Chapter 1 Ember #2
“Yeah.” He chuckles. “He was kind of old school. He said that he liked things on paper because it was more permanent, but I think that was just an excuse because he was afraid to use his computer. Speaking of which, did you bring your resume? Don’t make me have to turn this fossil on to find it.”
I smile politely and reach into the billfold I’m carrying, then I hand him my copy of my resume and cover letter. He looks it over as he sits down. “Hmm. Manager at Schecky’s Restaurant for the last ten years? And a business degree. Wow. What made you want to apply here?”
I have canned answers for him. I’ve heard them a million times when I was on the other side of that desk.
But looking at this room, at the state of his desk and really everything else, I know two things.
One, Omar Rodriguez doesn’t have time for bullshit.
He’s a man who just got tossed in the ocean without a life jacket.
Two, I have neither the time nor the inclination for bullshit either.
Like it or not, I really need this job. So, let’s try another approach.
“Honestly?” I tell him, “I had a run of bad luck with the wrong guy and now I need steady work to rebuild my life.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Wrong guy?”
“It’s a long story, but the short version is that I fell for a guy who cheated on me and ran off with my savings. Also, if I can be blunt… well, looking at everything I’ve seen so far, you need somebody to get this place into shape and make more money than it’s making now.”
He narrows his eyes smartly at me. “What you’ve seen so far?” he repeats. “You mean just walking through the club? That’s a bold statement. You seem sure about how much revenue this club generates.”
“I’m not sure, but I do know that if you were making enough money, you wouldn’t be open quite so early. You’d also have a newer computer, maybe a little better decor.”
He purses his lips skeptically and his finger taps on the desk. Uh-oh. Shit. Did I misread this situation? Well… in for a penny, in for a pound. I’ve got to swing for the fences here.
“The thing is, Mr. Rodriguez,” I continue, “I’m a hard worker, and more importantly, I’ve already got ten years of experience running a very successful business. Wherever you’re at financially, I can build on it and double your profits by the end of the year.”
He cracks a smile. “Wow. That kind of confidence is… interesting. If you’re so good, why aren’t you still working for Schecky’s?”
The obvious answer jumps to the front of my mind, along with the shame of if. I swallow my pride and say, “Some breakups are messier than others. I… I had a little trouble keeping my ex out of my place of business.”
He tsks. “That is something I’m not unfamiliar with around here. Believe me. It’s also something that I really can’t tolerate too much of, if you get my drift.”
“Of course. That’s in the past. I’m quite single now and I intend on staying that way for a while. Once bitten, as they say.”
He nods slowly. “You’re sharp and you certainly talk a good game.” He regards me for a moment, narrowing his eyes. “You’re also a very beautiful woman. I realize I’m not supposed to say such things in an interview, but I have to take that into account.”
I adjust in my seat uncomfortably. Great.
Here it was. I thought we would actually do business instead of…
whatever the fuck this is. He sees my instant discomfort and adds, “Don’t worry.
I’m not coming onto you. Even if you were my type, I learned a long time ago never to shit where you eat when it comes to strip clubs. ”
I tilt my head at him. Okay… ?
“I pointed it out because I know the job a little better than you do. Pretty woman like you? You’re going to have a hard time getting respect around here.
Something happens to men whenever they walk into a strip club.
They get it in their heads that within these walls, everything with a pussy is fair game.
Like, the rules of common decency just don’t apply anymore. ”
I straighten up a little, trying to show that this idea doesn’t bother me, even though it does. “That doesn’t scare me. I can take care of myself.”
“I sincerely hope so. I don’t want to bail you out every time some idiot decides to whip out his dick.”
That makes me smirk. He’s not a short man, nor particularly diminutive, but there’s nothing about him that suggests that he’s even been in a fight before. I’d have better luck calling the gargoyle at the door.
“I think I can handle it.”
He nods, still smirking at me slyly. “Guess we’ll find out, won’t we? When can you start?”
And just like that, I’m employed again. I smile and tell him, “When do you need me?”
“Tomorrow night. Be here around four so we can go over paperwork and all that.”
I shake his hand, thank him, and then leave. It’s all I can do not to skip all the way down these stairs.
When I walk back out to the club, Natasha’s there waiting for me at the employees’ entrance. “Well? How did it go?”
“Say hello to your new manager.”
She squeals with happiness and wraps her arms around me. “I knew it! I knew you’d be perfect for this job! This is the best news. We need to go out and celebrate. Want to meet up after I get off tonight?”
“Sure,” I say. I could use a few drinks. “Right now, I need to get home and look through my closet and see how many business suits I have. I want to look sharp for tomorrow night.”
We banter back and forth as she walks me to the door. I’m so far up on cloud nine that I don’t see him as I turn to walk out the door.
I run right into what feels like a wall of muscle and I’m knocked off my feet. I land on my backside hard, my feet flying up, billfold tumbling to the floor. Pain shoots up through my palms as I brace myself against the hard floor.
This is embarrassing. Shit, I hope I didn’t hurt anything…
I look up to see him standing over me. Wearing a sleeveless black shirt that clings to his muscular chest and arms covered from shoulders to the backs of his hands in tattoos.
His dark hair is touched with gray at his temples and lightly through his beard.
He looks down at me with eyes the color of the ocean and a menacing scowl.
It softens as soon as our eyes connect. He cocks his head and says, “Shit. Are you okay?”