Chapter 12
CHAPTER
TWELVE
JULIETTE
Chewing on the corner of my lip, I decide that it’s time for me to talk, because taking turns staring at them is not going to fly much longer. And they’re being beyond generous, so it would be rude of me not to say anything.
Inhaling deeply through my nose, I hold my breath for a moment before I actually begin to speak. Although I don’t say much, since my voice doesn’t seem to want to work.
“I don’t deserve your kindness,” I whisper.
I’m overwhelmed, to say the least, but that is the truth. I don’t deserve their kindness. They don’t even know me, and here they are, giving me everything I could ever need or want. It feels too good to be true.
Elodie snorts as her gaze searches mine. Her eyes are sparkling as she studies me. Then she begins speaking, and my heart fills with what I can only describe as a warmth that begins to flow like honey.
“Honey,” she whispers, “you gotta be tough as nails if you’re going to clean that clubhouse. You might think it’s too much, but I’ve been doing it for a while, and you’d better get your stomach in order because that place is ga-ross.”
Alex chuckles, his gaze on me. “That’s an understatement,” he mutters. “Those men are disgusting, but it pays well, and they’re hot.”
“I don’t have any need for men, hot or otherwise,” I mutter. “I’m not a professional cleaner, but I’m willing to learn, and I’ll get my hands dirty, no questions asked.”
They both shift their gazes to one another, share a secret smile, and then look back at me. I can tell they think it’s funny that I don’t want anyone. But it’s true. I’ve had enough issues with Victor to last a lifetime.
I need to be alone for the rest of my life, hopefully in peace. I don’t want or need anything more with anyone else. Just silence, peace, and the idea that I can hope for happiness, however that looks.
“I’m here to work,” I state. “I’m over Victor, have been for a long time, but I have no desire to repeat any past mistakes. I need to stay single for the rest of my life.”
Elodie reaches for me. Her hand takes mine, and she slowly closes her eyes before opening them, her gaze on me. Pressing my lips together, I wait for what she’s going to say. I can tell she has something on the tip of her tongue.
“I thought the same thing,” she whispers. “But Coast is the best thing to ever happen to me. I’m not saying that the best thing to ever happen to you is here in Boulder City, or a man, but don’t close yourself off just because your ex is a gigantic douchebag.”
I know she’s right, but that doesn’t make it easier. Instead of telling her that, my lips twitch into a smile, and I dip my chin in a single nod. She’s giving me an opportunity that I can’t ignore. I’m going to be open to being friends with her and Alex.
“Okay,” I whisper.
“Both clubs—that’s where you’ll work. Be at the strip club on Monday and Wednesday at eight in the morning.
Alex will meet you there. On Tuesdays and Fridays, you’ll be at the motorcycle club at the same time.
You’ll meet either Alex or me there those mornings.
We take turns. You’ll have Friday through Sunday off, but before you work at the motorcycle club, you’ll need to sign an NDA. ”
This schedule seems too good to be true, but the NDA causes me to pause. I don’t understand how I can even handle this. The good news is that it will keep me busy as hell. The bad news is that it seems like a lot.
“Then after a trial run, we’ll discuss the permanent schedule,” she finishes her speech.
And there it is.
Trial run.
I decide right here and now that I’m going to be the best cleaner Boulder City is ever going to see. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but I’m going to do it the best. Because the last thing I want to do is lose this job.
This job might be my saving grace, the only way I’ll be able to get free of Victor.
This might just be what I’ve been looking for and waiting for.
NDA and all, even if it’s weird as hell.
It makes me wonder what the hell they could be doing there.
But then again, I won’t have to wonder for long. I’ll be finding out.
Maybe this is what I was meant to find all along.
Maybe all roads led me here—Dirty Little Secrets Cleaning Service.