Page 106 of The Playboy

Me

I’m here! One down, one to go. Next one is starting any second.

Clementine

How do you feel? Have you eaten anything? Are you doing these interviews on an empty stomach?

Jesse

Mother hen is worried sick, obviously, and I’m an anxious ball of nerves. Text us the second you’re done.

“Brooklyn, hi.”

The sound of my name caused me to look up. I was relieved when I saw Jo was a woman not too much older than I was, and, oh man, was she strikingly beautiful. She had long black hair and the most brilliant blue eyes with cute little freckles underneath them. She had on a light-pink suit that I could never pull off with heavy gold jewelry that balanced the feminine touches of the outfit.

“Hi,” I replied and stood to greet her.

“No, no, please sit.” She came over to my side of the table and reached for my hand. “I really prefer to keep things as informal as possible. I’m Jo, by the way.”

As we shook hands, her smile was attempting to send a wave of calm through me. But it didn’t work. If anything, all it did was claw at the guilt.

“I’ve been talking to Macon over the last couple of days, and he’s told me lots about you, so I’ve really been looking forward to this meeting.”

Our sushi date had been three days ago. We hadn’t gotten together since because I’d been working doubles and juggling school to make up for the time I’d be here, but we’d texted and even talked on the phone. During all those conversations, never once had Macon mentioned anything about Jo or that he’d spoken to her.

I wasn’t surprised. I was just curious about what he’d told her.

“I’ve really been looking forward to it too,” I said.

Which was the truth, aside from the emotions eating at me.

“Great dress.”

I glanced down the front of me, forgetting which one I’d put on. I’d brought three in my suitcase and tried them on multiple times, taking pictures to send to my sisters, unable to choose on my own. But a quick peek reminded me that I’d gone with the tighter of the three. It was cinched at my waist with a built-in belt and hit at my knees.

“Thank you so much.” When I looked at her again, I knew my face was red. “It’s new.”

“Well, it was a wonderful purchase. It looks fabulous on you.”

Sweet, complimentary.

From our little interaction so far, she felt too nice to be fed lies.

“I really appreciate that,” I said softly.

“Of course.” She was holding a piece of paper, and as she moved to the other side of the table and took a seat, she placed it in front of her. “I’ve had a chance to look over your résumé. I see you’ve only had one job, which is awesome. Longevity and loyalty are definitely things I look for in a candidate.”

My stomach started to ache.

Because the one position listed was fake.

I’d put down that I was a server and did the inventory at Clem and Jesse’s bar. Since Jess filled in as assistant manager one day a week, I used her as my reference and changed her last name so it wouldn’t look suspicious.

Clem wouldn’t have been happy that I’d lied, so I’d made Jess promise not to tell her.

And I felt sick over it.

Sick that I wasn’t telling the truth, sick that I hadn’t yet told Macon that I worked at the hotel. I just didn’t want him to find out this way; therefore, this’d felt like my only option.

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