Chapter 2 – Kerra
“Tell me what happenedagain?”
My best friend Lexi sat next to me at Riley’s, her voice slightly slurred but her eyes bright with interest. We met after work at the local bar at least once a week to bitch about our awful jobs and horrible bosses. I had plenty of news to share tonight and most of it was annoying. We sat at a table way in the back where the loud music wasn’t too overpowering, and we had a bit of privacy.
“I was fired today.”
She frowned, gesturing to the bartender for another shot. I lost count of how many drinks we had both consumed and what the names were. At this point, alcohol was all the mattered. He nodded, sending the waitress our way with another round.
“Jeff asked me to come into his office to fill him in on the progress of my clients. I thought he wanted details on the recent gym memberships I brought in and what classes they were signing up for, but I was wrong.”
Lexi tilted her head to the side. “I still don’t get it.”
I had been working at Fitness Plus for the last two years as the only dietitian and qualified nutritionist on site. I helped dozens of clients reach their weight loss and health goals, but it wasn’t enough for Jeff. He was the manager of our location and insisted that I push class attendance, the higher priced memberships, supplements we sold, and anything else that resulted in extra money for the gym. I didn’t like to upsell my clients and he knew it.
“Jeff said I wasn’t meeting the requirements of my job and he would have to find another dietitian who was capable of completing the minimum sales requirements.”
She scoffed, shaking her head. “What sales requirements?”
“Exactly.” Jeff never mentioned any when I was hired, and I was positive none were listed in my hiring contract. He probably added them recently so he could fire me and hire someone else who would do everything he wanted.
“What a dick,” Lexi blurted, waving her hand in the air before it dropped to her lap. “I bet he was just pissed that you wouldn’t sleep with him.”
It was no secret he had asked me out a few times but that was before I started dating Tony. “I think you’re wrong about that.”
Shrugging, she pulled me from the bar and out onto the dance floor filled with bodies as they moved to the music. “We need a distraction. Screw Jeff. You’ll find a better paying job somewhere else.”
This was why I loved Lexi. She was always there for me, no matter what. “You’re the best!”
“Don’t you forget it,” she laughed, swinging her hips to the beat.
It wasn’t long before we were sweaty and needed a break. I sank into my chair as she rushed off to the bathroom and shifted my gaze to the people mingling around the crowded bar. I hadn’t seen this place so busy in a long time.
“So, how’s Kacie?”
I didn’t hear Lexi return, too distracted to notice. “She’s good. I can’t wait until she’s home. Not much longer now. Feels like I haven’t seen her in forever.”
“I don’t know how she does it. I couldn’t spend all my time up in space.” Lexi shivered. “What do you do in your spare time? Watch the stars?”
I snickered at her dramatic expression. “Maybe. Kacie has always loved them. The ISP is her life.”
Lexi opened her mouth to reply when she shut it again with a snap. Shooting to her feet, her eyes widened with either surprise or disbelief. Turning my head, I came face to face with a stranger in a dark, oversized sweatshirt that stretched over a wide, muscular physique and jeans that hugged long legs and powerful thighs while the hood covered most of his face, but it wasn’t hard to see that he was massive. I’d never seen shoulders quite so broad, but it was his height – towering above everyone in the room – thatreallycaught my attention.
His deep voice asked if I wanted a drink. Blinking, all I could do was stare.
Lexi nudged me in the ribs with her elbow. “Uh, thanks, but we’re heading home soon.”
The big guy nodded after a moment and turned away but not before I could feel the focus of his gaze as it slid over my body from head to toe. Something about the way he assessed me was both intriguing and uncomfortable. Even with his face covered, the power of his presence was undeniable. I had the distinct impression he wasn’t a local.
“Holy shit,” Lexi whispered. “He’shuge.”
“Wow,” I agreed. “You aren’t wrong.”
