Predator - A Stand Alone Suspense Romance(58)

“Yeah … uhm.” I clear my throat. “I was wondering if you have any jobs? For me? I mean I’m looking for any kind of job.”

He gets up and looks me up and down. I take a step back just to be safe.

“I have an opening but not for someone like you,” he says almost rudely.

I lift an eyebrow and cross my arms over my chest. “Someone like me?”

“Yeah.” He waves a hand at me. “You’re too small. I need someone with muscle. You’ll have to carry heavy boxes, stock the shelves, sign for stock as it’s delivered and carry it to the store room. You’re too small, and you’re a woman.”

My mouth drops open in surprise that he’s discriminating against me just because I have boobs! Is this man from the middle-ages?

“I’m strong,” I snap at him. “I’m a hard worker, too. What would you rather have, some wimp who hasn’t worked an honest day in his life, or a woman who doesn’t have a lazy bone in her body?”

The man stares at me and it looks like my smart mouth just lost me any chance of getting the job. I turn around to walk away when he says, “Fine, I’ll give you a week. The pay’s not great, but it’s money. There are no benefits. You work from eight a.m. until five p.m., and you get an hour’s lunch.” He points to the box he was busy unpacking. “You can start with that. You’ll find more boxes in the back. Keep the shelves well stocked. I don’t want to lose a sale because you didn’t have it on the shelves. Also, make sure we have stock in the backroom. If we run low on something, then you come tell me, and I’ll place an order.”

He starts to walk by me and I quickly give way. “I’m Nina Jackson. Don’t you need any of my information?”

He keeps walking. “I have your name. I’ll be paying cash so I don’t want to know any of your shit.”

I frown at his rudeness. I resist the urge to stick my tongue out at him and go sit on the crate. I continue putting the tiny packs of nails, screws and bolts where they belong.

Right now I’m so damn thankful that I’ve worked in a hardware store before. I’m going to make this man eat every one of his words.



Damian~

I drive away from Mrs. Perry’s house after fixing her fish tank. She got new lights but they didn’t work. The problem was with the switch. A wire came loose and it only took a minute to fix so I didn’t charge her.

I think about the other job I have. It will take up most of my time for the next week. Mr. Taylor is wheelchair bound so they want me to add a ramp for him to the new gazebo they just got. I also have to maintain the other ramps around and inside the house, so at least it will keep me busy for a while.

I stop at the hardware store so I can order some lumber and get some other supplies. Walking in I see Joshua behind the counter.

“Hi, Joshua,” I greet as I take the measurements out of my pocket. “I just need a few things.”

“Sure,” he smiles at me.

“I’ll need these measurements in treated lumber for a wheelchair ramp over at Mr. Taylor’s place.”

Joshua takes the piece of paper I wrote all the measurements on and checks it all over. “I’d suggest you use screws. Nails will come undone.”

That makes sense. I nod at him. “Yeah, you’re right. Let’s go with screws.”

“I have some medium length boards in the back, two by four. They should work well.” He starts to walk to the back and then asks, “What are you going to use to make it non-slippery?”

“I was thinking grit tape. You have some?”

“I don’t have enough for this size ramp. I’ll have to order some.” He stops in the back of the store looking at the lumber. “You’re going to need some thinner ones for hand and guard rails.”

“Yes, you think you can get it all ready for me? Just give me a call and I’ll swing by to get it.”

“Sure thing,” he grumbles, walking back to the counter. “Just write your number here. Nina!” he yells suddenly.

I write down my new name and number and push the piece of paper back to him.

“Yes,” I hear a familiar voice behind me. I turn around and frown when I see Cara. What is she doing here?

“Go check how many packs of screws we have,” he barks at her.

Her eyes dart from Joshua to me, and then she quickly disappears into the back.

“So,” I turn back to Joshua, “she’s working for you?”

“Who?” he asks looking confused for a second. “Oh, you mean the woman? Nah, not for long. She came in here earlier asking for a job, said she could do anything a man could.” He chuckles and I don’t like the sound of it. “We’ll see how long she lasts.”

I don’t want to mess up her first day at a job, but I want to give Joshua a subtle warning. He better not mess with her.

Cara comes back. She looks nervous and she stays a safe distance from the counter. “Fourteen,” she says, trying to sound sure of herself, but the uncertain look in her eyes doesn’t escape my watchful eyes.

“Get back to work,” he barks at her again.

“Nina,” I say before she can dart to the back of the store. I walk right up to her and taking her face in my hands, I watch her eyes widen. I press a kiss to her lips and then smile at her. “What time do you get off?”