Not Just Friends (Hot in the City #3) - T. Gephart Page 0,40

leave that job to Raelle.”

“Ha, you’re going to need new friends. I’ll see you later, Boss.”

As he left, my eyes moved to the monitors. Jared was at the bar talking to Hank and a few other staff members had started to arrive.

“So, are we keeping him? What’s the deal?” Raelle appeared in the doorway, Bennet having left it conveniently open.

She wandered in, falling heavily into the chair opposite me as she waited for my response. “He’s not a pet, Rae, he’s just hanging around.”

“Oh, oh, is that what he’s doing?” She feigned shock. “Please, we both know you’re both counting down the hours until you can get out of here and get busy. I’m surprised he isn’t in here, under your desk with his face in your lap. Have to admit, it’s kind of hot.”

Well, she wasn’t wrong. The idea of Jared going down on me at my desk was kind of hot. “That isn’t happening. We’re being friends instead.” I tried to keep the disappointment from my voice, not willing to advertise it hadn’t been as mutual as I was leading her to believe.

“Really?” She laughed, tossing her head back, unconvinced. “Well, O-kay then.”

“What’s that mean?” I bit back not liking the unspoken subtext.

Raelle shrugged, polishing her fingernails on her tight Tee. “Nothing, I’m agreeing with you. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

I narrowed my eyes, not trusting her for a second. “Rae, you don’t just blindly agree with me for anything whether it’s as your boss or your friend. What are you up to?”

She kicked up her legs, landing them onto the floor before leaping out of the chair with more theatrics than necessary. “Nothing, Boss. Better go help Hank prep the bar. I’ll see you later. Let me know if you need a ride home.” The stream of words following her out the door before I had a chance to question.

Great.

Not only did I have to try to act normally around a guy who was too perfect for words, but I had to wonder what my best friend was up to. And because I knew better I’d guess the two weren’t going to be mutually exclusive.

Ignoring what would no doubt give me a headache, I finished the paperwork I needed to do and then headed into the main section of the club. There, I worked each area, meeting with my supervisors and staff members, going through the expectations for the night and listening to any feedback they had. It was important for me to have my finger on the pulse, not willing to leave to be a figure head who sat in her office all night and barked out orders. I think they liked it too, having an avenue to voice their opinions or concerns without the red tape of a chain of command.

Since the club was still empty and I had a direct line of sight to Jared, it was also a welcomed distraction that I was incredibly grateful for. It would be easier when guests arrived, the temptation to go over and talk to him gnawing at me like an itch.

“Hey, Presley, there’s a delivery from our liquor supplier.” Hank caught me as I finished up with the VIP team. “They’re around back in the truck, want me to help them get it into the storeroom?”

“A delivery this late?” I checked my phone, our usual driver making his rounds much earlier in the day. “You sure he said it was alcohol?”

Hank shrugged, his face pulling into a grimace. “Yeah, Lenard is sick so some other guy picked up his route and is running behind. He’s sorry, but he couldn’t get here any earlier. He still has one more drop off after us.”

Late night deliveries were not only an inconvenience but created a safety issue too. Even with external security lighting there was a chance of tripping or falling. Or if you watched too many late-night movies, a gang of good looking but devious villains performing a heist.

“Okay, I’ll walk out with you,” I offered, wanting to make sure nothing shady was going on. “Marcus, you want to join us?”

I wasn’t stupid, not only was I limited in the help I’d be—my gold Lhuillier not practical for manual labor—but I wasn’t an idiot either. If anything unsavory was going down, I wanted Bennett’s second in command with us. The guy was not only ex-Special Forces but just like Bennett, could stare a guy into submission.

Marcus nodded, signaling to Bennett we were leaving as we walked out the