Stand Of Redemption(7)

“I thank you for your service to our company, but we will not allow that type of behavior from any of our employees,” her boss had replied.

Ria had looked at her boss, begging for another chance. “Mr. Lyon, I’m sorry for my outburst; it was completely inappropriate.”

“Get your things and get out.”

She had quickly cleared her things and gotten out as fast as she could. She had unsuccessfully applied to the only two other ambulance companies in the city. With her bills skyrocketing and her mother’s condition worsening, she had been left with no choice other than to take the job at the bar. Her pride had taken a hit, but it was worth it when she was able to pay the rent. Nicholas Brooks might be the local idol, but to her there was nothing to admire. He was no hero.





Chapter 3



Now, she tried to look at him without drawing his attention.

He was sitting in a booth across from a blond. He was wearing a sling. She assumed it would be coming off in the next couple of weeks. She wondered how long it would be before he could start fighting again.

“How bad was the break?” she asked Lacey.

“It was clean. I think the doctor said he’d be in a cast for four weeks, and then the sling until it healed. Dr. Hilliard said he should take at least three months before trying to fight again, but he also said he wants to check it before he starts training.

“Have you thought about approaching him and apologizing? Maybe he would be willing to help you get your job back.” Lacey looked at her inquisitively.

“I would rather wait tables than apologize to that jerk,” Ria responded with a frown.

“Okay, but I think you’re making a mistake. Of course, I didn’t realize you were enjoying your new job so much,” Lacey retorted.

“I’m not.” Ria felt her temper rising as she thought of him getting her fired just because of her rejecting him. “I’m not, but I’m sure as hell not going to ask him for a favor, either. He should be apologizing to me!”

“Are you kidding me? You know jocks don’t like to be rejected. You could have handled the situation differently.” Ria saw the fire in Lacey’s eyes again. It was clear that her reasoning didn’t explain her poor behavior in her eyes. Lacey would never understand. When she looked at men, her cold gaze intimated them, while they felt they had free rein to slide suggestive comments Ria’s way.

“You’re the one that told me to stand up for myself more!” Ria fired back.

“I meant when we were in a bar and a jerk wouldn’t take his hand off your ass, not when you were on duty.” Lacey sighed. “Ria, he was probably just trying to flirt with you. Men like him think that, because they’re local celebrities, no one will turn them down.”

Men who looked like that didn’t usually look at women like her for anything other than fun and games. She had thought he was attractive until he had opened his mouth. If he could treat a stranger with such ruthless disregard, then how would he treat someone he was in a relationship with? Ria felt sorry for the pretty blond.

She glanced back at their table, and could see the side of the blond. She was wearing a short skirt, snug shirt, and her hair had the sexy beach waves Ria wished she could figure out how to do to her own hair.

“Definitely not. I see his type, and I’m not it.” Ria turned to look at Lacey. “Nicholas saw me as the girl you get to give you a blowjob on the way home from work.”

“Ria, you still need to work on your confidence.” Lacey expression softened. “Quit thinking that because you’re half Spanish most guys only want to bang you.”

Ria was well aware of her sultry looks and had deliberately downplayed them since puberty. Now she had to highlight them to earn her tips.

“Okay, enough. Here comes Peter with our drinks.” Ria smiled at Peter.

“Ladies, you are going to adore this drink!” Peter handed them each a tall glass full of a pink drink with little umbrellas.

“They look fabulous, Peter.” Ria looked up at Peter to thank him and caught him staring at her.

What the hell is going on with the stares lately?

Ria and Lacey promptly took a drink then both oohed and aahed appropriately, and they weren’t faking it. Peter had a way of mixing the perfect toxin.

“Fantastic as always, Peter,” Lacey said.

Ria looked at her, surprised at how friendly she’d sounded. Peter should always keep a drink in hand to deal with Lacey.

“Thank you! The usual?”

They both nodded their heads yes; they always ordered the same meal each time they came.

“Do you think he flirts with all the women?” Lacey asked her eyes following Peter.