Chapter 10
Ilie on my new bed staring up at the ceiling with a stupid smile on my face. I survived day one. Knowing I’m going to burst if I don’t tell someone what happened today, I dial Cassie’s number, impatient for her to pick up. “Cassie, you’re never going to believe who my boss is,” I whisper into the phone, not bothering with hellos.
“Who?” she asks, sounding excited.
“The sexy stranger with the Southern accent,” I blurt out, biting into my lip. I still can’t believe it.
She starts to choke on the other end of the line, coughing and spluttering.
“Are you okay?” I ask, concerned.
“Just choking on my noodles. That wasn’t what I was expecting you to say,” she splutters.
“Sorry. It wasn’t what I was imagining when I arrived at the hotel this morning for my first day of work either.”
“I bet.” She chuckles. “Well, it’s a happy coincidence then. You liked him, right?”
I sigh heavily. “The night we had together was hot as sin. But I don’t really know him well enough to know if I like him. We had fun, but maybe that’s all it was ever supposed to be. We never expected to see each other again. And it’s really more inconvenient now, because he can’t date staff. It’s against company policy. And he’s different here, broody. Oh, and get this, I didn’t start on the reception desk. During orientation, I met his sister who’s in charge of recruiting, and she decided I should take over the event-coordinator role. Twice the pay and with my own office,” I squeal, still not believing my luck.
She bursts out laughing. “You really are the lucky one, Gigi. I don’t know any other person on this planet who would be hired for an entry-level job and score a promotion on day one.”
“But I’m not even Gigi Kelley here. No one, with the exception of Brody, knows who I even am.”
“I don’t think it matters what you call yourself, hun, you just have a knack for landing on your feet. It’s a good thing, own it.”
As I’m talking to her, I shrug out of my blouse, knowing I need to get ready for dinner with the girls, Paisley’s treat. “I’ll let you know if that is still true after I get through this weekend’s two weddings,” I say, anxiety dancing in my stomach. Emerson thinks I can do it, but I won’t feel good about it until I survive this weekend.
“Yeah, that sounds like it’s going to be a whole lot of fun.” She laughs.
I wiggle out of my skirt, flicking the phone onto speaker so my hands are free. “How’s the new show going?” I ask, not missing it at all.
“As well as can be expected without you,” she says sadly, and I feel bad.
I slip on the dress I have picked out. It’s a cotton summer dress in a lavender color. “I miss you too,” I tell her, even though I only saw her a couple of days ago.
“Oh, but get this. Dallas didn’t get the best part, so in overly dramatic fashion, he picked a fight with our new casting director in front of the entire crew, not realizing he wasn’t going to take his shit like the old guy did. He erupted at him, causing Dallas to stumble backwards and tumble right down the stairs. He couldn’t get himself up fast enough and stormed out of the place, threatening just about every person in there. It was hilarious! I wish you were here to see it. Told you karma would bite him in the balls.” She is cracking up laughing by the time she finishes the story.
“I can’t believe I missed it.” I giggle, imagining the look on Dallas’s face as he tumbled down the stairs.
“It was awesome, Gigi.” She wheezes as she tries to catch her breath and stop laughing.
There’s a knock at my door, and Mae calls out telling me we’re leaving for dinner in ten.
“Gotta run, the girls I’m living with are taking me out for dinner and a drink.”
“I’m jealous but have fun. Talk soon.”
“Thanks. Tell Brandon I said hi,” I add before hanging up.
I chuck on a pair of white high-top Converse and head out the door to meet the girls.
My new roomies have brought me to their favorite spot to grab dinner and a drink, McAllister’s Bar and Grill. With its inviting atmosphere, exposed brick walls, and the aroma of smoky barbecue, it oozes Southern charm. The soft glow of string lights overhead sets the perfect mood for a relaxed dining experience. The television at the front plays highlights of a football game, and the four of us sit in a booth looking out over the empty main street.
With an ice-cold sweet tea vodka lemonade in hand, Paisley fills us in on her disastrous morning. The poor girl had been seeing this guy for nearly a month, thinking he was some handsome older man who wanted to spoil her. Turns out he was married with a family, and she was the side piece. She’s a lot calmer now than she was this morning, even able to laugh about it.
“Y’all, it’s not like I was in love with the guy. I just expect a little more respect than that, you know.” She shrugs, polishing off her drink.
I finish off the last of my shrimp and grits while I take in the place. I can see us spending a lot of time here over the next few months. The food’s delicious and the staff are super friendly.
“So, Gisele, what unfortunate series of events brings you to our sweet little town?” asks Emerson, popping another fry in her mouth.
“Just needed a change.” I shrug, not wanting to get into it. As nice as these girls are, they don’t need to hear about my controlling father. And after his call this morning, I would prefer not to think about it.
“In other words, another shitty boyfriend you needed to move halfway across the country to get away from,” Paisley adds, probably referring to what I admitted to her this morning.
“Something like that. The last guy I dated was definitely someone I don’t want to bump into anytime soon, and we used to work together.”
“Yuck. Well, we’re glad you’re here.” Mae smiles. “You make a sunny addition to our little group.”
“What did you think of your first day at The Alexander?” Emerson asks. “I’m sorry you got thrown in the deep end and I had to leave you with Brody, but there was a mix-up with some other new staff I needed to get sorted.”
“I guess it was different from what I was expecting, but I thought I would be on the front desk, not talking to brides about their weddings. All in all, I liked it.”
I see a radiant smile on her face in return. She’s thrilled to know I’m not about to quit on her like the others. “Turns out you’re perfect for it. And if you ever need anything, I’m just next door. Events are my baby, and I have grown it to where it is now. I wouldn’t leave it in just anyone’s hands. I have total faith in you.”
I return her smile, so grateful she does, and I really want to be good at this job. Today was kind of exhilarating when I wasn’t shitting myself. “I will do my best for you.”
“What do you think of Brody?” asks Paisley, her lips turning up at the sides into a sassy smirk. What does she mean by that?
I glance around the table, wondering what I’m supposed to say here. Why did she even ask me what I think of him, in front of his sister? Can they all see right through me, and they know he screwed my brains out back in New York? I search for words that don’t make me look as guilty as I feel. “Um, he’s okay, I guess,” I say, not wanting to give away how well I really know him or what I think of him. Like the fact that he is a conceited jerk who accused me of stalking him and moving states just to be close to him. I can’t believe his audacity. Even if I thought something like that, I would never say it to someone else.
“Is he? Most of the staff think he’s a major jerk,” says Mae, her head tilted as she takes me in.
“Really, why?” I ask, needing to know what the rest of them think.
“He came in a month ago, started throwing his weight around, and he has been a pain in everyone’s ass since,” says Paisley. “I only flitter in and place flowers and even I know that.”
Emerson gives her a look like she’s being harsh. “Hush your mouth. You have to admit, since he took over, we’re at ninety-five percent capacity every night instead of fifty. He might be a grumpy asshole, but he knows what he’s doing.”
“Do you think he’s the reason all the other coordinators quit?” I ask. Emerson might be his sister but even she seems to think he’s an ass. Hopefully she will tell me the truth about what I’m in for.
They look at each other, and I don’t need them to answer, their faces say it all. I swallow the lump in my throat as panic sets in. I need this job to work out. I know I nearly walked away twice today, but that was my emotions controlling my actions. If I actually did quit, I would be good for a month tops on my savings. I gave up everything I had back in the city on a whim hoping I could find something more fitting for my life. But maybe my parents were right and this will be the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. I sip my cocktail, trying not to panic.
“I’m sure it will be different with you,” Emerson offers. She must have noticed the look of panic on my face. I don’t know how I could have gotten him so wrong that night. He seemed sweet and caring when he swooped in and saved me from Dallas, but maybe that’s just his act to get into girls’ pants. The asshole boss I saw today looked more like who he really is.
“Hey, girls, thought I might find you here tonight,” the guy I met today in the restaurant, Elliot, says, sliding in next to Mae. Another guy slides in by Paisley’s side. He smiles toward me kindly.
“Gisele, this is Parker. You’ll see him around work as well; he’s part of the fix-up crew, as well as being Paisley’s brother. Gisele’s the new event coordinator,” Mae explains.
“Nice to meet you, Gisele,” Parker says with a genuine smile that tells me he means it. He extends his hand for a friendly shake. I can’t help but smile back. He’s handsome in a boy-next-door kind of way. Shaggy chestnut-colored hair that curls a little on the sides and caring deep brown eyes.
“Can I ask what the fix-up crew is?”
Mae giggles, winking at Parker. “It’s the name we’ve given to this lot.”
“When my daddy died and left the hotel to me and Brody, it was a disaster. No one knew how bad he let things get, but it was just months away from financial ruin. I enlisted some help from our friends, and now we’re all working on fixing it up together.
“Parker is an engineer and property developer, so he’s working on bringing the hotel into the twenty-first century,” Emerson explains as Parker nods, pride in his eyes. “Elliot trained as a chef in the Army; his family also owns a handful of restaurants in town, so he’s our food guy, working with his daddy to fix up the menu for the restaurant and our wedding-and-events side of the business. We also have Noah, who travels up from Jacksonville to help out when he can. And, of course, Brody does all the financial stuff and management.”
Mae covers her mouth like it’s a secret. “He doesn’t like to think of himself as part of the fix-up crew.” She laughs.
I nod, thinking that sounds about right. I don’t see him as a part of anyone’s crew; he seems like more of a loner, sitting in that office of his, brooding.
As we all settle in to chatter about their lives here, I’m starting to relax and have fun. These guys are all so nice, accepting me into their group already. Just as I start to think maybe I can do this, I see Brody walk through the open door, and I involuntarily roll my eyes. “Is there no other spot to eat dinner in town?” I mutter, mostly to myself.
“This is the only place worth eating at on a Monday night,” Elliot says with a chuckle. “Actually, ever, unless you are staying at the hotel. The girls told you my family makes the best food around, right?”
Brody glances over here, and I realize I’ve kept looking at him a little longer than I should have while our conversation continued. He raises a brow in acknowledgment, and I quickly avert my gaze, not wanting to encourage any misinterpretations.
My eyes meet Elliot’s, and his lips turn up at the sides. “What was that, Gisele?” he asks, a mischievous playfulness in his expression.
“What?” I say back guiltily, feeling the weight of all eyes on me.
“The look you two just shared. You got a thing for your new boss?” All eyes come to me, and I want to hide under the table.
I feel my cheeks heat. “No,” I practically scream across the table, trying to dispel any notions of an office romance. How the hell did he work that out from just one glance across the room? One where I’m pretty sure I was scowling.
“Looks like lust to me,” he jokes, and I might have only met this guy today, but he is about to earn a punch in the arm if he keeps this up.
“It’s not. I was just disappointed to see him, that’s all. Who wants to see their boss outside of work?” I try to cover my reaction, but it just seems to make it more obvious that I am, in fact, infatuated with the man. I don’t want to be, especially after the way he treated me this morning, but there is this lingering attraction hanging in the air between us. I’m sure it’s only because he was able to do what no man has ever done before and brought me to orgasm not once but three times in the one night. My body is just fascinated with him, that’s all it is. I don’t like the man in any other way or want anything to do with him outside of work. He made it obvious that it’s totally against the rules to date management, and even if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t go there again. Getting involved with people you work with is a terrible idea. I learned that lesson the hard way back in New York with Dallas.
“Sure, sure. But you might want to get the drooling under control because he’s coming over here,” Elliot teases, and Paisley joins him, playfully egging on the situation. I take a deep breath, fanning my face, and attempt to compose myself as Brody approaches the table, his presence demanding everyone’s attention.
“Did you just get finished for the day?” asks Parker, sounding all chummy with Brody. I want to hide even more. They’re friends, and he just witnessed the teasing. It’s going to get back to Brody, and I’m going to look like some kid with a crush when that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Yep, just grabbing a quick bite to eat, then I’ll get back to it.”
“You should join us,” Elliot suggests, glancing my way. “We’re showing Gisele here a little Southern hospitality.” He winks at me, and I want to hide under the table even more. Instead, I glare daggers at him.
“Another time maybe. I need to get set up for the management meeting in the morning. Gi-Gisele, can I borrow you for a second?” Brody demands, his attention fixing on me.
I feel the atmosphere of the table change. I’m sure all eyes are looking in my direction, but I’m too afraid to check. I sigh and reluctantly stand from my seat.
“See you guys in the morning,” he says in the boys’ direction then walks toward the front of the building.
For someone who doesn’t want anyone at work to know we know each other, he’s not trying very hard to hide it. I don’t bother answering, not wanting to make a fuss in front of my new friends. I just follow.
When I make it out front, he’s leaning against the stone wall of the building glaring at me. He looks annoyed, and I wonder what I did to piss him off already. I thought I had dealt with my workload well today. I did everything on Emerson’s to-do list, but maybe I have screwed something up already. “I thought you would have been more responsible than to be out drinking on your first week of work,” he grumbles, surprising me. He has pulled me aside to hassle me about drinking? What is he, my father?
I roll my eyes, unable to help myself. “I had dinner with some coworkers. It’s called team-building. You should try it sometime,” I retort, my irritation bubbling to the surface. I don’t appreciate being scolded for a harmless dinner with newfound friends, when two days ago I didn’t know a soul in this town.
He crosses his arms over his chest, his expression stern.
“Are we really doing this?” I look at him with a mixture of disbelief and annoyance. What overbearing planet is he from? He scowls back at me, deadly serious. “I guess we are. I’m not sure what kind of hold you’ve had over your other staff in the past, but I will do whatever I like with my free time. Including having a meal and a drink, just the one, with my new housemates. You have nothing to worry about; I will be back at work bright and early tomorrow with a smile on my face, ready to deal with your grumpy arrogance.” I stare up at him, feeling a new surge of annoyance. In less than twenty-four hours, he has all but destroyed the image I had of the suave, chivalrous man who came to my rescue and gave me a night of fun I wouldn’t forget anytime soon. This man standing in front of me is someone completely different, and I don’t like him very much at all.
“You’re living with Mae and Paisely?” he grunts out as if he’s disgusted by the idea. For some reason, I kind of hope he is. His snippy attitude toward me is irrational and over the top.
“Just up the road from here. You know them both?” I smile sweetly, rubbing it in.
He makes a grunting sound like he’s unimpressed. “Mae’s okay, but you need to watch out for Paisley,” he says as if it’s a statement that’s supposed to make me change my mind about them or something. “I’ll tell you the same thing I do Emerson; that girl is trouble, and you should stay away from her.”
“Why is that a problem? I’m here to start a new life. Sounds like I scored the friend jackpot then. I need to get out and meet some new people and have a little fun. Maybe even get into some trouble,” I tease him, because his bossiness is annoying me. He might be Emerson’s brother, but he’s not mine.
“Just be careful,” he mutters, sounding like he cares about my welfare. But something more is going on here, something I don’t understand.
“Thanks, Mr. Alexander, I will be.” I smirk at him playfully. “If we’re done with this lecture, I’d like to get back to my friends, see what trouble we can get into on a work night.” I start to walk away from him until I feel his hand take mine, pulling me back toward him. His skin on mine makes my heart skip a beat. The air leaves my lungs, and I get momentarily lost in his intense eyes.
He looks at me like he has something to say, but instead, he just keeps staring back at me with what looks like longing. “What?” I say, more as a plea than a question. My heart is racing being so close to him. My eyes drop to his lips; they’re full and lush, and I remember what it felt like to have them on my skin. His shirt is slightly unbuttoned, his tie gone, and his hair is all messy on top like he’s been running his hands through it. Why is his hand on mine, and why does it feel like it’s where it should be? He said so himself that what happened between us will never happen again now that he’s my boss, so why is he holding my hand like he can’t let go?
“Give me your phone,” he demands.
I blink back at him. “Excuse me?”
“So, I can put my number in there in case you need me. You’re new in town, and if you actually do get into some danger, I want you to know you have someone you can call.”
He really is worried about my safety. I don’t know why, but I hand him my phone and watch as he enters his number. I’ve never received so many mixed messages from one person before.
“Mr. Alexander, your gumbo is ready,” calls a freckly-faced teenager in an apron as he holds up a takeout bag. He hands me back my phone, and I slip it into the pocket of my dress. He takes the bag from the kid.
Reaching into his wallet, he pulls out a couple of bills to tip the teenager. “Thanks,” he says with a nod, acknowledging his effort. Then he turns his attention back to me. “See you at eight in the morning.”
I furrow my brow in confusion, still processing that moment between us. “Eight? I thought I started at nine?” I stutter out.
“I have a meeting I want you to sit in on. Mary, my assistant, should have emailed you the details today,” he explains. “Also, I’m not sure if she mentioned it or not, but you won’t need to wear the company uniform unless you have an event. Normal office wear is sufficient.”
“Okay, see you in the morning,” I respond. Walking back inside to my new friends, I feel his eyes on me every step of the way. I slide into the booth, trying to get my heart under control. What was that?
“Everything alright?” Mae asks, with a mischievous smile. I only met this girl yesterday, but I can already tell she wants the gossip. Paisley is also giving me all her attention, leaning in.
“Just work stuff, a meeting I need to attend in the morning,” I tell them, not wanting to give away what it really was. I glance down at my phone, pretending to be engrossed in checking emails, mainly because I have no idea what else to say. He called me outside in front of them all to tell me I have chosen the wrong friends? To check up on me? He’s so confusing. And the way he looked at me when he took my hand, what the hell was that? And giving me his number in case I get into trouble. I check my emails and see he wasn’t bullshitting me; there is an email from Mary stating I have an early meeting in the morning. Then a text pops in. It’s from someone called My Southern Hero. And I have to cover my mouth to stop my laugh escaping.
MY SOUTHERN HERO: One more thing. I’m sorry I was an asshole today. I was surprised to see you. Tomorrow will be better.
I see the message above that, sent from my phone to his number, which he must have written when he was entering in my number. It says: Thank you for a perfect first day. How lucky am I to have my own personal hero as my boss. I can’t help but laugh again. Is this guy for real? This is the guy I met in New York. He’s fun and playful, naughty even. Not the grumpy asshole I met today.
With a stupid smile on my face, I go to text back, but the sound of Parker’s voice stops me.
“How did you find your first day?” Parker asks, taking a sip of his beer. He’s more reserved than Elliot, but he has a calmness about him I like.
I smile at him. “Honestly? Overwhelming. I feel like a fish out of water.” I chuckle nervously, twirling a strand of hair around my finger. “It’s going to take me weeks to get on top of it all and actually understand what I’m doing.”
“You have Em, and she’s the best. The rest of us go in and out of the place on the regular. If you ever need help, one of us is always close by.” He nods reassuringly.
“Thank you. Southern chivalry is a real thing.”
He nods. “You bet it is.”
“Glad I picked Georgia for my life-changing adventure then.”
He sips his beer, looking me over. “What did you do back in New York?”
“That’s a good question, isn’t it? She’s being very secretive about it,” says Paisley, moving in closer and butting into our conversation.
“I’m not. I told you I worked in theater.” I shift in my seat.
“Uh-huh, and that was it. What did you do there? You have to give us something more to go off. It’s exciting having someone new around.” Paisley leans back, a teasing smile on her face.
All eyes are on me again, and I feel my face heat. I’m not ready to tell them who I am. I don’t want them treating me differently. I glance at Parker, and he smiles at me sympathetically. I like him already. He’s quieter than the rest of this group and more reserved. It’s hard to believe he’s Paisley’s brother, they are so different. He watches what’s going on around him, unlike his sister who is all go. She talks a million miles a minute and likes to have the attention on her.
“Leave the poor girl alone. Clearly, she doesn’t want to talk about it,” he tells his sister, and she rolls her eyes at him dramatically.
“You ruin all my fun. I’m not trying to be pushy, I just know it’s going to be an interesting story. I’m just going to say it: Gisele, you’re like the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. I’m kind of obsessed with how blue your eyes are.”
A gentle warmth spreads across my face in the spotlight of their collective eyes. I nervously play with the edge of my drink coaster. “Thank you. I will give you all the juicy details of my life in New York another time.” I smile at her. “I might head home for the night. I’m exhausted, and I have to be at an early management meeting in the morning.”
“I’m beat too. You coming, Paisley?” asks Mae.
“I’ll catch up with you guys in a bit,” she tells us, eyeing off some guy across the room and adjusting her hair.
“Nice to meet you, Gisele. I’ll see you in the morning for that meeting,” Parker says, extending a hand to shake, and I wonder who else is joining in on this meeting. Maybe it’s the whole fix-up crew?
“See you then, Parker.” I return the handshake, the warmth lingering in my palm.
Elliot winks at me as I slide from the table, and I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
Mae takes my arm, hooking it with hers. “So, you think you can call this place home?”
“You know what? I feel more at home here after one day than I did in all my twenty-three years in New York. I think I’ve found not just my home but my people.” I smile at her, feeling blessed. She hugs me, and I reciprocate, grateful for the newfound warmth in my life.
When I finally crawl into bed, I pull out my phone and stare at the messages from Brody. There’s one more.
MY SOUTHERN HERO: Hope you’re tucked up safely in bed, ready for a big day at work tomorrow.
GISELE: You’re taking this protective hero job way too seriously.
I decide to send another, just so he won’t worry.
GISELE: But yes. Don’t want to piss off my grumpy boss on my second day.
The three dots dance, and I know I’m about to get a response from him.
MY SOUTHERN HERO: I heard he was supportive and approachable, loved by all.
GISELE: Don’t know who gave you that impression. The guy I met today was a real grump.
I laugh to myself as I hit send.
MY SOUTHERN HERO: You better get to sleep, don’t want to get on his bad side. I hear he’s into punishment.
Oh, shit, did he really just write that? I read it again. And yes, he did. Now he’s flirting with me, picking up right where we left off in New York. I think about messaging something back, maybe playing along, but decide to leave it. He’s right, I really do need to get to sleep, and while sexting him could be fun, he’s already made it way too clear nothing can ever happen between us, so why get myself all worked up. Today was massive, and something tells me tomorrow will be just as full-on. Even through my exhaustion, I can’t wipe the stupid smile from my face. My steamy one-night stand just became my boss.