Page 15 of Beauty and the Grease
Chase sighs. “You probably shouldn’t have told him you’re my guest. There’s a company dinner tomorrow night and he’ll expect you there.”
Shoot. “Sorry. I thought playing along would help. I know what these things are like for you. It’s all about appearances.” And I’m dressed for neither of these retreats. I don’t belong. “It’s just…” I trail off, watching the guests peer through the windows examining the storm damage.
“Just what?”
“Well, the spa sounds kinda nice. I never do this—get away, I mean.” I don’t feel like I’m allowed. Not when I have to prove I can run a successful business.
His face softens. “You deserve a break. You work hard at what you do.”
I scoff. “You don’t know that.”
“I do.”
Chase is so serious sometimes. I forget that serious face he gets. Now on an older version of him, dang, is he convincing.
“We closed up shop and shifts are covered for the weekend.” Truth is, time away scares me. But I don’t have to sayany of this to Chase. There’s a perfectly good explanation for staying. “I saw how that guy Cliff acted around you and your colleagues downstairs. And how you all reacted. You’re afraid of him. You’re already stressed about being here. If I don’t take off right away, I don’t know, maybe you could use a wingman. Wingwoman. Wingperson.”
There. Messy and all. “Also, Gina said their retreat had a cancellation so there’s an open room.” I can’t believe I’m suggesting this. “If they’ll let me pay for the night, I could stay.”
Chase studies me, sending a blush across my cheeks. “Cliff thinks my divorce is a distraction from work. He overheard me one day arguing with Lisa—I was in the stairwell for privacy and didn’t hear a door open, but there he was, another flight up, listening. Lisa and I were having it out about her last-minute schedule changes, and in the end, I offered to take the kids to accommodate her. He pulled me aside later and told me I was weak.”
Instant disgust. “Okay, first, that’s gross and toxic. Your kids are a priority. And second, what an invasion of privacy.”
“Next thing I know, I’m taken off my biggest account. Cliff was punishing me.”
My disgust deepens. “He wouldn’t have known about your family stuff if he hadn’t been lurking like a creep.”
“Information is how he keeps us under his thumb. He gets dirt on us and uses it against us.”
Gross, again. “What’s the end game? So, he punishes you. What does that gain anybody?”
“Loyalty. Subservience. If you don’t play the game, eventually you don’t have a job.” Chase tugs at his shirt collar. He lowers his voice again. “On the way to his office two days ago, I saw him with his boss, so I waited outside the door. I overheard them talking about staff cuts. I heard my name. This retreat, it’s actually a test. They’re testing loyalty. Who shows up, who plays their games. That’s why I had to be here. Lisa tried to change plans with the kids again this weekend, and that’s what I was on the phone with her about when I ended up in the ditch. If I miss this retreat, I’m out.”
All of this sounds horrible. The job, Lisa (I was never a fan, sorry to say), and this whole loyalty retreat. “Maybe there’s another spot open for yoga.” My jokey offer falls flat and I know it. “I’m sorry, Chase. Now I made it worse saying I’m your guest.”
Chase sighs again. “Actually, being my guest is a pro for Cliff. He thinks unmarried men are untethered and a risk. He already ‘joked’ during a meeting about me not being able to find a girlfriend. He told another executive I’ll have to move into my parents’ basement since I gave all my money away in the divorce.”
“Yikes, this Cliff guy needs therapy. Or Jesus. Either one. Better yet, both.” I’m so glad I’m my own boss. “Did you, though? Give all your money away?” I internally cringe. “Don’t answer. Not my business.”
“I pay Lisa alimony, which Cliff sees as a failure of my divorce proceedings. Of course, I pay the kids’ child support and their private school tuition. If I lose this job, I can’t support them.”
That was going to be my next question, why not quit this terrible, awful job. But he has a reason.
Even though Chase caved to his parents and ended up with Lisa shortly after, I feel bad for his situation. Our lives took such different paths. I’m almost grateful for those spotty years of feeling depressed and giving up on dating. Believe me, I tried, but the apps filtered in the worst of the dating cesspool. I’d rather experience some morose longing every so often than a bitter divorce, custody issues, and a soul-sucking job I can’t leave.
The old Chase would be sick knowing where he’d landed. He’d been so full of life, so filled with adventure and promise. Our world together may have been small, but it was ours.
Maybe if I stick around, do a little yoga, surf a little turf at dinner tomorrow, Chase can show The Man he’s loyal andready for what’s next at this terrible job. I don’t owe him this, but my heart…my heart always leads the way.
“Don’t feel obligated.” He scans the lobby, likely for threats. “You don’t need to stay.”
Against my better judgment, I plow ahead. “I’m all in.”
CHAPTER 8
Chase
Jenny disappears with the yoga group, leaving me to check into my room. This place is like a cross between a two-story hotel and a high-end dormitory. The room is smaller than most hotel rooms I’ve stayed in, but it’s tasteful and quiet. I park my suitcase in a corner and lay back on the bed, letting my mind empty out.
