Ready or Not (The Love Game Book 4)

by Elizabeth Hayley

  I arrived at a door with a placard beside it that read Safe Haven. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open and immediately met the shrewd gaze of an older woman sitting behind a desk.

  “Can I help you?” she asked, her tone somewhat accusing, as if I’d just barged into her bedroom.

  “Yes, my name is Taylor Peterson. I have an interview with Mr. Gillette.”

  “Have a seat. I’ll tell him you’re here.”

  I turned toward the smattering of plastic chairs pushed up against the cream-colored wall, and then jumped a mile in the air when the woman shouted behind me.

  “Harry! Interview’s here.”

  That was certainly one way to let him know.

  “Be right there, Edith,” a voice shouted back.

  What the hell was this place? Even a walkie-talkie would’ve been better than shouting between rooms. But paupers couldn’t be choosers, so I slid onto a seat and gave Edith a small smile that she did not seem the least bit tempted to return.

  A few minutes later, a harried-looking man hurried into the room. He looked to be in his late thirties, though his receding hairline perhaps aged him a little. But he had kind eyes and a wide smile, and when he approached me with a hand extended, I didn’t hesitate to stand and grasp it.

  “Taylor?” At my nod, he continued. “Harry Gillette. Not related to the razors, unfortunately. Come on back and we’ll get started.”

  Edith tracked my movements, and when I passed her desk, she said, “Harry, you want me to call your husband and kids to let them know you’ll be a little late today?”

  Harry stopped short and looked at his watch before glancing up at Edith curiously. “It’s only three. I don’t think the interview will take two hours.”

  She looked at me primly when she replied. “Just checking.”

  I briefly wondered if I should be offended that Edith had pegged me as a home-wrecker after spending less than five minutes in my company, but it was honestly too amusing to be angry.

  Poor Harry looked baffled but seemed to shake the curiosity. “Shall we?” he asked before heading into his office.

  “Message received, Edith,” I whispered before following.

  Harry’s office was small and cramped, made to feel even smaller by the fact it was covered in artwork that all seemed to be done by kids. His desk held frames facing away from me, but I had no doubt they held pictures of his family. He also had a PC that might have been built before I was born and two filing cabinets that both had drawers open. All in all, it was an endearing space that spoke of a hardworking man who was loved by many.

  He gestured to a chair across from him, and I sat. He shuffled a few papers around on his desk before looking up at me.

  “Don’t mind, Edith,” he said. “She’s convinced every woman under fifty has her sights set on me. It’s flattering, if not completely delusional. Not to mention”—he turned a picture around so I could see him and another man surrounded by four children—“I’m gay. But she enjoys looking after all of us, so I let her get her warnings in.”

  So not as oblivious as he pretended to be. That was a good sign. And I couldn’t deny, knowing he humored the elderly woman made me warm to him even more.

  “Okay,” he continued. “Down to business. I have your résumé and already called your references—all glowing, by the way—and Ransom’s told me great things, so I figured I’d tell you about the place, show you around, and you could tell me if you were interested. Sound good?”

  I refused to let my mind dwell on the fact that Ransom had sung my praises to his boss. I’d already spent more time thinking about the man over the past few days than I was comfortable with.

  “Sounds wonderful.”

  “All the elementary schools in the area have their own extended-day programs run by the city, so we don’t get any young kids here. Safe Haven’s target demographic is middle school kids who don’t have anywhere safe to hang out after school. Either their parents are still working, their neighborhood isn’t conducive to safe play, or…their home isn’t a place they want to be. We occasionally also get some younger high school kids who come around, but not many. Most of them get involved in one of the specialty programs the center offers: tutoring, intramurals, things like that.”

  “I saw some of the programs the center offers. It seems like a wonderful place.”

  “It is. It’s helped a lot of people in the community since it opened fifteen years ago. Now, I know you worked at a program for older kids this summer. Any problems with working with slightly younger kids?”

  “None at all.”

  “Perfect. In a few minutes, I’ll show you around so you can get a better idea of how things run, but just to give you an idea of your schedule, kids enter Safe Haven through the back of the building so they don’t have to traipse through the entire center. Some get dropped off by a bus or van, and some walk, depending on where they’re coming from. They start rolling in about three fifteen, so we like staff to arrive at two thirty to set up whatever activities we have planned for the day. The program ends at five, but we offer an extended service for parents who work late. The families who qualify for that have until seven to collect their kids. Those kids head to the gym for those two hours so the janitorial staff can clean and sanitize our space, but it’s our employees who accompany them. If you want the extra hours, they’re yours.”

  “Yes, I’d be open to that.” A thought popped into my mind and left my mouth before I could censor it. “Does Ransom work the extended hours?”

  Ugh, stop thinking with your figurative dick, Taylor.

  Harry smiled fondly. “Technically, no. But last year he almost always stayed until the last child was picked up anyway. Wouldn’t let me pay him for the time, though. He’s…something else. The kids and staff adore him.”

  Awesome. Like Ransom needed more ways to be attractive.

  “So the pay isn’t great, but with your qualifications and experience, I can bring you on at twelve dollars an hour. We pay you for an extra half hour for cleanup, which would give you five hours a day. So you can think about it while I show you around and then let me know if that could work for you.”

  “Perfect.”

  After a bit more talking, Harry showed me around Safe Haven. The bulk of the space reminded me of a cafeteria. It was a large room with a couple of smaller areas that had partial privacy due to a low wall. That had probably once been the kitchen, and they’d turned it into spots where small groups of kids could complete activities away from the chaos that likely took place in the main space.

  Harry took me out a back door and showed me where the kids would arrive. There was also a large blacktopped area with basketball nets. It was also where the summer camp was.

  My eyes instinctively roved over the crowd in search of a blond-haired Adonis. I found him in the middle of a large group of kids. He seemed to be telling them a story that had them all laughing hysterically.

  “I know it looks a little disorganized, but it’s nearing the end of the day, so the kids get free choice of what they do. Within reason,” he tacked on with a smile.

  I smiled at him to show I understood and then refocused on where Ransom had been. But this time, he was looking back, a smile splitting his handsome face.

  He said something to the kids and then started in our direction. I noticed quite a few of the girls watch Ransom walk toward us—and a few of the boys too. Not that I blamed them. The tight white T-shirt he wore clung to every muscle the guy had. Honestly, it was borderline obscene. Though he was so big and broad, there probably wasn’t much he could do about it. He’d probably have to actively try to not look like a bodybuilder-meet-GQ model.

  When he arrived in front of us, he looked like an excited puppy. “Hey. How’s everything going?” His gaze moved back and forth between us.

  “Going great on my end,” Harry answered before looking pointedly at me.

  I smiled. “Great for me too.”

  Harry extended his hand. �
��Does that mean we have a new employee?”

  I hesitated, thinking about how even with the extra money I’d need a second job, but odds were I’d need one regardless. And at least this job would leave my nights and weekends free.

  There was also something about the place, and I wanted to be part of it. So I took Harry’s hand and gave it a firm shake. “Yes, that’s what it means.”

  “Excellent. Why don’t you hang out with Ransom for a bit while I get the employment paperwork together, and then you can come back to my office in…let’s say ten minutes?”

  “Works for me,” I replied.

  Harry nodded and slapped Ransom on the back before retreating toward the way we’d come.

  When he was gone, Ransom said, “So, you like the place?”

  “I do. It’s…pretty great.”

  Ransom’s smile widened. “It is, isn’t it?” He seemed so proud and pleased that I liked it that I couldn’t help but return his smile. “And I can’t wait to be everyone’s favorite,” he added, rubbing his hands together maniacally.

  I hit him playfully in the chest before I could think better of it. “Jerk. And from the looks of things, you’re already everyone’s favorite.”

  He moved next to me so he could survey the campers like a king observing his kingdom. “Yeah, I’m pretty much a god here,” he deadpanned.

  I instantly remembered my Thor comparison a couple of weeks ago but kept it to myself. Instead, I rolled my eyes and groaned. “So humble.”

  He opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted with a kid brushing past him with an armful of water guns.

  “Whoa, whoa, where are you going with those?”

  The boy shrugged. “It’s hot.”

  “So? You making decisions now? I didn’t know you worked here.” Ransom said the words with outrage that was clearly for show, and by the look on the kid’s face, he knew it.

  The kid put on a pout that could’ve won him an Emmy.

  Ransom pointed at him. “Save that look for someone it works on, DeSean.”

  The boy dropped the dramatic visage and resorted to more overt pleading. “Come on, Ransom. Please. It’s almost time to go home.”

  “Yeah, and I’m sure your dad will be thrilled to have you sit in his car soaking wet.”

  “He won’t care. Please,” DeSean said, dragging out the word.

  He was cute and likely knew it. Around ten if I had to guess, he still had an innocence about his face that contrasted with the preteen mischievousness in his eyes. It was a deadly combo, and I became worried that I’d never be able to say no to these kids.

  Ransom put his hands on his hips and leaned down over the boy. “On one condition.”

  The kid bounced on his toes. “Anything.”

  Ransom reached out and carefully dislodged a water gun from the pile in DeSean’s arms. “I get the biggest one.”

  “Deal,” DeSean squealed before taking off. “Hey, guys, Ransom’s playing!” he yelled across the yard.

  We watched him run for the spigot that was against a wall and begin filling the guns for a moment before I said, “Guess I’ll leave you to it, then.”

  Ransom slung the water gun over his shoulder like some kind of Storm Trooper. “Yeah, I gotta teach a few lessons around here.” His eyes sparkled. “You can stick around and play if you want.”

  I glanced down at the white button-down tank I’d worn to the interview and then back to him meaningfully. “Think I’ll pass.”

  Ransom flushed adorably. “Oh, yeah, no, I get it. Water, white, yeah, maybe…maybe next time.” He looked down at himself. “Crap.”

  I laughed. “It’s probably more acceptable for a guy.”

  “True. Though I have big nipples for a dude, so it still—” He stopped abruptly as if his words had just registered with his brain.

  I bit my lip to keep from barking out a laugh.

  “Can you forget you heard that?”

  “Not on your life.”

  He breathed a heavy sigh. “Figures,” he mumbled. “See you around?”

  “Looks that way.”

  He gave me a nod before turning toward the crowd of kids waiting for him with water guns at the ready. “I hope you guys are ready, because you’re all going down.”

  I watched for a second, my heart beating a little harder at the sight of this big man playing with a bunch of children who obviously adored him. Forcing myself to turn away, I steeled myself and walked back toward Harry’s office.

  One thing was for sure—if I were going to make it at this job and keep my sanity, I was going to have to stay away from Ransom Holt.

  Chapter Six

  R A N S O M

  “I’m not sure if I like this place or if I should check myself for ticks when I leave,” Carter said.

  I looked around at the jungle-like décor—some of which I was pretty sure was from an actual jungle: vines, leaves, and even a tree that seemed to grow through the center of the floor. And there was a spiral staircase that led to something above, like a real tree house. Other than the wooden barstools and a few booths, most of the chairs were beanbags. And the place was adorned with fairy lights.

  Brody nodded happily as he took it all in. “Maybe both,” he said, sounding unusually excited about having to check himself for parasites later. “I can’t believe I never knew this was here.”

  “Brings back memories,” Sophia said, causing Drew to raise an eyebrow.

  “Really?” he asked. “You have memories from that night?”

  Sophia nudged Drew with her hip playfully. “Well, bits and pieces maybe.”

  “So what’s the story there?” I asked. “Anyone planning on telling it?” I’d heard the night referenced more than once by the group, but no one ever elaborated.

  “Nope,” Sophia said. “No real story. Taylor and I just had a rough night, and Drew had to come pick us up from here.”

  “Um, I think I was the one who had the rough night,” Drew said, laughing. “Taking care of the two of you was like babysitting newborn twins overnight.”

  “Every time he talks about this, the experience gets exponentially worse,” she told me. “My fiancé likes to exaggerate just a tad.”

  “Definitely not exaggerating,” said Drew as we approached the host station.

  There was a little bit of a wait to get a seat, and that, combined with the crowd at the bar, told me this place was popular. I was happy for Taylor that she’d hopefully make out well in tips but also nervous she was in over her head. Not that I knew what her limitations were.

  Sophia had mentioned Taylor was new to waiting tables, and since she’d only worked one other day during the lunch shift, I was concerned she might feel overwhelmed tonight. And it probably didn’t help that we were all coming to see her.

  I turned around when we got to the stand so that I could count all of us and then gave the hostess my name.

  “Did you say Random?” she called over the din of voices. She had short, dark choppy hair with purple tips and nails so long it made me wonder how she could even click the iPad.

  “No, Ransom. With an S,” I clarified.

  “Oh okay, that makes so much more sense.”

  I had a feeling she was being sarcastic, but I couldn’t be sure and didn’t plan on investigating it further. “Could we be seated in Taylor’s section if possible? We don’t mind waiting.”

  “Who?”

  “Taylor Peterson. She’s new. She’s about this tall,” I said, holding up a hand below my shoulder. “Early twenties, long blond hair, pretty smile…”

  The girl flicked her tongue ring against her teeth impatiently before looking up from the iPad. “You just described like every college girl who’s ever gotten a job here.”

  “Well, except you,” I joked, though she clearly didn’t think it was funny. I hadn’t seen her crack a smile since we’d arrived. “Sorry. Isn’t there like a name listed for who’s in what section or whatever? We just wanted to surprise her and show our support
since it’s a new job.”

  She was quiet for a moment, but I wasn’t giving up that easily.

  Not knowing what else to say, I muttered, “Please. It would mean a lot.”

  She rolled her eyes but said, “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Thank you!”

  She took down my number so she could text when the table was ready, and then asked us to stand off to the side or have a drink at the bar while we waited.

  Since I was the tallest, I took it upon myself to squeeze into a spot at the bar so I could grab the bartender’s attention. I ordered all of us beers to make it easy for him and handed them out to everyone. “First round’s on me since I can’t stay the whole night.”

  “Thanks,” Aniyah said, taking her beer from me. “Where you off to? Anywhere good?”

  “Not sure. I’ve never been to the place. Just meeting some people at a bar downtown. I don’t need to be there until nine or so, though.”

  “Is it a surprise party or something?” Xander asked. When I didn’t answer right away, he added, “Because they said you have to be there at a certain time. Or do your other friends just keep you on a really short leash?”

  I knew he was kidding, but I also knew the whole thing probably did seem strange. “Just some people I haven’t seen in a while, so I want to make sure I get there close to when they do.”

  That sounds plausible.

  I caught a glimpse of Brody, who was bringing his glass to his mouth and wiggling his eyebrows at me. After he took a sip, he pressed his lips together as if to say my secret was safe with him. I was glad Aamee had already gone back home to her new job because she definitely would’ve picked up on Brody’s reaction and asked about it later. Or now.

  With our drinks in hand, we moved back from the bar a bit to allow some other people to order, and I was thankful when Drew spotted some pictures on the wall of celebrities who’d been customers. How Paris Hilton knew this place existed when I didn’t was a question I’d probably never know the answer to.