Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
A bit nervously, I followed Rocco inside. It would be cool to see what kind of kitchen this place had. But once we were inside the door, he immediately stopped and turned to face me.
His eyes swept up and down my body, but the look in his eye wasn’t the same as when the guys had first spotted me in my swimsuit. “Do you really think this is appropriate attire for someone who’s supposed to be working this week?”
I took a step backwards before I caught myself. “I am working this week. I gave two massages this morning.”
“And you spent the afternoon horsing around in the pool. Need I remind you that you’re not a guest?”
I flushed. “I know that.”
“Those young men are trying to do something noble. They need to focus, not be distracted by that tiny thing you call a bathing suit.”
“It’s the only one I could find,” I said defensively before I could stop myself.
Rocco ignored that. “You’re not a guest. If you don’t have massages to give, you should stay in your room.”
“Which is a guest room,” I pointed out. “Not a staff room.”
“So?”
“And I was invited to swim by other guests,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
That didn’t faze the angry chef one bit. “They may not know your place, young lady, but I do.”
My heart sank. I didn’t need this right now. I’d already heard enough crap from my father about being down here this week.
I braced myself for whatever nasty thing Rocco was going to say next, but then I heard a new voice.
“Coming through.”
It was Carlos, and his arms were full of plates and barbecue tools. He deliberately stepped between Rocco and me, and I saw sympathy on his face as he walked past.
My mind was still reeling, but my body knew what to do, and I followed him out the door.
I caught up with Carlos, intending to thank him, but then Tye spotted me. “Where’d you go?”
“I just… stepped inside for a moment.” My voice sounded almost steady.
Tye looked at my face. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
He nodded, accepting that. “There’s beer over there in the cooler. Our plan is to take turns manning the grill while the other two keep studying. Can you quiz us?” He held up a study guide.
They needed my help—of course I could. But then Rocco brought out a platter of vegetables on skewers, and my face fell. I didn’t need any more lectures from him, not today.
And besides, maybe he was right. Not about me not knowing my place—that was classist crap. Carlos was hired help, too, and he didn’t seem to hide in the shadows. In fact, he was at the grill now, drinking beer and talking with Dominic.
But the bottom line was that I wasn’t here to socialize or take a break. My life back in Chicago was a mess, and if I didn’t figure something out soon, I’d have to commit to another year of staying with Frank.
I looked up at Tye. “Actually, all this sun has given me a bit of a headache.”
He studied me. “Yeah, that can happen, especially when you’re not used to it.”
“I think I’m going to go back to my room and lie down.”
“Good idea. You look a little pale. Do you want me to bring you food later?”
I mustered up a smile because it was a nice offer. For a brief moment, I had a sensory memory of how his hard body had felt when I’d been balanced on his shoulders in the pool. “I’m fine,” I lied. “But thanks.”
10
NAOMI
It didn’t help my mood much that the search for alternate housing went horribly that night. It also didn’t help that I could sometimes hear faint voices from the pool area.
The guys sounded like they were having fun.
Hopefully they were also studying. Then at least they had a chance of making their dreams come true.
And as for mine? My dreams didn’t appear to be happening anytime soon.
It was just so frustrating. All I wanted was a little independence. To not be staying at Frank’s place. And it would be nice if my career were a little steadier. Yeah, I was earning good money this week, and I did so at the wedding, too. But if you took Evelyn out of the equation, my income for this year looked pretty bleak.
I rolled over on the impossibly comfortable bed. I liked to look up at the canopy above me—it made me feel like a princess.
Nothing else about my life did.
I sighed. Maybe I should sign on with a massage chain when I got back home. The money wasn’t much better, but at least it was a little more reliable. And I wouldn’t have to lug my massage table all over the city.
With a sigh, I got up and paced the room. I would’ve liked to go out on the balcony and listen to the surf, but this time of the night, mosquitos would eat me alive, and I didn’t feel like dealing with bug spray right now.