Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
“I’m still unemployed, I’m afraid. But I’ve got a few applications in at some retail stores downtown. I hope to get a callback soon.”
“Well then. I have a temporary position that came open yesterday at the office, and I thought you might be perfect for it.”
Edison had barely finished his sentence before Rayne was nodding and agreeing. He didn’t care if the job was mopping floors or restocking the vending machines in the breakroom. He’d do whatever was required as long as he could stop selling his jewelry and clothes to pay his rent. “Sure. Yes. What’s the position?”
Edison clapped his hands together once, his smile growing brighter. “Front desk reception. Answering a very busy switchboard, running office errands, and maybe some light filing.”
Rayne wanted to jump into Edison’s arms, but instead, he gripped his hand in a strong shake while clutching the business card in his other. “I wish you knew how much of a godsend you are, Edison.”
Edison gave him a classic aww shucks expression, waving him off with a shy grin. “I’m no guardian angel. Not saying you don’t have one of your own.”
Rayne didn’t know what that meant, but he did feel as if his luck was beginning to change. “I can start right now if you want.” Rayne pointed behind him. “I can change and be dressed in business casual in twenty minutes.”
“No, that’s not necessary.” Edison gestured at Rayne’s Hugo Boss tracksuit. “You go and enjoy your new class.”
Yoga is not a priority! Wages are! Rayne didn’t want the job to go to somebody else.
Edison must’ve read the panic on his face because he put both hands up as if he could physically hold back Rayne’s worry. “I’ll need to notify HR today and get you set up with an orientation date to complete your paperwork.”
“So, I don’t need to interview or…”
“Nope.” Edison shook his head. “I had a great conversation with you the other week over dinner. We talked about your weaknesses, your strengths, goals, and hobbies. I know you’re disciplined, smart, ambitious, and you have a very pleasant demeanor that we like for people to see when they come into the office.”
Rayne laughed. That worked for him because he was beyond tired of the countless interviews.
“See?” Edison pointed. “And you have a great laugh too.”
“I don’t know how on Earth to thank you.”
“No thanks needed. Just show up on time Monday morning at nine o’clock sharp.” Edison checked his expensive timepiece, then made a quick beeline toward the door. “I better get going so that I don’t hit traffic.”
“Oh, don’t worry, I’ll be there,” Rayne promised as he walked Edison outside and locked up behind him. He was so elated he turned down Edison’s offer to drive him to the gym and decided to walk since he felt like he was floating on air.
Chapter Eighteen
Mike
“Big Mike. I think a few of the guys are over there plotting your death, and Manny, I’m pretty sure James poured sugar down your gas tank.”
Mike and Manny didn’t bother to glance up from the landscape blueprints they were reworking to give their crew leader, Jason, the time of day.
“I get we don’t have old man Reynolds’ property anymore on Fridays, but did you really have to replace it with this place?” Jason complained, pointing toward the fitness center, making Mike grit his teeth. His crew knew how much he hated whining.
“Jase, get your ass back over there and do what you’re paid to do,” Manny rumbled.
Mike heard Jason curse, then slap his sun hat against his thigh. “Damnit. We’ve been on overtime for three weeks already. Now we got all these gym properties to do on top of—”
“Jason, it’s funny we didn’t hear all of this bitching when you guys got those bonuses last week,” Manny retorted.
“But—”
“But shut the fuck up!” Mike slammed his fist down on the hood of his truck. He abandoned his work to face off with Jason, his legs eating up the ground. He continued his advance, his fists clenched as Jason began to retract his steps.
“I’ll get back to work now.”
“You do that,” Mike growled. “And the next time you think of interrupting my work to complain about yours, you’ll be bitching from the unemployment line.”
Jason didn’t say anything else as he slinked back toward the rest of the guys.
“And the next time you assholes send a union rep to fuss on your behalf, pick one with some balls,” Manny yelled across the lawn to the other eleven men who were trying not to make eye contact.
“Come on, Mike. Let’s finish this.” Manny waved them off. “You know it always takes a few weeks for them to get used to the summer schedule.”
“I’m not in the mood for their shit or for them to be dragging their asses on this job.” Mike turned to go back to what he and Manny had been doing when he saw Rayne walking up the sidewalk. He blinked a few times to be sure his mind wasn’t playing tricks on him.