Page 10 of Unruly Defender
“Well, he is the boss of me,” Yates mutters.“And I think I recognize you now...you work at Maggie’s estate, don’t you?I’ve seen you once or twice when I dropped off the books.So, that would also mean he’s your boss too.”
“Yeah, technically, Iamthe boss of both of you.”I’m wearing a big grin when Gracy’s eyes go wide with surprise.
“All of it is yours?”she whispers but it’s not for us, it’s mainly to herself because she slowly shakes her head and spins around to head out the back.
We make sure to follow her and drop her off at her bungalow before Yates follows me to mine.I have a lot to discuss and plan and none of it involves dragging my new friend in trouble along with it.Not only is it too dangerous for her, but it’s dangerous for me because she already occupies every dirty thought that pops into my head.
CHAPTER FOUR
– GRACY –
Igive the two peoplestanding in front of my desk a brilliant smile and thank them for their stay.They say their goodbyes and leave the lobby.I honestly can say that I love working here.Maggie has done a great job making this estate a success and it shows with the happy customers.
There are hardly any problems and if there is, we’ll be sure to fix it right away.Another thing I love about working here is the flexibility.By splitting the front desk work with another employee named Travis, I manage to balance my hours and not get stuck behind a desk all day, every day.
It also allows me to keep an eye on everything happening around here when I do my rounds.Normally Maggie would be the one checking up on things and walking around the estate to see if everything flows fluidly, but the last three months I’ve been slowly taking over.
Maggie doesn’t like to talk about her health but I’ve been noticing how she gets tired more often and has problems with walking around the estate when the temperatures are higher.It worries me but she doesn’t want to go to a doctor for a checkup.
She just waves me off and tells me she’s already taking it slow and it’s just because her body isn’t what it used to be and it’s all about getting older one day at a time.I make a mental note to mention it to Henley the next time I see him.
Though, I have no clue when the next time will be because the last time I talked to him was when he dropped me off after we went to the bar to find Yates.That was three days ago.I’ve only had glimpses of him jogging down the beach and watching him punch a punching bag dangling from the ceiling of his patio.His hands covered in white tape, body all sweaty and slick.
Yes, I have no shame, and I’m honest enough to admit I’ve been ogling him from afar.It’s not like he or anyone else saw me do it.He’s too busy working out and it’s too early for anyone else to be up at that time of day.
“Now there’s a sight for sore eyes,” a familiar voice rumbles and it makes my head whip up from staring at the papers I was checking.
Well, not so much checking, more like mindlessly staring at because I was mentally watching Henley’s sweaty body move in a loop of a memory I have branded in my mind.
“If I knew I was going to see your gorgeous face I would have dressed up.”My gaze collides with familiar eyes.
They are somewhat the same as mine—a ring of brownish green flowing to blue—because he too has heterochromia iridis, a genetic condition.Black glossy hair perfectly groomed with a handsome face showing off a radiant smile.He’s wearing a crisp black suit with a white button up shirt, radiating the high class he thrives in.
“Clemente,” I gasp, shocked he’s here because the last time I saw him was at my mother’s funeral.“I could say the same thing.”
His father and my mother have been friends since high school but his father left for Italy with his family right after they graduated.My mother mentioned a few times in the past how she never forgot her high school crush.A few months before my mother’s death they accidentally ran into each other and became fast friends again.Since me and Clemente are of the same age, the two of us became friends too.
