It’s never that easy

Chapter Two

Before I knew it, my alarm was going off. But to my surprise Gemma was already up. She was already in the shower. It had been ten minutes and she was still in there.

“Gemma hurry up. I need to wash my hair before we go.”

“Coming.”

She walked out of the bathroom. Looking absolutely stunning with her hair curled and makeup on. I got in the shower and I was ready within an hour. Hair in a messy bun, makeup on and dressed in my shorts seeing as it was nice outside. When suddenly we heard a car horn outside.

“Jamie’s here!”

We both rushed outside, excited to be getting away for a bit, even if it is to ‘team bond’. We got onto the bus and everyone was already on it. We said our hellos and took our seats at the back where Jamie was sat. we smiled at each other then he went back to his phone.

“So, Nathan. Are you going to cope a whole week without Zoe?”

“I’m sure I will.”

We all laughed, knowing all too well that he would be calling her up every night if not more. We all did our own thing on the way there. Steph decided to binge watch some reality TV show, Nathan and Jamie were both talking to each other and texting at the same time, as for Gemma and me, we listened to my music and she nodded off.

Two hours passed when we finally arrived at the resort. It looks absolutely stunning. I was only expecting a hotel. It was on the beachfront with beautiful, tall palm trees outstretched along the golden sands.

“This is where we’re staying? It’s gorgeous.”

“This is incredible. We need to do more retreats if we’re coming to this every time.”

We all started talking excitedly as we all walked towards the reception area. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It is breath-taking. High rise ceilings with chandeliers dangling down. Jamie went up to the front desk to find out what we needed to do. When he came back he explained that we all had a villa for each of the shops that were coming in. We got appointed the Sunrise Suit. The only problem with that suit was there were only three bedrooms. So, Nathan went with Jamie, I went with Gemma and Steph had a room all to herself.

“Oh my god. This is amazing. This space is massive. Our own living room and kitchen. Our own swimming pool. Look at it!”

We all rushed outside to have a look at the pool. It overlooked the beach and we also had a jacuzzi sitting in the corner of the yard. The view was just phenomenal. You could see the whole island from our pool.

“Oh my god. Jamie this is amazing. I’m surprised the high and mighty have given us this chance in this place. It is stunning. I’d definitely come back here.”

“I’m glad you like it. They asked all the managers where they would like to go out of two choices and I thought you guys would love this place. The other one was a countryside manor. As soon as I saw that one I knew you guys would hate it compared to this. To be fair the bosses were able to get a great deal on it with there being so many of us.”

“Wow that is generous. I thought they were all stuck up businessmen. I didn’t think they would do this especially when there are twenty-five of us all together.”

“Well they only needed five villas for the shops and two rooms in the actual hotel for themselves. They’ve got a great deal for food, activities for us all to do and the rooms if we need them for anything. They’ll tell you more later on tonight at dinner time. We have to meet at the main hall for six. Don’t be late,” he said looking at Gemma.

“Why did you look at me when you said that?”

“Because you are the worse at keeping time when we go on a night out, so I can’t see any change just because we are here.”

“Well...that’s changing because when I’m in a place like this. I have no time to waste in bed,” she declared with a massive grin on her face.

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “Sorry Gemma but you love your bed too much. Even if we are on holiday. When we went to Spain last year you spent most of your days either in bed asleep or asleep on the sun loungers.”

“Hey! I couldn’t help that. It was all your fault.”

“How was it all my fault?”

“You’re the one who kept necking down drinks, so I had to follow suit.”

“Not my fault you can’t handle your drinks like I can.”

“You weren’t always good with your drinks. One night you ended up dancing on the bar with a stranger. Necking on with him all night. I had to force you out of the club and get you home.”

“Really? You never told me that one. No wonder I got looks when we went back the night after.”

“See I can handle myself. It’s you who can’t.”

“Well, I will handle my drinks while we’re here. Can’t embarrass you lot, can I?” I said blushing.

We all went to settle in our rooms before we had to go down to dinner. I finished in record time with half an hour spare. I only put on a pair of denim shorts and a white strap top. It’s too hot for anything else. I decided to sit on the balcony that overlooked the pool from our bedroom. When I walked outside I noticed Jamie sat on his balcony, reading some papers. I just went and sat on one of the chairs and ignored him as he seemed engaged in the papers.

“Am I that bad that you have to ignore me?”

“Uh...I didn’t want to disturb you. You seem very into that piece of paper.”

“Ah, it’s nothing. Just our itinerary for this week.”

“Ooo...let me see!”

“Nope you are all going to have to wait. We want to leave you all in suspense.”

“That’s not fair. At least tell me some good activities we’ll be doing.”

“Well, I can say that we may not be on the same team on every activity. They want us to split up on some to see if we can work with others if any of should have to move shops. We are also going to be doing a treasure hunt to try and beat other teams to show that we can all work as a team. But the main event…beach volleyball,” he said winking at me.

“Uh...men!” I declared rolling my eyes.

“So, what do you think of the place?”

“It’s beautiful. I can’t believe they’ve let us use this place. Are they mad? Especially when we’re all together. You know how we get like.”

“Yeah too true. But I know that you guys won’t let me down.”

“That we won’t. We all love you too much. Can’t embarrass you in front of the bosses, but we can’t say we won’t in front of the other employees though,” I said winking at him.

We both started laughing hard when Gemma walked out.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.”

“Spit it out!”

“You would have had to be here for it.”

“Fine. It’s time for us to go anyway.”

“Okay. Meet you on the other side.”

“Yeah.”

We all walked out into the living room waiting for Steph to make an appearance. Gemma got bored of waiting and went to fetch her while I talked with the boys. They finally came with Gemma having to tell Steph off that she wasn’t ready. We went down to the dining hall to meet everyone. We were the last ones to turn up, typical us.

“Right, now we are all here, we can begin. You’re all here this week to help us make our shops better. We want your contribution on what we can do to make it better for you and for our customers. We are aiming to open another ten shops around the country with your help. Therefore, we have brought you here. We want to get to know all of you and how you all work as a team to get things done. So please enjoy your meals and we can get things started once you have eaten.”

Everyone started clapping so I thought I best clap too, be rude not to. Dinner wasn’t that special. It was only a buffet. I didn’t eat that much, I wasn’t hungry. The boys of course took in as much as they could. It was nice to have us all together. It shows how much of a team we are by the way we act together, laughing and mocking each other. Let’s hope it stays like that after this week. While I was in my thoughts Mr. Daniels cleared his throat for our attention.

“Can I have your attention please? For some of this week's activities you will be split into five teams. There is a notice board to my right with your teams. Every morning you will get your schedule for the day and it will state whether you are in your own teams or the one we have put you in. please come up and get acquainted with your new team members and just for tonight we will give you tomorrow's agenda which is placed on our table. Please enjoy yourself while here and we shall see you up bright and early tomorrow morning.”

He walked out of the main hall and as he did everyone got out of their seats to see whose team they were on. We all waited though until everyone had been and looked. I could hear some of the girls chatting to each other about Jamie. They were either excited to be on his team or really disappointed they weren't. He certainly has a reputation around him. They all seem to know him. All the girls have googly eyes around him, there’s only me, Gemma and Steph that don’t act like that. Well there is me, but at least I can keep it inside of me when I’m around him.

I looked at my group and it didn’t seem all that bad. Two of them I knew from the other shops within my city with us doing regional events. The others not so much with them being from down South. Gemma and Steph have mainly guys on their teams, Nathan has a mixture and surprise, surprise, Jamie has all girls on his team. Doesn’t seem fair how that’s worked out. We all got the schedule from the desk and the first thing was a team bonding session in one of the rooms in the hotel. We then get our lunch and afterwards, we are all off into the woods to play paintballing.

“I’ve always wanted to go paintballing!” I declared.

“You will love it,” Jamie replied.

“Hope so, but it does state that we won’t be together.”

“Oh yeah. It’s with the ones they’ve put together. Why do you think that is?” Steph asked.

“I bet it’s so we are playing against each other and they’ll want to see whether we would betray each other for the other teams we are on. They’ll want to see where our loyalties lie,” Nathan suggested.

“Yeah could be. To see if we would hit our own or run past each other!” Gemma replied.

“Well, I’m shattered. I’m going to go back to the villa and relax for a bit before going to bed. So, I’ll see you guys later?”

“You sure Keira? Free booze!” Gemma said persuading.

“Yeah honestly. You guys have fun. I’ll see you in the morning.”

We said our goodnights and I walked back to the villa. It’s a lovely walk back. You have to pass the main swimming pool and tennis courts before you even get to any of the villas. Most of them are in darkness, with it only being nine o’clock. Ours is at the top of the hill, but I’m not complaining. It’s such a beautiful sight from up there, even in the dark.

I opened the door to our villa and settled on the sofa in front of the big flat screen television. The next thing I know, I wake up on the sofa with a blanket on. I stand up confused and walk into my room. Gemma was just getting up herself.

“Hey sleepyhead. You sleep okay?”

“Yeah. Thanks for the blanket.”

“It’s Jamie you’ve got to thank. He was going to take you to bed, but you looked too peaceful, so he picked up a blanket from the cupboard and covered you up. He didn’t want you getting cold during the night.”

“Really? I’ll find him later and thank him then. That was kind of him.”

“I’ve never seen him like that before. Maybe we’ve underestimated him and he’s more than the player we know him as.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it!”

“You still hung up on him?”

“Yeah I like him but I’m not getting my hopes up. You’ve seen the girls he’s been with. Plus, he is the boss.”

“If you don’t try, you’ll be wondering what if all the time in your head. Go for it. You’ve got nothing to lose for it.”

“Except my dignity. I’ve not got the confidence you have Gem.”

“Don’t be daft. He’s see you at your worst when that guy back home tripped you up. He could've laughed but he was very concerned for you.”

“Was he? He never showed me.”

“Yes, he was. He was asking me all day if you were okay.”

“Oh...I didn’t know.”

We got into the lounge where everybody was waiting. I went straight to Jamie and I thanked him. He was all modest about it.

We got to the conference room and sat at our table. Mr. Daniels welcomed everyone and hoped we all got to know each other yesterday. He explained what we would be doing for the session this morning and let us get on with it.

Firstly, we had to write a statement as to why we like each one of our co-workers and put them in the middle of the table. We then had to pick one out of the middle and whoever’s it was, they then had to guess which one of our co-workers had written it. They were all lovely comments and we all knew exactly who they were from. Does that show that we are an awesome team?

The next exercise was to see if we trusted our co-workers. Of course, I trusted Gemma the most. We had to fall backwards and hope our co-workers would catch us. Of course, we all caught each other, but I did see some people around the room letting their co-workers fall to the ground.

The last exercise, we had to get to know the people from the other shops. So, the managers stayed on the tables and everyone else had to move around the room. We then got some questionnaires to fill out with the person sitting next to us on our right. I talked to someone named Claire, with me asking her questions and then Ben to my left, who asked me the questions. But when I was talking to them, I couldn’t help but look over to Jamie’s table from the corner of my eye. No surprises that his table was full of girls and he does seem to be really enjoying it.

We finished up and regrouped, laughing at how ridiculous this session has been, but at least the boring one is out of the way now and it is the only one that is indoors according to Jamie. He better not be messing with us. It’ll be nice to be outside all the time with this heat. This session was the most pointless one for our team. We are the most bonded team ever. We would do anything for each other.

The dinner was okay. It was just a buffet as we didn’t want to be too full for paintballing. After we had all finished up, we went to get changed into better gear and went back to the reception area where we were met by Mr. Daniels.

“Right then guys. You will be in the teams I have set for you. When you get on the coach please sit with those people and talk about your strategies. I personally am not coming with you, but Mrs. Roberts will be accompanying you and watching your every moves. So, have fun and work together.”

We all set off onto the coach, some moaning as they got on. I found Claire from this morning, as she’s on my team, and sat beside her while everyone found their teams. It did feel weird not sitting near Gemma. Especially as I was near the back and she was near the front.

My team couldn’t really talk to each other that well. All we could hear was a bunch of giggly girls. They were all acting like they were in school again. I did hear one of them saying to go after all of the girls first as the lads wouldn’t want to fire at them and for Jamie to go for the lads as he is stronger than they are. Thanks girls we now know your tactics. At least when we arrive, we can have a team talk around their tactics now. Which is exactly what we did.

We joined forces with Gemma’s team. There were no rules saying that we couldn’t team up with others. We decided to go after the girls in Jamie’s team after what we heard from them. But along the way, while we were playing, I got myself separated from the group and ended up lost somewhere on the course.

Suddenly, I heard about three voices heading my way, so I hid the best I could but there were only trees. There wasn’t any forts or boxes to hide behind like there was in the main area.

Bam...bam...bam...I was shot by the three girls on Jamie’s team. I fell to the floor as they were painful as they hit my legs and chest, but they carried on going even though I surrendered lying on the floor. So, I tried to dodge the shots but as I did this they hit me in the arse, back, knees, boobs and even one in the face. With my eyes closed, all I could hear was the girls laughing at me. I couldn’t help it, but the tears were flowing down my face.

I got picked up suddenly and heard Jamie against my ear, shouting at them. I felt his breath near my ear and he whispered, “I’ve got you now!”

He turned back towards the girls and started shouting at them again. “What do you think you are doing? You’re to shoot them once to get them out! You’re not to shoot her thirty times!”

I couldn’t help but start crying again, wrapping my arms around his neck, resting my head into his chest as he took me away to the main shack.

“Is there somewhere I can take her?” I heard him ask.

I couldn’t see who he was talking to, with me having paint all over my goggles.

“In here. You can use my office. I’ll get you some warm water for you.”

“Thank you.”

Jamie put me down onto a desk and helped me take my protective gear off. It’s not that protective. He took my goggles off first, so I could finally see and then my helmet.

“Ouch Keira! They’ve somehow cut your cheek.”

“Yeah I think it was from the impact of the paint hitting me. Is it bad?”

“It won’t be after I fix you up,” he grinned.

“Jamie, I’ll do it. You go back out there!”

“I’m not leaving you like this. Here dry your eyes,” he said giving me a tissue.

After wiping my eyes, I just had to get out of this jumpsuit. It was soaking from all of the paint. I just took it off, not caring if Jamie saw me in my underwear, but I am glad to have put my black piece on.

“Jesus Keira. You’re full of bruises all ready,” he said stroking my arms.

I looked down and must of see at least twenty bruises all over my chest, arms and legs who knows how many on my back. As I was wondering this Jamie went behind me to check my back. I turned a little for him to see but I grimace as he touched my back.

“Sorry. I can’t believe they’ve done this to you. You’ve not done anything to them!”

“That’s girls for you. They just turn. I’ll be fine in the morning.”

“Don’t be so gracious about this. They need to be told. This is horrendous what they’ve done to you.” He got up to go out of the door when I grabbed him.

“Thank you, Jamie, for having my back, literally and figuratively, but I will be fine once you have sorted me out. I don’t want any fuss. I just want to forget about this okay?”

“But…”

“Okay?”

“Fine,” he agreed walking back to me and hugging me. His embrace was so warm and just what I needed, but we were disturbed by a knock on the door.

“Hi, sorry to interrupt. I have the water you needed.”

“Oh, thank you. Can you find me a plaster too to put on her cheek please?”

“Yeah right away, if you want to follow me.”

He left which gave me time to cry in pain. I’ve never known that the body could be in this much pain. Wouldn’t be so bad if it was just a couple of bruises, but I feel so stiff from it all, I don’t know if I will be okay tomorrow. I’m hoping a hot bath might help sooth me later. Jamie walked back in with a very angry face.

“What’s happened?”

“Nothing!”

“Jamie, I can see it in your face. What’s gone on out there?”

“I’m sorry,” he said giving me an apologetic look.

“What for?”

“Those girls were outside, and I couldn’t help myself…”

“Jamie!”

“They were laughing when I walked out, and I know it was about you as they stopped when they saw me. I wasn’t having it. They’ve really hurt you. I can’t just stand around and do nothing about it. Then they had the audacity to ask how you were. That’s when it all kicked off. Gemma’s outside now too having a go. I’m going straight to Mr. Daniels when we get back.”

“Don’t please. You’ll just make it worse for me. Just leave it please. It’ll blow over in a couple of days.”

“No, I can’t.”

“Please.”

“Okay. If that’s what you want. I’m going to change teams though. I can’t stay on a team like that. I’ll have to make some excuse up.”

“I’m sure you’ll find one,” I said grinning at him.

Jamie finished cleaning my face and gently placed the plaster over my cut, I flinched as he did this. It’s so painful.

“Sorry.”

“Stop saying sorry. There’s nothing you could have done. They were out to get someone, unfortunately they decided it would be me. You came to my rescue. You definitely have nothing to be sorry for.”

His blue eyes stared into mine with such a guilty look to them. He looked away with a worrying look to him. I grabbed him by the face and made him look at me, so I could tell him to stop worrying, when his lips suddenly touched mine. It was amazing. I just couldn’t help but part my lips to allow his tongue to explore. It made me tingle wanting more, but he stopped.

“Sorry,” and walked out, leaving me there speechless.

What the hell was that? Was it just the spare of the moment thing? Did he feel sympathy for me, so he had to kiss me?

I quickly got dressed and went looking for him, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“Gem have you seen Jamie anywhere?”

“Never mind Jamie! What the f**k happened to you?”

“I’ll tell you later. Right now, I need to find Jamie.”

“He ran outside. He might already be on the bus. Most are on it already. I was waiting on you when he came speeding past me. Something happen?”

“No, I just need to talk to him, that’s all.”

“Okayyy.”

I quickly walked up to the bus but could see Jamie talking to loads of other people, so I thought I would leave it until we got back to the villa. Don’t want to do this in front of the whole company.

As we walked through the door to the villa, Jamie grabbed hold of my elbow and led me to the main balcony.

“Before you say anything, I want to apologise. What happened back there, it shouldn’t have happened and I’m sorry.” As those words came out of his mouth, I understood it shouldn’t have happened, but it still hurt him saying that. “Don’t get me wrong, you are an amazing girl, but it was just in the moment. Sorry.”

He turned and walked away before I could say anything. It’s starting to become a habit, him just walking away from me before I can get a word in. I walked to my room without looking at anyone to get ready for dinner. Gemma as always sensed something was up. I couldn’t tell her everything, not about the girls ganging up on me. I’m embarrassed about it, plus she probably knows all about it by now. I didn’t want her sympathy or to even relive it all over again. I just told her how Jamie and I had a moment, but nothing was to come out of it.

“Why? There must be something. He doesn’t just go around looking after girls and then apologise for it.”

“He just feels sorry for me that’s all Gem. Don’t think too much into it please, I’m not. So, you shouldn’t be. Let’s go down for dinner and enjoy whatever they have planned for tonight.”

“Okay. I won’t promise that I’m not going to mention it again.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her. We got to the food hall and saw it was Italian night. My favourite so I’m not complaining. We sat at our table, putting down our drinks we had just ordered. We were about to fetch our food when Mr. Daniels called for attention from us all.

“I want you all to look up to the big screen. This is not acceptable, and we have dealt with this accordingly.”

Suddenly, a video popped up of the girls attacking me. I saw Jamie look at me, but I just put my face in my hands in embarrassment. Everyone started talking amongst themselves.

“If anything happens like this again then everyone will suffer the consequences. We do not tolerate this behaviour. Therefore, I have moved Jamie to Nathan’s team and Jasmine to Keira’s team.”

I couldn’t help but leave. I couldn’t be in that room any longer with them looking at me and talking about what happened.

“Keira!”

“Jamie go back in please. I’ll be fine. I just want to be on my own.”

Suddenly, I had these arms holding me tight. I couldn’t help but break down into his chest, Jamie stroking my hair for reassurance.

“I’ll go get Gemma.”

“No... I’m just going to go back and watch some tele.”

“Okay. Want some company?”

“No. You go and enjoy yourself.”

“Sorry you had to see it again.”

“Stop saying sorry. It’s over with now. It’s in the past. Everything from today is brushed over.”

“If you’re sure?”

“I am. Now go and have some fun!”

He turned back towards the food hall, I watched him as he went, to make sure he actually went in. He glanced back before turning back into the hall. After today, I just want to be on my own and curl into a ball. I can’t have him hanging around me after what happened, it’s not fair on me. I hope things will be back to normal tomorrow.

I settled onto the sofa and watched a good chick flick having a good cry followed by a comedy to cheer myself up. I heard a key in the lock and I quickly put my head down to pretend I was asleep. I don’t want to talk to anyone just yet. I’ll speak to Gemma in the morning about what people have been saying in the hall after I had left.

But it wasn’t all of them. I only heard two people. One was Jamie and the other was some woman.

“Shhh...Keira is asleep. Don’t be too loud and wake her!”

“I can’t keep any promises once we’re in the bedroom!”

I couldn’t help but wriggle my nose up in disgust. That was quick, even for him. I heard Jamie bang into the table in the kitchen. “Shit...We’re safe, she’s still sleeping. Sleeping beauty that’s what she is.”

“Forget about her. Come to bed!”

“Let me just put a blanket on her then I’ll be right with you!”

“Never mind her...Look at this!”

The next thing I heard were the pair kissing and then a door slam. So much for being quiet and where’s my blanket? It’s just one thing for that man. What made it even worse was hearing them both. She isn’t exactly quiet.

I couldn’t listen to that any longer, so I decided to go for a walk to the beach. I banged the front door as loud as I could, so they knew I had left and headed down there. It’s very relaxing down here. It’s so peaceful. All I could hear was the faint music from the main hotel and the crashing of the see-through waves. I didn’t go far, just on the sand, in the light of the tiki lights. The stars look mesmerizing. We don’t really see them with us being in a big city.

“Hey!”

“Hey Gem.”

“What are you doing out here? I thought you went to relax in the villa?”

“That’s what I intended on doing until Jamie waltzed in with someone. I couldn’t listen to the two of them any longer.”

“Ah...I should have texted you. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. You heading back?”

“Yeah. Need my energy for this sports thing tomorrow.”

“Oh.”

“You coming with?”

“Nah, not yet. I’ll be up soon.”

“Okay babe,” she hugged me before she got up and went home.

I need to sit here more often on a night. It’s so good being away from everyone. Not that I necessarily want to be but just for five minutes away, it’s perfect. I was too lost in my thoughts that I jumped when a jacket fell onto my shoulders.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you. I wondered where you had gone and Gemma came in saying you were on the beach. So, I thought you might have been cold.”

“Thanks, but there was no need. I was coming back in about ten minutes or so.”

“It’s not a problem. You know, just accepting some generosity doesn’t hurt.”

“Why are you doing this Jamie?”

“Doing what?”

“Looking after me. I’m not a child. I can look after myself.”

“I know you can, but I feel responsible for you, for all of you. It’s my way of reassuring myself that you’re safe. I felt useless when you was in trouble. I just wish I had gotten there sooner.”

“I’m not your problem!”

“I didn’t say you was a problem. You’re one of my employees Keira. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, like I would with the others.”

“Fine. Just go Jamie. I’ll be home soon. I’m sure you have some unfinished business to attend to!”

“That’s why you left? Did we wake you?”

“I was never asleep Jamie. You just assumed I was. Next time check or have someone less noisy.” I hinted standing up and walking away.

“Keira come on!” He shouted running towards me.

“Leave it Jamie. I don’t want to discuss my bosses s*x life.”

“Is that how you see me?”

“Well, that’s all you are, aren’t you?”

“I thought by now we would be more than boss and employee.”

“Well…”

“Never mind. Let’s talk about your s*x life then if mine isn’t good enough!”

“Oh, piss off!” I said shoving him.

“Now I know you don’t mean that,” he smirked.

“What’s this sports thing tomorrow?”

He described what was happening as we climbed the stairs towards our villa. A beach volleyball tournament in the morning before lunch, then tennis after that.

“So, I finally get to see you in a bikini,” he said nudging me in the shoulder.

“That’s all you want isn’t it. To see all the girls in bikinis?”

“Yes! The only disappointment for you though is you’re not going to win.”

“And why is that?”

“Because it’s in the other teams and my new team are going to thrash yours.”

“Ooo, fighting talk. We shall see Michaels,” I laughed, running the last lot of stairs to the villa.

I heard footsteps running behind me when suddenly these muscular arms grabbed me by the waist, making me tingle and giggly from his touch.

“Not so fast Miss. Dixon. Now what kind of boss would just let their employees win?”

“A good one?” I laughed.

He put me down. “Now that’s what I like!”

“What?”

“You laughing. You’ve been down since this afternoon's antics. Now I feel happy I’ve got you laughing.”

“Don’t let your ego be the better of you. Your mood may well change by tomorrow night after we beat you!”

“The only way you’ll beat me is through the distraction of you in a bikini,” he smirked, leaning on the door frame.

“I’m sure I won’t be your distraction.”

“You don’t know what you have do you?”

“No because I don’t have anything.”

“You do trust me. Have you not seen the guys when you walk into a room?”

“No, I haven’t. Why would I when there are miles better looking women than me here?”

“Stop downing yourself. You are gorgeous and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

I looked into his sky-blue eyes and I could see he was being genuine with me. I never knew it and, in a way, I still can’t believe it. He’s my boss, he wouldn’t tell me otherwise. If he did, he’d risk losing me as an employee. All I could say back to that was “thanks.” I leaned past him to grab the door handle and opened the door ajar when he kissed me on the cheek.

“Night Keira.”

“Night Jamie.”

I walked into my room to find Gemma already passed out on her bed. I got changed and followed suit. What a day I’ve had. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better one.