She seems to think for a moment. “In our case, I don’t think so. It’s not like we’re going to get married,” she says, laughing. “Okay. I won’t go crazy trying to understand why a man like you saw me and wants to be my friend. Since we’ve ruled out the main reason—”
“Main reason?”
“Uh . . . the possibility of you being interested in something more than just helping me.”
I stay silent. I can’t deny out loud again the attraction I feel.“I’m not trying to seduce you. That’s not why I offered the job.”
“But . . . ?”
“No ‘buts’. Is it so hard to believe in a good deed?”
“Yes, it is. When do I start working?” She changes the subject, suddenly seeming interested in the entire interior of the car and no longer looking at me.
“How many days do you need?”
“None. After I settle into this place where you said I’ll be staying, I can start as early as today.”
“No. Take the rest of the week off.”
“Will I wear a uniform?” she asks, catching me off-guard once again.
“No.”
“Oh!”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“I need to know everything you’re thinking.”
“Not everything,” she replies, cheeks flushing.
“I meant you should always be honest with me.”
“I’m always honest.”
“You argue too much.”
“And you’re too bossy . . .” she blurts out and then adds, “Sir.”
Damn, I shouldn’t find her insolence funny, but the truth is, I haven’t had such a stimulating conversation in ages.
“Yes, that’s me. A bossy and controlling boss. Now tell me why you seemed upset about not wearing a uniform.”
“In movies, hotel girls always wear a uniform,” she answers, and I have no doubt she’s dodging the subject.
“And would you like to wear one?”
“It would be more practical.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“Fine.” She sighs, seeming to surrender. “I don’t have formal clothes. That’s why I asked about the uniform. I don’t even know what people wear to work in a hotel.”
I don’t either,I think as I try to remember what my secretaries wear. If I’m not mistaken, they always seem to be in knee-length black dresses, but the truth is, I don’t pay enough attention to any of them. Contrary to what I told Olívia, I don’t deepen ties with employees, to avoid the same kind of problem I had with nannies—not blurring the lines of our relationship.
“Dresses.”
