his beer.
“Is that so?” I asked, watching Melinda as she twirled the straw around in her drink. She still didn’t look up at me. She kept her eyes focused on her glass.
Until she averted her eyes to Ben.
I clutched my drink in my hand, bothered that him having her attention bothered me. It shouldn’t bother me. I hadn’t laid my eyes on this woman in years. Sure, I’d thought about her some and may have Googled her once or twice, but that was natural.
“Yes, I am so glad that Ben saw something in me to make me a part of the team here."
Her eyes remained focused on Ben.
“I’d love to hear about any strategies you have discussed with Ben for the resort,” I said, and it was the perfect thing to say because it made her focus on me, those blue eyes filled with fire. It made the battle that had been lying dormant all those years roar back to life.
“She had ideas that involved all the social classes to make everyone feel welcome, from people making ends meet to the rich. She wants to have discounts for amateur athletes, PR packages for the elite members, and yes, it was her idea to bring the memberships, and the people living check to check get punch cards, you know, ten punches and a free rental. She said we should send them in the mail.
My interest was peaked, and I wanted to ask more when the bane of my existence stopped me.
“Chris?” Bess, a woman who owned a ski shop in town, interrupted the friendly banter between me and Melinda. Well, to anyone on the outside looking in, it was friendly, but she and I knew better. "I was wondering if you’d come down to the shop and sign some of the new boards that are arriving in the shop next week? I think it is going to be a hit.” Her hand landed on my shoulder, and Bess curled her fingernails in a bit, pinching my skin. Bess always threw herself at me, but I never cared for her. She had a dangerous desperate air about her. Plus, she had pale skin and long black hair that reminded me of a witch. Not the kind that'd charmingly bewitched you, but the kind that'd tear you apart.
“Sure, I’ll be there. Just send our new Marketing Manager here the date.” I gave Melinda a smug smile, and she put on a happy cheery one in return. The times I wanted to bother her, it never seemed like I did, and I think she knew it. It drove me crazy. It was high school all over again tonight.
“Absolutely,” Melinda said.
“Aren’t you that woman who dates that con−man?” Bess asked.
I got a bit more settled in the booth and brought my beer up to my lips, hoping Melinda would give us the scope. I felt bad that her name got dragged along with that asshat, and I would bet anything it was why she was here. She had needed to get away. And who wouldn't? I'd do the same. I’d just dragged my brother away from all his vices. So, I could understand the urgency to start over.
Melinda spilled her drink, and Ben stood up quickly so the cold drink wouldn’t wet his clothes. “I’m going to have to make sure your benefits include accident insurance,” Ben said, leaning over Melinda to grab napkins to help wipe it up.
Melinda stood, grabbing the napkins from Ben and the empty glass. “What can I say? I have terrible taste in men, and I'm accident prone in general, as you've seen.” I didn’t miss how she slid her eyes over to me for a brief second, making me clench my jaw tight at the small dig. “I’m going to go get a new drink.”
My eyes were glued to her back as she retreated from us. She leaned against the bar, tossing her long waves over her shoulder. For a moment, I saw the smooth expanse of her neck, and my mouth watered. She was a beautiful woman. A woman that knew how to push every button I had.
The bartender gave Melinda a half-smile when handing over the drink and when Melinda came back to the table, she stumbled. The glass flew through the air, landing over the bar, and Melinda’s fist hit Bess’s cheek right before she hit the floor.
Bess screamed, and Ben cursed when he helped Melinda up off the floor. "Woman, you are a train wreck," he said, holding her steady by the hand.
Nothing had changed at all with Melinda. She still tripped over air. I'd never admitted it, but I found it charming. Plus, she just hit Bess, who was currently running out the door to leave. She probably didn’t want anyone to see the bruise on the side of her lip.
“Oh my god, I’m horrified.” Melinda hid her face in her hands. “I knew I shouldn’t have worn these heels. On a good day, I only trip twice, but I’ve surpassed that.”
“You okay?” Ben asked, brushing a piece of her hair out of her face.
Ben was getting a little too comfortable with her if you asked me.
“I’m fine. I should probably go before I set the place on fire or something,” she sighed.
