Chapter 10
CHAPTER
TEN
JULIETTE
Tipping my head back, I look up at the condo in front of me.
Wow. It’s really damn nice. I can confidently say that I’ve never once lived anywhere this nice in my entire life.
Just standing in front of the building seems like it’s almost too much.
I shouldn’t be here. It’s far too good for me, and there is no way they’re going to give me a job.
I don’t even have to ring the bell before it opens. There, standing in the doorway, is a beautiful man. He’s tall and handsome, dressed in a pair of golf shorts and a polo shirt. This neighborhood is too rich for me.
Far too rich for me.
He smiles, and I can tell that it’s genuine and kind. I wouldn’t consider myself a great judge of character, but he just feels like good people. I watch as he tilts his head to the side, his smile still playing on his lips, his eyes searching mine.
“I would invite you in, but that might be weird, and I don’t want to freak you out. There’s a bistro table and chairs here,” he says, motioning to the chairs set up on the front porch. “We don’t really do interviews, so I wasn’t sure what the protocol was.”
Dipping my chin in a single nod, I make my way toward him. I only stop when I’m close enough that I don’t have to shout. I don’t know what protocol is, either, especially since I’m trying to get a job under the table. It seems like we should be meeting in a seedy bar or something.
“I’m Juliette,” I introduce myself as I extend my arm, holding my hand out for him to shake.
“Alex,” he states, slipping his fingers into mine and curling them around my hand.
We both dip our chins in a single nod. He drops his hand from mine, and I do the same. He turns from me and walks over to the chair. I follow behind him. Sinking down into the seat of the chair, I can’t help but wonder why the hell I’m here.
I should just go get a job in a bar or a strip club or something.
It would make more sense than this. I don’t know what I’m even doing here.
This is obviously far too upscale for me.
He clears his throat and leans back in his chair.
I watch him nervously, waiting for him to speak and wondering how the hell I ended up here.
There is no way I’m qualified for what they want me for, and unfortunately, I’m going to have to hear him tell me that to my face. I know it’s a cleaning company, and while I’m not a slob, I don’t know how to clean anything professionally.
I wait a little too long to say something, so Alex begins to speak. And as he does, I know my expression must be that of confusion because I never expected him to say the words he’s saying.
“We clean for a motorcycle club once a week, along with some residential homes, and we just took on the strip club at the edge of town. Is there anything that you don’t do or have a question about?”
I shift in my seat. I want to tell him that I don’t know what I don’t do because I’m not professional by any means. I can wipe down some stuff, but actual cleaning? I’m going to need a lesson.
“I need to work under the table,” I whisper.
His eyes widen, and he leans forward slightly. He places his elbows on the table, his eyes on mine, and he smirks. “Do tell,” he purrs.
“Tell?” I ask.
“There’s a story there, and I would love to know.”
My stomach instantly twists at the thought of telling him the truth. What if he doesn’t want the drama that comes with me?
Juliette Rowland is all kinds of drama.
I hate it, too. I never was that person, not before Victor. But now I’m full of the drama. Something that I didn’t think I would ever be, but here I am… drama central. But Alex wants to know, and I debate telling him the truth, but if he finds out I’ve lied, I really won’t get the job.
I need a job.
So I tell him.
I tell him everything.
“I’m on the run,” I confess. “My ex won’t leave me alone, no matter where I go. He always comes for me. I’m from Southern California. Las Vegas was the longest I’ve been able to stay until he found me last night. I ran until my car died. And now I’m here.”
“With no car?” he asks.
I can’t believe that’s all he asks me. “I walked and had it towed. But since it wasn’t worth having it towed, I went ahead and sold it for scrap metal to the tow-truck guy.”
“Oh shit, babe,” he hisses. Okay.
This is it.
I’m done for.
Maybe that strip club he was talking about needs a waitress. I mean, I can’t strip, but I’ve done my fair share of serving drinks. I stand, clearing my throat before I speak. I’m shaky, but it’s obvious this was never meant for me. It’s too good.
“I appreciate you taking the time out of your day…” I begin when he holds up his hand.
“Park it, babe,” Alex interrupts.
My ass slams down on the chair, and I press my lips together as I look into his eyes. He is grinning like a maniac. Then he leans forward and reaches out, curling his fingers around my forearm.
“Girl, welcome to the team.”
I stare at him, blinking, unbelieving that this is real.
Did he just hire me?
Am I awake?
Is this real?