“No, I’d say screw Lee, but you’re not allowed.” He loved this. Bastard.
“What was that guys’?” Lee stood up from where she was bending in the refrigerator and looked over at us.
“Oh, Kyle here was just enjoying the view,” Derek said grinning. I kicked him under the table. What the fuck was this, the sixth grade? “It’s a beautiful day after all,” he added, pointing towards the kitchen window. Smooth.
“Nice one asshole,” I muttered just for his ears, as I kicked him again.
“Dude, quit it,” he moaned.
“Yeah, it’s a beautiful morning,” Lee agreed completely oblivious to the true meaning of Derek’s words. Thank god.
“So what are your plans for the day? Any hot date lined up tonight?” God he was sadistic, fucking torture me some more.
“Hardly,” Lee muttered and I breathed easily again. I didn’t realize I’d been holding my breath, waiting for her answer.
“Really, why not? It’s Friday, you should be going out and having some fun. I can’t believe a guy hasn’t asked out yet?” I was going to kick his ass and enjoy doing it.
Lee blushed and poured some milk into a glass. “Well you should,” she said quietly, “No one has.”
“I could hook you up with on my friends. They all think you’re hot, especially Dixon.”
Lee spluttered her coffee, as she looked at me briefly before focusing on Derek. “I’m not sure,” she replied quietly. He was baiting me out; it was working.
“Ow dude what the hell?” Derek cried pushing back his chair.
“Oh sorry man, did I step on your foot?” I stood up and walked over to where Lee was standing. I purposefully leaned too close to her to get a cup from the cupboard. She shivered when my chest rubbed against hers and my ego swelled. Yeah, fuck Dixon, she was aware of me. “Do you want to go out with Dixon princess?” I stared straight at her and she shook her head eagerly. “Hear that Derek? She doesn’t want to date any of your asshole friends. Leave her alone.” I had to leave then; getting too close to her was dangerous.
Lee
I made my way down the stairway at the back of the hotel that eventually led to a private doorway outside. It was a much longer route than taking the elevator and cutting through the restaurant, but it was much safer than potentially facing Rachel in the restaurant, or Kyle. Work was going well. Linda gave me as many shifts as I wanted and Mike was the just the sweetest person. I was looking forward to my lunch hour so I could listen to him regale me with all the gossip on the ground floor.
“Hey, you made it.” Mike smiled at me from the picnic bench where he was sitting.
“Hey, sorry I’m late.” I sat on the opposite side of the bench. Mike preceded to hand me a plastic covered sandwich and a soda.
“It’s just cold cuts of beef today I’m afraid. We’re fresh out of tuna.”
I smiled gratefully, “Thanks Mike, beef is great.”
He grinned, nodding. “Oh good, I wasn’t sure if you were one of those vegetarian girls. You always have fish in your sandwiches.”
I snorted. “You’re the one who makes my sandwiches remember? I’m not fussy about my food, but truth be told I’m a red meat kind of girl.”
We slipped into easy conversation and I actually snorted soda from my nose when Mike told me about the last big drama at the hotel. “No way? Are you for real?” I asked, through laughs as I patted my napkin to my face.
“True story, Mindy was in housekeeping and I guess you could say she got too up close and personal cleaning his, uh, family jewels.”
I gasped. “Isn’t he the guy in Washington? A senator of something?”
Mike chuckled, “Not anymore. Their affair was leaked to the media. You wouldn’t believe the amount of journalists and pap’s around here at the time. It was huge news; a public figure having it off with the underage housekeeper. The boss was furious.” He paused, frowning. “I’m actually surprised he hired you. After the drama with Mindy, he doesn’t hire young girls. There was too much of a backlash for the hotel from the media, not to mention Mindy’s parents.”
I took another swig of my soda, while I thought about what Mike said. I guessed that’s what Derek had been suggesting a few weeks back when he asked me where I worked. “What’s he like? Our boss I mean. Have you met him?”
A vein twitched in the Mike’s neck. He seemed to ponder my question. “Yeah, I’ve met him,” he said flatly. When he noticed my worried look, he smiled. “When he’s here he’s a good boss. He’s usually jetting off around the country to the other hotels. Most of the staff seem to like him, though Linda is the one who really runs this place. ”