Break My Fall by Chloe Walsh Read Free Book Online Page B

holding my breath, waiting for her answer.
    “Really, why not? It’s Friday, you should be going out and having some fun. I can’t believe a guy hasn’t asked out yet?”
    I was going to kick his ass, and enjoy doing it.
    Lee blushed and poured some milk into a glass.
    “Well you should,” she said quietly, “No one has.”
    “I could hook you up with on my friends. They all think you’re hot, especially Dixon.”
    Lee spluttered her coffee, as she looked at me briefly before focusing on Derek,
    “I’m not sure,” she replied quietly.
    He was baiting me out; it was working.
    “Ow dude what the hell?” Derek cried, pushing back his chair.
    “Oh sorry man, did I step on your foot?”
    I stood up and walked over to where Lee was standing.
    I purposefully leaned too close to her to get a cup from the cupboard.
    She shivered when my chest rubbed against hers, and my ego swelled.
    Yeah fuck Dixon, she was aware of me.
    “Do you want to go out with Dixon princess?”
    I stared straight at her, and she shook her head eagerly.
    “Hear that Derek? She doesn’t want to date any of your asshole friends. Leave her alone.”
    I had to leave then; getting too close to her was dangerous.
     

 
     
     
    LEE
     
    I made my way down the stairway at the back of the hotel.
    It eventually led to a private doorway outside.
    It was a much longer route than taking the elevator and cutting through the restaurant, but it was much safer than potentially facing Rachel in the restaurant, or Kyle.
    Work was going well.
    Linda gave me as many shifts as I wanted, and Mike was the just the sweetest person.
    I was looking forward to my lunch hour so I could listen to him regale me with all the gossip on the ground floor.
    “Hey, you made it.”
    Mike smiled at me from the picnic bench where he was sitting.
    “Hey, sorry I’m late.”
    I sat on the opposite side of the bench. Mike proceeded to hand me a plastic covered sandwich and a soda.
    “It’s just cold cuts of beef today I’m afraid. We’re all out of tuna.”
    I smiled gratefully, “Thanks Mike, beef is great.”
    He grinned, nodding, “Oh good, I wasn’t sure if you were one of those vegetarian girls. You always have fish in you sandwiches.”
    I snorted, “You’re the one who makes my sandwiches remember? I’m not fussy about my food. But truth be told I’m a red meat kind of girl.”
    We slipped into easy conversation, and I actually snorted soda from my nose when Mike told me about the last big drama at the hotel.
    “No way? Are you for real?” I asked, through laughs as I patted my napkin to my face.
    “True story, Mindy was in housekeeping, and I guess you could say she got a little too up close and personal cleaning his uh, family jewels.”
    I gasped. “Isn’t he the guy in Washington? A senator of something?”
    Mike chuckled, “Not anymore. Their affair was leaked to the media. You wouldn’t believe the amount of journalists and pap’s around here at the time. It was huge news; a public figure having it off with the underage housekeeper. The boss was furious.”
    He paused, frowning, “I’m actually surprised he hired you. After the drama with Mindy, he doesn’t hire young girls. There was too much of a backlash for the hotel from the media, not to mention Mindy’s parents.”
    I took another swig of my soda, while I thought about what Mike said.
    I guessed that what Derek had been suggesting a few weeks back when he asked me where I worked.
    “What’s he like? Our boss I mean. Have you met him?”
    A vein twitched in the Mike’s neck.
    He seemed to ponder my question.
    “Yeah I’ve met him,” he said flatly.
    When he noticed my worried look, he smiled.
    “When he’s here, he’s a good boss. He’s usually jetting off around the country to the other hotels. Most of the staff seem to like him, though Linda is the one who really runs this place. ”
    I could hear the undertone in his words. “Most of the staff?”
    “You don’t miss much,