3 years ago
I've never been a morning person—and today was no exception. I was so exhausted I seriously considered crawling back under my warm, protective blanket and not coming out for a week.
Pull yourself together, Ashley, my subconscious muttered from a dusty armchair somewhere in the back of my mind.
"I can't be late on my first day," I yawned. After a long stretch, I dragged myself through my morning routine: making and eating breakfast—toast with strawberry jam and freshly squeezed orange juice—brushing my teeth, washing my face, picking out something appropriate for a receptionist job, getting dressed, then doing my makeup.
I gave myself an approving once-over in the full-length mirror: white blouse, knee-length brown skirt with black-and-white stripes, natural makeup topped off with a subtle cat-eye.
By the front door, I slipped into my black heels, grabbed my bag and keys, and stepped outside.
⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚
The city was being devoured by heat. The air was beyond humid, the asphalt practically melting beneath our feet. People wandered the streets fanning themselves or holding tiny phone-powered fans, sweat pouring off everyone—including me.
Los Angeles had always been warm, sure—but not like this. You could've cooked a full meal on the pavement without exaggerating.
The Heartbreak Hotel wasn't far from my apartment but I was drenched by the time I arrived. It didn't help that the bus's AC had died, and thanks to the insane traffic, opening the windows did absolutely nothing. The air inside the vehicle didn't move an inch. I could still smell the sweat long after I got off and walked the remaining six blocks to the building.
I was halfway across one of those streets when a damn car nearly ran me over as I stepped onto the crosswalk.
The driver laid on the horn and started waving his arms out the window like I'd committed some kind of crime. Which made zero sense considering I had the right of way—he was the one turning.
In response, I raised my middle finger and crossed the street as slowly as humanly possible.
"Move it, princess!" he shouted through the half-open window, clearly trying to hurry me along. Not that I cared. And the nickname? Didn't impress me either.
"Jerk!" I shot back once I reached the other side.
One second I could've sworn I heard him laugh. The next, he was gone.
⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚
Walking into the multi-story red-brick building felt like stepping into a cold shower. As I crossed the air-conditioned lobby toward the reception desk, my body practically sighed in gratitude.
"Welcome to The Heartbreak Hotel!" the girl behind the counter beamed at me. She looked about my age. Her name tag read "Melissa Carter." Honey-blonde hair twisted into a loose bun, fire-engine red nails sharp enough to take someone's eye out. "How can I help you?" she blinked at me with huge green eyes framed by long lashes.
"Hi, I'm Ashley Hale," I smiled back.
Her face literally lit up when she heard my name.
"Melissa," she introduced herself, extending her hand. Her voice instantly turned warmer and more excited. She hurried out from behind the desk, grabbed my forearm, and practically dragged me toward a door labeled Staff Only. "You and I are going to be best friends!"
What have I gotten myself into?
⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚
"...And this is where you'll find the room keys," Melissa said, pointing to a wooden-framed glass cabinet behind the desk where more than ten keys were hanging.
She'd been giving me a full-on presentation for the past thirty minutes about how everything worked, but if I was being honest, I hadn't retained much. Most of it felt unnecessary.
"Capisce?" she finished.
"Capisce."
"Great! Then let's get to work!" She clapped her hands together and dropped a stack of folders onto the grayish-white marble counter.
During that half hour, I'd learned that the hotel was run by none other than Melissa and her husband, Jay. Jay worked as the bellhop and maintenance guy, while Melissa handled the paperwork—and doubled as housekeeping. They'd been looking for help—apparently there was another applicant too—because the summer season had them completely booked. According to them, they couldn't manage it alone.
And this job had come at the perfect time for me.
"Finally, you're here!" Melissa's cheerful voice interrupted my thoughts. She jumped up from the chair next to me and hurried toward the front desk. "I was starting to think you'd chicken out on your first day!" she laughed before throwing her arms around a guy who had just walked in.
"I would've come earlier, but the heat's causing insane traffic," the guy explained. His voice was velvet-smooth, sending an annoyingly pleasant shiver down my spine. "I almost ran someone over because—" He cut himself off when Melissa stepped aside and he finally saw me.
The second our eyes met, my jaw practically hit the floor.
It was him.
The guy who almost ran me over.
Seriously—what are the odds?
"Hello again, princess," he nodded at me, pale pink lips curling into a smug smile.
"Nice to see you too, jerk," I shot back, though my expression softened when he winked at me. Against my will, I felt heat rush to my cheeks.
I couldn't help it. This guy was basically a demigod. It almost hurt to look at him.
Messy brown hair with a few rebellious strands falling into his eyes. Blue irises practically glowing in the sunlight streaming through the window. Muscles stretching against his gray T-shirt. Fitted light-wash jeans. Converse. Dimples on both sides of his face.
I had to admit—it was criminal how good he looked.
"Do you two know each other?" Melissa gestured between me and my almost-murderer.
"I could ask the same," I muttered, scratching the back of my neck awkwardly.
"Oh my God, I'm so stupid," Melissa laughed. "Ashley, this is Lucas. Lucas, Ashley."
"Lucas Johnson. Jay's best friend. You know—the other owner," the jerk said proudly, puffing out his chest. I would've loved to wipe that self-satisfied smirk off his face, but who was I to get myself fired on my first day?
"Ashley Hale. The girl you almost ran over," I replied, extending my hand. He graciously accepted it.
Before we could say anything else, Jay appeared behind Lucas and wrapped him in a hug from behind. Lucas spun around and, in one fluid motion, jumped into Jay's arms. All four of us burst out laughing.
I think applying for this job might've been a really good idea.
Even if it means putting up with this unbelievably sexy jerk every single day.
Nincsenek megjegyzések:
Megjegyzés küldése