Page 4 of Eat Your Heart Out
He started the car. “It’s not far. I’m in town for my brother’s engagement party tomorrow, then I hoist off.”
At the last rich man’s party I’d worked, the caterers had ended up being prostitutes. That man had not had his parents there, though.
This man smelled like money. If he didn’t intend to murder me, I would have to drop my usual defensive shell and accept his job offer. He would likely pay more than the store’s minimum wage.
I sighed and wished this wasn’t my life as I nodded. “I don’t normally take handouts.”
As he drove, he said, “A job isn’t a handout.”
I wrinkled my nose and stared at him. He was muscular and could have any woman, especially with that intensity that clung to him like cologne. Yet I felt safe, which was funny. I’d never thought that about John. When I’d slept right next to him, every night for the past year, I’d half expected what had ended up happening.
I tensed my body as he drove to the nicer part of town.
I swallowed. “How do you even know I’d be good at waitressing?”
He gave me a sideways glance. I swear it was like he saw right into me, when no one ever blinked twice at me, even when I worked the register. My skin buzzed.
Then he said, “Well, I don’t know all the details, but it seems simple, and you seem bright enough to handle it.”
If he was on the level and everything was legit, I would be stupid to say no tonight. He drove onto a huge estate, and my heart beat wildly.
I nodded. “Look, I’d take the job, but I don’t have a passport.”
He parked at the front of the house, which had lights on inside. “Perfect. We’ll fix that.”
I shivered as cold enveloped me.
He acted like getting one was easy. I decided not to bring that up. “Where are you going for a year?”
He turned off the car and gazed at me. My skin prickled as he said, “Around the world. Anywhere you want to see?”
I let out a laugh. Most of my favorite actors were all from the same country, so I said, “I’ve always wanted to check out Sydney.”
His lips curved higher, and his face shone. “It’s on the schedule.”
I glanced out the window like that might shield me from him. “I hope going with you turns out… smart.”
He stayed where he was, and his voice snuck through my skin and into my senses. “Why would that worry you?”
I let out a dry laugh and stared up at the sky. “I don’t have the best track record for decision-making.”
He glanced at the door behind me then back at me. “Do you have a place to go?”
I lowered my head. He would honestly not understand my life at all. “No.”
He opened his door and got out. “Then be prepared for people celebrating at my house tonight.”
I opened my door only enough to ask, “They’ll let you bring home a stray?”
He nodded. “Absolutely.” He walked backward to the door, waving for me to join him.
I stepped out. No one would believe me if I said I was there. Not that I had anyone to tell. I took a step toward him, but it felt like I’d leaped over a huge ravine. I smiled and nodded. “Okay, I’ll go in.”
On pins and needles, I heard men and women laughing and talking. I trembled, as that sound usually came from someone else being humiliated.
A woman with dark graying hair all pulled up walked into the foyer. Her face was clean, and she reminded me a little of a younger version of my grandmother, whom I’d not seen in years.
She hugged Gerard then held his arm as she gazed at me with a huge smile. “Gerard, who’s this?”
