Total pages in book: 164
Estimated words: 152931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 765(@200wpm)___ 612(@250wpm)___ 510(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 152931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 765(@200wpm)___ 612(@250wpm)___ 510(@300wpm)
“She took off about fifteen years ago. I found out a few months ago that she died of a drug overdose not too long after that. All I remember was a guy in a shiny red car parked out front waiting for her the day she left.” Another tidbit of his life that he rarely shared with anyone.
“And you’re from here?” Julian strolled to the large black desk across the room, drink in hand.
“Born and raised.”
“Boyfriend? We don’t need anyone in here causing problems. You seem the monogamous type.” He looked up from the file cabinet he riffled through.
“I probably am. I haven’t dated much. I generally just swipe right.” Levi grinned. His relationships these days were more with the Tinder and Grindr apps than anyone he’d met in life. Even then, he hadn’t had sex in more months than he could count.
“Yeah. Tinder. I’m into that now,” Julian said and pulled out a manila envelope, tossing it on the clean desk before motioning for Levi to take a seat in one of the chairs facing the desk. “I’m sorry about your situation, Levi.”
“It’s okay. My brothers are good kids. We’ll get it figured out,” Levi said, not wanting to linger on the subject, he asked a question of his own. “How are you doing after everything you’ve been through?”
It was none of his business, but he asked anyway. Julian had this comfortable way in which he handled the world. He accepted himself and others in such a genuine way that Levi couldn’t comprehend how Julian seemed perfectly at peace with himself. Levi had never felt comfortable with himself, or around the other people in his life. He appreciated the self-assured ease Julian projected. He wished he had the same confidence.
“As good as things have gotten for me, I’m still battling some trust issues.” Julian took a long drink from his glass then tipped it back, draining the last of the liquid. “My Tinder experience is just talk. I haven’t gone there yet. Weird, huh?”
“No, not at all. I don’t have a lot of sex. I did more so on the east coast in school than here, but I figured you and this guy Thane would have rekindled your…you know.”
If Julian noticed his hesitancy, he didn’t say a word. “He’s a really good guy, and now he’s turned into an even better friend. I can’t say I don’t miss sharing a bed with him. He’s got an amazing body that he definitely knows how to use, and he’s a very attentive lover. You know what made him different? He took the time to make sure he knew what I liked. No one’s ever done that before,” Julian answered honestly, and Levi had no idea what to say. He wasn’t sure he’d ever had sex where the other guy tried to please him. Most of the time they both just rushed to the getting off part. “So, what do you think?”
Still stuck on the amazing concept of a lover trying to please him sexually, Levi had to shift thoughts to even understand Julian’s question. He blinked a couple of times as he sifted through the situation then remembered he was here for a job and answered truthfully. “About this job? I don’t think I have the right personality to pull this off.”
“But you’re gonna give it a try, aren’t you?” Julian’s smirk spread into a grin.
“I don’t wanna have sex for money. No offense, but it’s not for me, and that’s a hard line. If I was going to go that direction, I already would have. As soon as I can get back on my feet and get my brothers on the right track, I’m going back to medical school. If all that sounds good with you, and if you’ll let me, I’ll give waiting tables a try,” he said nervously, stepping way outside his comfort zone.
Julian pointed to the legal-size envelope on the desk. “Fill those out and bring ’em back tomorrow. That’s important.”
Next, Julian riffled through the drawer then placed three hundred dollars in front of him. “I’ll need receipts for petty cash. Go to Charade over on Kearny Mesa Road and get yourself several pair of briefs—purple, silver, blue, or black. Also get some black boots and a pair of white running shoes. Doesn’t matter what brand as long as they’re white. I’ll get you the rest. That’s the uniform. You’ll get a calendar so you know what night you’re expected to wear what. If we host an event or do something special, we provide the costume for you. Also, since you’re waiting tables and dealing with food and drinks, you’ll need to get your food handlers card. It’s an online test. The information’s in the packet. Pay for it with that cash—I need the receipt.”
Julian paused, giving him a critical assessment before continuing. “It’s probably better if you were waxed or shaved too, shows more definition. A tan can also make you look a little more cut, that is, if you’re worried about the way you look. Just so you know, the men are gonna like what they see, so don’t get too lost in your head about it.”