Chapter 3
His ears were still ringing from the music, but Jay cheerfully escorted Betty and George out to their cars, helped the band carry equipment to their van, and went inside to make sure no one left anything. Rebecca followed, wringing her hands, and generally getting in the way. She clearly wanted to be helpful but didn’t know how. If he was a better person, he would stop to explain things and include her. But he just didn’t have it in him today. His mind was already a churning mess. And why didn’t she get that, for now, her job was to watch and learn? He’d looked over her resume, changing jobs every year or so. She should be used to being the new girl. The first week was always like this no matter who they hired.
“Do you remember what’s next on the schedule?” he asked, turning around suddenly and letting her bump into him. He’d done it purposely to hint that maybe she should stop trailing him, but as he gripped her arms to steady her, he instantly regretted it. His hands zinged with the contact. Her lips parted slightly, and he stared into her blue eyes, wishing his attraction to her was something he could turn off as easily as a light switch.
“Oh, um, a showing here at Las Palmas, right?”
He nodded. “A newly engaged couple wants to come see if it’s the right venue for their reception. We have a few minutes before they get here so let me give you a more thorough tour of the place.” He motioned to the ballroom, describing the square footage and flooring, the type of lighting available, and how many tables could comfortably fit.
“Wait.” Rebecca dug in her purse and pulled out a tiny notebook with a little pen attached.
He was glad she didn’t want to miss anything but he didn’t have time for her to write down his every word. “Rebecca, I have it all in a file. You can read up on it later. But it helps to see it in person as you hear the details. Let’s head to the back patio, and I’ll show you the Peace Garden.”
Rebecca stuck the notebook back in her purse and followed him out, close enough that he could never quite get rid of the scent of apple blossom now haunting him, bringing back memories he didn’t want to think about anymore.
At least Betty hadn’t insisted on making him dance with Rebecca. He’d been waiting for it, coming up with casual excuses in his mind for why it couldn’t happen. But thankfully, they’d been allowed to remain congratulatory wallflowers until Betty and George left.
Rebecca gasped as she stepped out onto the back patio, taking in all the tropical flowers, trees, and winding paths. It was quite a sight to new eyes.
But Jay zeroed in on the bird poop marring the redwood deck. “Dang birds.” He pulled out his phone and texted the maintenance guy, reminding him to trim back the tree the birds were perching on up above.
“We need to get the hose. It’s over here.”
Rebecca beat him to it, probably happy to have something to do. She sprayed off the deck and he turned off the nozzle and recoiled the hose for her.
***
She wished they could stay out in the garden forever. It was lush and beautiful, and instead of silences and Jay’s clipped explanations, she could listen to the birds and the gurgling water fountains.
“We better go to the front and wait for them.”
Rebecca reluctantly followed Jay back to the entrance. The five minutes until the engaged couple arrived felt like eternity. Rebecca was too tired to ask any more job-related questions. A young couple got out of a silver sedan, both wearing skinny jeans and twin expressions of disapproval.
During the walk-through, they mostly whispered to each other when their faces weren’t glued to their phones. Rebecca didn’t try to add anything to Jay’s descriptions of the place, and he didn’t act like she was there at all. She might as well have been a ghost.
At the end of the tour, Jay asked them what they thought, and the girl shrugged.
“It’s not our style. Thank you for showing us around.” She tugged on her fiancé’s hand, and they ran out to their car together.
Jay gave them a final wave and sighed. “I knew they weren’t interested within the first five seconds.”
“Then why did we spend all that time showing it to them?”
He turned to stare at her, and she lifted her chin a little, knowing some kind of dumb lecture was about to come out of his mouth. “Never mind. Don’t say it.”
“Don’t say what?”
“That we’re professionals and we have to make a good lasting impression, and they might tell their friends about us.”
“Very good, Rebecca.”
She wanted to wipe the amused little excuse for a smile off his face. It didn’t matter what she said or did. Somehow, he was going to twist it and make her feel stupid over and over again today. But she wouldn’t quit. She needed this job and she wanted to be here, even if it hurt to see Jay treat her like this.
He showed her how to lock up, and their fingers brushed as she handed him back his keys. Her skin practically thrummed at the contact. Stupid attraction. She didn’t understand how someone who made her so mad could also make her weak in the knees. It was the complete opposite of their former easy-going relationship. But analysis would have to wait.
They returned to his fancy car, and he drove them to the next appointment. Lunch. Al’s Catering wanted to be a subcontractor for them, and Jay assured her they’d pull out all the stops to impress.
“Where are we meeting them?” she asked.
