Chapter 17
Harper
The drive to the airport feels odd.
Several days ago, I wanted nothing more than to get away from this place.
To get away from Ash and the villa he dragged me to, literally kicking and screaming.
But now, as we quietly sit in the rental car, the villa becomes smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror until eventually, fading completely from sight, I have to admit. I wish we didn’t have to leave.
Ash’s eyes are locked on the winding road ahead of us. He looks rather indifferent to it all, but there is something underneath his expression, buried somewhere within his dark hazel eyes. They’re the color of the sky before the clouds break open.
Listen to me. I sound like Darlene now, going on about the Universe as if it actually has a say in what happens to us. Although after everything that’s happened recently, I almost believe it. At least a little bit.
“I upgraded us to first class,” he says, breaking the silence in the car.
“Really? How did you manage that?”
“There were two seats available on the redeye, so I snagged them. They’re not together, but at least we can sleep on the flight home.”
“That sounds lovely,” I say. It really does, because tomorrow, everything will be back to normal.
Work. The snow and cold. Bad drivers and worse moods.
I pull out my phone, realizing I haven’t checked my email in a couple of days.
Not that it really matters, if Daniel needs anything from me, he always either texts or tells me in person. At least he used to.
I’m surprised, but not when I see an email from him. Is this how we are doomed to communicate now?
I open it up with a begrudging sigh, preparing myself for whatever it is.
“Is everything all right?” Ash asks as I read the first few lines.
Actually, that’s all the email is. A few lines. I instinctively scroll down, thinking maybe there’s more to it, but there’s not. Everything he wanted to say, he typed out in two neat sentences. Short. Sour. Concise.
“I got fired,” I say, not realizing that I actually said it out loud until Asher responds.
“What? Are you fucking kidding me?”
“No. It’s in an email. From Daniel,” I say.
“What does it say?” he asks.
“Dear Miss St. James. We regret to inform you that, after careful consideration, your position as a server at Silver Spoons Dining Experience has been terminated. We believe this is in the best interest of everyone involved. Best wishes on your future endeavors.”
Ash’s eyes ping-pong between me and the road in front of him. “That’s it?”
“That’s it,” I say. “Signed, sealed, and permanent. I am officially unemployed.”
I look out the window so that Ash can’t see my face. I know my cheeks are flushed, and there are hot tears in my eyes. If those tears spill over, I don’t want him to see it.
How could Daniel do this? I know it’s just a waitress job, but at the same time, it’s not.
I have regulars and a section that stays busy all night long.
I make pretty good money. Depending on the night, I leave a lot of my shifts with anywhere between $150 and $400 in my pocket.
Starting over somewhere else, most likely without a good review from my past employer, is a death sentence.
I spend the next minute and a half thinking about my bills, how long my savings will last, and wondering if my wedding dress is returnable. Meanwhile, Ash has been looking back and forth between me and the road the entire time.
“No, you’re not,” he says after a long moment while I silently spiral.
“No, I’m not what?” I ask, my voice cracking more than I hoped it would.
“You’re not unemployed,” he states, and I let out a bitter laugh.
“Except I’m pretty sure I am. The last time I checked, that was the definition of the word terminated.
“Harper,” he says with enough directiveness in his tone that I turn my head to look over at him. “I’m offering you a job.”
“You are?” I ask.
“Yes,” he laughs. “This is me. Right now. Offering you a job.”
“Where?” I stutter. “Doing what?”
“I happen to have an opening that I think you will be very good at,” he says.
I hold my breath. Is he for real right now?
Was all that time I spent with him these last couple of days making drinks and showing off my bar skills a low-key interview that neither of us could have predicted would come in handy.
“It’s at the office, actually,” he says, and I deflate a little bit.
“Oh,” I say.
“I need a personal assistant.”
“You want me to be your assistant at the office?” I ask just to make sure I heard him correctly. “I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but what I do is…”
“Yes. I know it’s not serving or bartending,” he says. “But I have been in need of a decent assistant for a while. It would pay well, salary actually, with benefits and bonuses. On the bright side, you wouldn’t have to deal with customers as much.”
“I like dealing with customers,” I say, knowing full well that I am pouting. “I’m good at dealing with customers.”
Ash doesn’t say anything for a moment. I know I sound spoiled right now. But all of this is a lot.
“Listen, I know all of this is a lot,” he says. “But the job I’m offering is a good one. It will pay a hell of a lot more than waitressing. It’s the least I can do since all of this is…kind of my fault.”
I don’t say anything because he’s not wrong, so I give up the battle. It’s not like I have any other choice right now.
“Alright,” I say. “I’ll take the job.”
I go back to looking out the window. As we near the airport, I can’t help but wonder what I’ve gotten myself into.