Page 15 of Rum & Coke

“A little over a year,” I corrected.

“How are you liking it?”

It wasn’t my dream job, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. “I love the money and the flexible hours.”

“Good. I like seeing you out there.”

I gave him a small smile, not sure if I should respond or not. All I could think about was what I saw in his office a few days before. Luckily, the DJ announced me before I felt any more awkward.

“It’s time to bring out the lady in red. Ladies and gentleman, please give it up for Scarlett!”

Before I took a step up, Sebastian said, “If you ever need anything, Tessa, let me know.”

I nodded with another small smile and walked out to “Double Tap” by Jordin Sparks blaring from the speakers.

After my shift, I picked Colton up at school. We went home, where he instantly turned on the TV and put on his cartoon. As I stared at the cartoon dogs, I kept replaying my interaction with my boss over and over in my head. The conversation was weird and awkward. I had been at Red Diamond for over a year and he’d barely spoken to me in that time. I needed Melony. I needed to pick her brain.

Me:Can you come over before you head to RD?

She texted me back right away:On my way over.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on my door. Peeling my eyes away from the TV, I went to greet my best friend.

“Hey.”

“What’s up?” she asked, walking inside.

“Let’s go to the kitchen table.”

“This must be serious,” she stated and walked toward the kitchen.

I closed the door and locked it. After sliding into one of the dining chairs, I said, “It’s not serious, but something’s up with Sebastian.”

“What do you mean?” She arched her brows.

“He talked to me today.”

Melony chuckled. “And?”

“Is that normal? He’s barely said two words to me the entire time I’ve worked there.”

She thought for a moment. “I mean, I see him talking to the girls.”

“You do?”

She stood and went to my fridge, grabbing a bottle of water. “Well, yeah. He’s our boss.”

“What does he say to you?”

I watched her move back to her seat and thought for a moment before answering. “Actually, I can’t recall anything.”

“See,” I stated. “This is weird.”

If I hadn’t seen Sommer on her knees in his office, I wouldn’t think twice about it. Now, I was questioning everything. It wasn’t normal. The girls and I went in, danced, and left. We paid our dues to Honey and not him directly. It was as though he was Big Brother and only watched us from afar.

“What did he say, exactly?” she asked.

I took a deep breath. “Just asked how long I’d been at Red Diamond, if I was liking it, and told me that if I ever needed anything, I could come to him. Oh and, he likes seeing me dance or something.”