Has she met the Hayes family?It was only a few days ago Paisley watched the duck chase a guest around the gardens whilst smiling.Said guest had been an asshole to the cook.
“The Harrison couple are still in the mud room, the two friends are having facials right now, and the other group are outside in the hot tub.If they had been in close proximity, Malia would have toned it down,” I lie.
Emma flips her blonde hair over her shoulder, pulling her ruby red lips into a forced smile.Her green tunic clings to every inch of her body, leaving no give for movement.I won’t be surprised when it splits.Paisley offered to order her the next size up, but the young girl refused.
“It seems I didn’t need to worry,” she forces out.
Alison steps around the corner, wearing her matching tunic.“Worry about what?There’re no more reporters outside, is there?I swear, I would never make it as a celebrity.Having all those cameras thrown in my face would give me anxiety.”
“No, no, nothing like that.Emma was worried about Malia spending her lunch break over here.She wasn’t aware that Paisley told Malia it was okay,” I reply sweetly.
Alison’s smile brightens.“I love the new girl.She’s the one who recommended to use the tumble dryer to get my niece to sleep.Normally we would ask my mum about something like that, but they aren’t on speaking terms still.Young pregnancy and all that.”
“Sunshine, did you forget about our lunch date?”
There’s nothing forced about the smile on my face as I hear his voice.He grins back at me as I turn to face him.“You said half one.It’s one o’clock.I still have half an hour.”
“And I happen to be on good terms with the boss.I’m her favourite.”
I rest my hands on the counter.“I’m sure I heard her say the twins hold that spot.”
“No, definitely me.I have the T-shirt to prove it.”He leans over, pressing his lips to mine.“Teasing aside, I wouldn’t have come over here had she not told me to.I was waiting for you inside the bed and breakfast.She said you worked an hour later than you needed to last night.”
My heart melts at his words.He respects my job and the hours I work.He isn’t using the fact I work for his sister to get me whenever he wants.Today is the first time he’s ever entered the spa to meet me.He will normally be hanging out by the gates or sitting with Paisley.
“Okay.I’ll meet you outside.I just want to grab my bag from the staff room.”
“I need to grab a bag from the bed and breakfast kitchen so I’ll meet you by the back steps.Be quick.I’ve missed you,” he tells me, kissing me once more.My heart beats wildly as I watch him strut back outside.
Man, I’m so fucking lucky.
“Well, I guess that explains why you got the job,” Emma announces cheerfully, slapping her hands together.
“Emma,” Alison gasps, her eyes wide as she stares at the small blonde next to her.“That’s not nice.”
“We both know I’m qualified for the job.You said so yourself; you never understood why Paisley never gave it to me.I had been doing it until she started.Now we know why I didn’t get the job.She’s fucking a Hayes.”
“You think I got the job because I’m fucking Reid?”I ask, both eyebrows rising at the absurdity of it.
“Didn’t you?”
The nerve of this girl.“Probably.I am good in bed.Did you not get that question in your application?It had been one of Paisley’s requirements when she was hiring,” I remark sweetly.
Am I hell responding to the bitch with facts.She probably wouldn’t believe them if it was Paisley answering.I snatch my phone off the counter and leave the room before I say something I’ll later regret.Probablyregret saying later.
“Emma, don’t.Stop,” Alison warns gently.
I grab my bag from the locker Paisley allocated to me before heading back out into the main room.I don’t look at either of them as I walk through reception.Emma is now sitting on the stool behind the desk and Alison is leaning over it, like she had been whispering to Emma and stopped when I came back out.My happy mood has evaporated when I step outside.
Emma saying those things were to hurt me.They were said out of jealously.I’m not being modest when I say I’m more than qualified for this job.I am proficient in all aspects of my job title.Adept in everything I need to know.What I wasn’t sure of—which had mostly been products—I spent nights reading up on.Not just materials Paisley sent home with me, but from what I researched myself.It annoys me that women still have to defend how they got to where they are, especially to a woman.
Reid is waiting on the steps when I reach the bed and breakfast.A frown mars his face as he gets to his feet.“What’s happened?”
“Nothing,” I lie.“Can we go somewhere that’s not here?”
“Not until you tell me what’s wrong.”
I scan the area, and aside from a group of guests in a nearby hot tub, I don’t see or hear anyone else.I still don’t want to say it here, not when there’s a chancesomeonecould overhear.“Can we go somewhere and I’ll tell you there?”
