He laughed. “Did you say that because of the name? Blue Lake?”
“Oh no. Just a figure of speech, Mr Bailey. You are the man who recruits and sacks?”
“I am not keen on sacking,” he said hastily. “What kind of job fits your dreams?”
‘My dreams are too big for any job,” Tina laughed. “But if you would be so kind, I really would love to do some statistical analysis in your firm.”
He laughed. “Ambitious, aren’t we? I’d call it data entry, based on your qualifications. The job you are speaking of calls for a candidate with much higher qualifications than you do, at least as far as the company policy goes. But we need people under these learned sorts, where you could fit in.”
Tina stopped eating, staring intently at Mr. Bailey. “Are you offering me a job?”
“You can say that. Let’s just say that it has taken me just minutes to like you.”
“When do I start working? I should thank you first of all,” she laughed, hoping she wouldn’t suddenly wake up and find out that she had been dreaming after all.
He laughed again. “Whoa, girl. Not so fast. There is always a price tag.”
Tina exhaled audibly. “I should have known. What’s the catch?”
He frowned for a long time, then extracted three hundred dollar bills from the midst of his coat. He offered them to her.
She drew back with a look of immense surprise.
“Hey - scared?” He seemed surprised.
“What’s the money for?” She stared at him with genuine puzzlement.
“Lady, I will give you some advice. You take it first, then ask questions.”
“I don’t like money I haven’t worked for, or from strangers for that matter. Why would you offer me money?”
Mr Bailey looked vaguely annoyed. “I don’t like being let down when I deserve appreciation.”
“Appreciation?” Tina frowned.
Mr. Bailey pocketed his money vigorously. He spoke rather harshly now. “Are you acting stupid? You look like a bright girl to me. Let me try to explain this obvious thing to you: in exchange for your friendship and intimacy if possible, easy money will find its way to you - even an easy job. Think twice.”
Tina turned her attention back to her food.
“I see you are thinking again.”
“No. I am not the kind of girl you seem to think I am.”
Mr Bailey’s eyes turned hard. “Do you realize that you turned down not only three hundred bucks but a job as well?”
“Oh, I lost the job too?” Tina shook her head. “You had me fooled. You are not the man you appear to be.”
“Waitress!” The man barked, searching for the light-footed attendant, who came swirling by with a reproachful look.
“Do you have to yell like that?” she demanded as some diners gave Mr. Bailey an unhealthy look. Yelling diners were less than popular.
“Sorry,” he said. “Could you transfer this lady to another table?” he inquired, to Tina’s (and the waitress’) shock.
“What!?” Both ladies exclaimed.
“Yes! I insist I will not share a table with this woman!”
“There is a solution to that,” Tina said, trying her best to keep smiling. “Since you found me here, why don’t you just leave me alone and find someplace else?”
Lee the ever-serious waiter appeared. He addressed Bailey. “Sir, we do not allow customers to harrass fellow customers. I’m afraid we may have to ask you to leave.”
Bailey stood up and came toe to toe with Lee, and Lee proved to be five inches shorter and twenty-two punds lighter. “Who the hell do you think you are? Do you know who I am?”
Lee had stepped back. “Sir, I will have the manager send you away.”
Bailye snorted and threw a ten-dollar bill at Mary’s feet. Then he spun on his heels and stormed out.
It hadn’t turned into a date but at least it was a memorable experience outside her home and she had learned a thing or two.
Tina smiled into her pillow. Maybe her Dad would stop treating her like a prisoner now that he knew whatever he was trying so hard to protect could be reached right here at home! She loved her Dad, but she thought his rules were extreme, and she was a helpless prisoner.
END OF BOOK 1
Dear reader,
You may wonder what happens between Con, Trevor and Lavida, and what Tina’s father does about what happened. And if Tina and Clay get back together and can they evade her father’s spying ways? And what new threat awaits Tina’s entire family? That’s why we have book 2! These are short reads and book 2 could not fit in book 1 . Cheers. Thank you for your time. If you think this was complicated, hold on...this was just the beginning!
Romantically Complicated Series – Book 2
J W Hunter