Page 745 of Not Over You

What’s done is done.

After perusing several applications, I pick out two that I think would be a good fit for the club. Their résumés are outstanding and I’m hoping their work ethic is as well. What I’ve found is, in the past, some have had amazing interviewing skills. Whereas some of them don’t practice what they preach once they’ve been hired on. It’s pretty much a hit or miss at this stage of the game.

I’ve selected a man and a woman to replace the two that were termed last night. I don’t show favoritism, I choose my staff to have an equal male-to-female ratio—if I have the qualified applicants. Now all I need to do is call them to set up their interviews, finish a bit of paperwork and I’m out of here.

The moment I hear ‘hello’, I don’t waste any time. “Hello, my name’s Zane Sinclair and I’m calling about the online application that you posted for Club Syn. If you’re still interested, I’d like to interview you for the server position that recently opened up.”

“Yes, I’m still seeking employment, Mr. Sinclair. And I’m available at your earliest convenience.”

“Well then, why don’t I pencil you in for two o’clock, tomorrow afternoon? I look forward to talking with you, Ms. Gray.”

“Thank you for the opportunity, sir. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

We say our cordial goodbyes and once I’ve placed my call with Mr. Addison, I’m ready to leave for the day. I’m right on schedule—until my ringtone chimes and I stop dead in my tracks. Dakota. A good friend with benefits. Suddenly my cock thickens in anticipation. She knows Monday’s my day off and our usual day to hook up. She probably stopped by the house and I was MIA. As much as I would love to sink deep inside of her wet and willing pussy, I’m gonna pass. I need to finish up a few things I started a long time ago, and I won’t get it done with Dakota’s luscious breasts on full display in one of her tight tees. Reluctantly, I shoot her a quick text.

Zane: Working today. I’ll see you next week.

Dakota: Can I stop by and sneak under your desk?

Zane: Not a good idea but thanks for the visual.

Dakota: Anytime Z.

That right there is the reason I like Dakota. She’s not one of those clingy friends who won’t take no for an answer. Whatever I say goes. As it should, because I am the Boss.

In the boardroom as well as the bedroom.

I’m just about to close shop and head on home when I hear an explosion of laughter echo throughout the empty bar. It’s unsettling, since I’m supposed to be the only one here. I go storming out of my office to see Drew bent over trying to catch his breath. While a distraught Mike looks like he’s about to hurl. I’ve known this man for quite some time and I’ve never seen him on edge like this before.

“What’s so funny, and why does he look like that?” I point at Mike and it takes him a lot longer to focus than I’d like.

Is he high? What the fuck.

“No, no, no. Wait. Mike, tell the boss about your little escapade this morning. This is fucking priceless.” Drew wipes away a few stray tears, walks behind the bar, pours two fingers’ worth of Johnnie Walker and hands it to Mike. I cock my head and my temper flares until he slams a ten dollar bill on the bar. “This one’s on me, Mike. Go ahead. Tell the boss what happened.”

I don’t want to be rude, but I really have a million-and-one things I need to be doing. This is not one of them. With only one day off per week, it’s imperative I run errands and catch up on other diversions. I now chastise myself for not staying late last night because I wouldn’t be standing here right now waiting for Mike to spill his guts. Which he doesn’t seem likely to do anytime soon. Whatever it is has him frazzled.

“Leave him alone, Drew. If he doesn’t want to tell me what happened, then forget about it. Look, I’d like to stand here all day and shoot the shit, but I have things to do.” I’m just about to walk away when Mike decides to speak up. Great.

“I’m totally screwed, Z. I wouldn’t be surprised if the cops showed up to arrest me at any moment. I overstepped my boundaries with a woman today and I’m sure she’ll press charges. She has every right to.”

Why would he put himself in that kind of situation? He knows I’ll have to fire his ass if he’s arrested. Suddenly I feel a headache coming on. Pinching the bridge of my nose to relieve the tension I ask, “Mike, what the hell did you do? I don’t have time to train a new bouncer because you’re playing duck fuck with an unwilling woman. Why the hell would you put yourself in that kind of situation? You know better.”

“No, it’s not what you’re thinking. I was driving to work and it’s raining cats and dogs. I was going a bit too fast because I didn’t want to be late. Anyway, there was a woman walking along and as I passed by, a wave of water hit her, soaking her to the bone. I felt terrible, so I pulled over to lend her a hand. Boss, the second I looked into her eyes I was a goner. They were the same fucking color as Elizabeth Taylor’s. You know how I idolize that woman.” Drew can’t hold back any longer. Once again, he cracks up laughing and Mike flips him off. Both barrels.

“Don’t pay attention to him, Mike. Just go ahead and finish your story.” Oh, he finishes it all right and it’s a doozy. For the life of me I have no clue why he followed her. Right. She reminded him of his idol. The idiot should have just mailed her the wallet instead of showing up at Brighton Condominiums. And, as if that wasn’t enough, he hunts her down in the elevator. How the hell did he expect her to react? “Look, maybe once she mulls it over, she’ll just be grateful to have her wallet back. I don’t think she’ll call the cops.” They both look at me like I’ve just lost my mind.

“Z, he pressed his body against hers while he stifled her fucking screams with his meaty palm. If you were a woman, what would you do?” Okay, Drew makes a valid point.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about it if I were you, Mike. We’ve been discussing this for some time now and there’s no one busting down the door to get to you. Now, if you’ll both excuse me, it’s my day off and I have a million things to do. And since it’s raining buckets, I really need to get moving.”

Drew scratches his head like it just dawned on him that I’m here. “Yeah, what the hell are you doing here?”

“Hiring two new employees since I fired a few last night. In fact, their interviews are scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. Now please don’t call me unless the bar’s on fire or Mike’s been arrested. Got it?” I have to chuckle when Mike’s eyes widen. Not sure if it’s about a fire or him being arrested. I don’t wait around for him to ask any questions, I just get the hell out of there as quickly as I can. I have things to do.

By the time I finally arrive back home, the sun’s already dipped below the horizon and my tasks are complete. I’m fighting with my keys as I try juggling my dry cleaning, Chinese takeout, and the mail I picked up at the front desk. I can feel the slippery bags slowly sliding through my arms as I place the bag of takeout on the ground. And wouldn’t you know, my phone decides to ring just as I’m placing the key inside the lock. Well, whoever it is will just have to wait one god damn minute. I’m tired, hungry and in desperate need of a drink. And, in truth, I still haven’t quite recovered from Mike’s story. I do believe the big man is smitten.

I go straightaway into my walk-in and hang up my dry cleaning. Then I head into the kitchen and grab a beer and a set of chopsticks. What? Did you think I’d use a fork? That’s for amateurs. Opening my container, I savor that very first bite and let all the flavors explode on the tip of my tongue. It’s nothing short of a foodgasm. It’s almost a shame to chase it down with a swig of beer, but I’m dry as a fucking bone from all this running around.

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