Reggie sighed, sounding aggrieved. “No one understands the importance of presentation anymore.”
I turned to Luka, who’d thrown on a thick coat and hat before coming outside. “What is his point?”
“He agrees with me that you have the potential to be a Guide. If you want to be.”
I stared at him and glanced sidelong at Reggie. “That was the point you were trying to make with your big presentation?”
Reggie frowned. “Well, excuse me for trying to give the topic the gravitas it deserved.”
“Did it deserve it?”
“Hey, I take care of the guests at Arete with a great deal of seriousness. Which means I’m just as serious about choosing staff. When anyone sees someone with potential, I pay attention.”
“I’m not sure I’m what you’re looking for,” I said with a shrug.
“Why not?” Luka asked. “Is it because of the escort thing?”
“That plays a part,” I admitted.
“Well, you don’t have to go around telling people that’s what you did. And if you did, so what? There’s nothing wrong with it,” Reggie said with a snort. “Even I saw that you’re empathetic and observant. You know when to let people be who they are while coaxing them to be more.”
“Look what you managed with Clay,” Luka said, smiling.
“That’s different,” I protested. “He and I?—”
“I know,” Luka said. “I’m not stupid. Before you, Clay never let anyone stay in his room except Cade, but they were like brothers. But you? He stayed with you and you with him, and people noticed and gossiped…a lot.”
“Seriously, people think men don’t gossip, but a few weeks here would change their minds in a heartbeat,” Reggie said, squeezing my shoulder. “Give it some thought. It’s an open offer, no time limit. I’m sure you have things to deal with first.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” I said, surprised by the offer. “I’m not quite sure what to say.”
“Don’t say anything,” Luka said, grinning as he stepped forward, and I accepted the hug. “Just think on it. Do what you need to do to make something of life, and…tell Clay we look forward to seeing him if he decides to come back.”
“Sure,” I said, squeezing him and holding out my hand to Reggie. “It’s been…an experience.”
He chuckled and shook my hand. “That’s what they tell me. I think it’s a good thing.”
“Overall, yes,” I said, chuckling. “Take care, both of you.”
“Hey!” Cade’s loud voice boomed across the drive from over by the bus, intentionally banging his metal leg against the van. “Ya comin’ or ya gonna wait for next season?”
Snorting, I gave Reggie and Luka a final wave and walked to the van, where Cade was waiting impatiently. I slid in after him. There were a couple of other guys, so I closed the door and gave the driver an apologetic smile.
“Everythin’ alright?” Cade asked.
“Yes,” I assured him. “Just saying goodbye, and?—”
Cade’s gaze swept my face, reading my emotions and frowning. “What?”
I glanced over my shoulder. No one was paying attention, so I shrugged and said, “They offered me a job as a Guide.”
His eye widened in shock, then a smile broke out. “Yeah? That’s great!”
“Is it?” I wondered. “I didn’t see it coming.”
“I mean,” he said, wincing as we drove onto the bumpier path through the woods. “I ain’t gonna say I knew it, but it makes sense. You’re good with people, and ya wanna help when ya can.”
“Perhaps,” I said thoughtfully, staring out the window, watching the trees slide by. “I suppose my work allowed me to learn the skills that would help.”
