Rowan #3
I would never be sure whether coincidence or fate shifted the universe.
Because that was the exact moment Luka appeared, looking around until he spotted me.
His expression turned to surprise, as if he hadn’t known I was here, then to shock when he saw Mr. Shepherd, and he looked almost panicked.
It was only when he saw me give him a wry twitch of my brow that he ducked his head with a sheepish look.
Mr. Shepherd turned, clearly seeing that a silent conversation was happening, and made a soft noise, gesturing for Luka to come over.
Luka flashed a nervous smile, but he came over with that same sheepish look on his face.
He didn’t seem to know where to stand, looking between the chair next to Mr. Shepherd and the spot on the couch next to me.
Sighing heavily, I took Luka’s wrist and pulled him down onto the couch.
He briefly flailed but caught himself by gripping my thigh.
His eyes narrowed, which I didn’t relieve by smirking at him.
His expression only changed when my eyes flicked to where his hand was still on my thigh, as he sat a little too close.
His face flushed, and he snatched his hand away as though it burned.
I was left with the lingering warmth and sensation of his hand on me as he smiled at Mr. Shepherd.
“It’s been a while, Mr. Shepherd,” Luka said brightly, as though he hadn’t just accidentally copped a feel and acted guilty as sin. “I hope you’re doing well.”
“As well as ever,” Mr. Shepherd said as he watched Luka. “I hear you’ve been busy. How has that been going for you?”
“Yes,” I said with a smirk. “How has it been being my Guide? Do tell.”
Luka gave an aggrieved sigh. “It has been an...enlightening experience, I can say that much with complete confidence.”
Mr. Shepherd laughed. “Fair enough. I think that’s the consensus among new Guides.
It can feel like a massive responsibility for one person, but those who get through without losing their hair often say it wasn’t as hard as they’d thought.
A bit like being asked to solve a riddle; in retrospect, the solution seems obvious. ”
“Funny, I used to love riddles,” Luka muttered, fidgeting as if now he’d moved his hand, he didn’t know what to do with it. It was probably egotistical on my part, but it amused me all the same.
Ever since I’d dropped my offer to him a couple of days ago, he had been.
..different. Not the same as he’d been after we’d fooled around.
That had been, from how he’d reacted when I confronted him, like someone doing everything to avoid something out of shame and guilt.
Two emotions which, as I had pointed out, were unnecessary.
As I’d already said, we were adults, and I wasn’t vulnerable as his guest, so he hadn’t violated an ethical principle by deciding to have a bit of discreet fun with me.
This felt more like him pretending to be back to normal while mulling over my offer.
Not that I would hold that against him. I had a head start thinking about whether I wanted it and if it was worth the risk before I confronted him.
I didn’t need to do any more thinking. We were adults, we were competent, and it was obvious we were interested in each other.
That alone was enough in my book to continue as we were without worrying, especially because we both had reasons to keep it quiet, unlike others in the resort.
“Well, in my experience, the answer is sitting in front of us and quite obvious,” Mr. Shepherd told him with a smile. “The best thing is to try not to get to the answer too quickly. The answers will come at some point if we’re willing to find them.”
“Just chill, man,” I said in an exaggerated, calm voice. “Go with the flow.”
“I was raised by a hippie family, so you’re not far off the mark,” Mr. Shepherd chuckled. “Their laissez-faire attitude toward life wasn’t the best for raising children, but they had valuable lessons. And they were right that it’s important to let life take its course.”
“That sounds like an excellent way to get into trouble,” Luka said with a snort. “I don’t know what you know about me, but hopping from thing to thing and going with the flow hasn’t been the most beneficial thing for me.”
“I suppose that depends on your idea of beneficial,” Mr. Shepherd said with a shrug.
“I imagine many would look askance at your erratic work history, but you have consistently stayed employed even if you hopped around. Perhaps you tanked your credit, perhaps you haven’t set up a retirement plan or made sure you’d be financially secure if something were to happen. ”
From the look on Luka’s face, he was probably not that secure. His refusal to look at Mr. Shepherd indicated as much. “Uh, well. If I do well here, it could help set me up for the future. And I know, Reggie told me this was a non-profit, so there’s no piles of cash.”
“True,” Mr. Shepherd chuckled. “I can afford to keep my income to a pittance, and I try to make sure my people are well taken care of for their efforts. That said...yes, there is a glass ceiling of sorts.”
“The benefits are great, though,” Luka said with a laugh. “Better than anywhere else I’ve worked. Oh, uh, not that that’s the reason I’m here.”
I frowned. “You’re allowed to cite the benefits of the job as a reason to take it. That doesn’t make you any less qualified or any less interested in helping people. There’s no need to be embarrassed about taking care of yourself.”
Luka sighed. “And here I am getting lectured by the man I’m supposed to be helping.”
Mr. Shepherd laughed softly, aware we were in a quiet room.
“And why not? You’re a Guide, not a teacher or a parent.
Even then, you can still learn from those you’re teaching, or in your case, those you’re helping.
Help isn’t a one-way street; it can give and take, just like any relationship. You just have to keep an open mind.”
“Right, yeah, of course,” Luka said, but I didn’t think he was taking it in. The man had started the conversation on the back foot and hadn’t recovered, and now he was being hit with advice he wasn’t equipped to digest.
“Well,” Mr. Shepherd said, checking his watch.
“I’ve taken up enough of your time. I wanted to check in personally and see how you were faring.
And of course, see how you and Luka were doing together, but that clearly isn’t a concern; the two of you seem to have found a good working relationship.
Reggie was right...again, but do us all a favor and don’t tell him I said that. ”
I snorted. “Did you believe Luka wasn’t fit for the job?”
“Oh, I learned a long time ago when it came to hiring, I should keep my nose out,” Mr. Shepherd said with a chuckle.
“I have a good sense for people, but there is a world of difference with people as employees. Reggie is an expert on the latter...though having a solid team has helped. Still, he can be difficult if he’s praised too much. ”
I thought of Hannah and grimaced. “Smug and insufferable?”
“Now, I’d never say something like that about the longest running and most successful member of my staff,” Mr. Shepherd said with a quiet smirk.
“But, yes,” Luka added, growing more comfortable now the topic had shifted to something he could sink his teeth into. “He absolutely means it.”
“I will let the man who was trained and evaluated by him judge,” Mr. Shepherd said. “It’s good to see you’re both doing well. I hope that continues.”
We watched him go, and Luka frowned. “You know, if I thought you were the sneaky type, I might think you set that up to prove your point from the other day.”
“I am not without intelligence, but a setup is not my style,” I said, not sure whether to be insulted. “And the other day was an opportunity I seized rather than set up.”
“I figured,” Luka said with a snort. “It’s just...weird.”
“What is?”
“I mean, the conversation with Ramirez makes sense. It was an opportunity, you took it, and that’s fair, I guess. But today with Mr. Shepherd just...happened. And it’s weird...among other things.”
“What other things?”
Luka frowned and shook his head. “I don’t know. Just random thoughts in my head. I think I’m making a bigger deal than I need to, don’t worry about it.”
“I can’t say worrying is in my nature, but it’s certainly not foreign to me,” I said, raising a brow. “Should I be concerned?”
“No,” he said with a smile. “It’s nothing to worry about, just thoughts, and thoughts aren’t always a bad thing, right?”
“I suppose,” I said with a frown.
“Seriously, don’t worry,” he said with a little laugh, patting my knee and pushing to his feet. “By the way, what’s your normal routine for dealing with the pain?”
I squinted. “Through meditation, yoga, and vigorous lifting exercises.”
“Fine, don’t tell me. But if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I told him, meaning it.
He stared at me for a moment, opening his mouth and then shaking his head. “Stubborn and proud.”
“It’s a family trait,” I told him with a smile. “Though you are persistent, so perhaps you are the pot speaking of the color of kettles.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he said, rolling his eyes. “So, anyway, I’ll see you later. You look like you were pretty busy before Mr. Shepherd showed up.”
I looked at the table and shrugged. “I was interrupted, but don’t worry on my account.”
“Is that your way of saying I should hang out?”
“You can, if you want.”
“Yes, God forbid you give a straight answer,” he said with a snort before dropping into his seat. “I guess I’ll just annoy you then.”
“If you so wish,” I said, leaning back. “It’s not as if that’s different from any other time.”
“You say that, but I think you like me.”
“You can tell yourself that if you so wish.”
“You know what? I think I will.”