I shook my head. “How the hell do you know all of this stuff?” I asked him. Jordan tapped his ear with his finger.
“I keep my ear to the ground, my friend. It's amazing what you can learn when no one thinks you're listening.” I frowned at Jordan and got up from the stool, knowing I should go over to Evian before she tracked me down.
“Remind me to keep my deep dark secrets close to the chest then,” I joked.
Jordan's eyes smoldered at me suddenly and I found it hard to breathe. “Ah, but Maysie, I want to know all of your deep, dark secrets. I look forward to figuring them out.” His voice was husky and I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. Shit. He was going to be difficult to stay away from.
But who says I even wanted to? We had chemistry and he was fucking hot. I was a hot blooded college girl, why shouldn't I indulge? So I shot him a saucy look before turning around to leave. “Well, you'll have to work for it then,” I told him over my shoulder. I could hear him laughing as I walked away with a little extra sway in my hips and I knew he was watching me as I did.
Once the evening shift started, we were slammed. Barton's was hugely popular and there was a 45 minute wait by 5:30. I was running around like crazy. It was official, I was Evian's bitch. Sure she took the orders and greeted the tables. And it was more than a little fascinating to watch how seamlessly she transformed her militant persona into a people pleasing, syrupy sweet, good ol' gal. Once she had played up the people at her tables, I was expected to punch the orders in, expedite the plates and take them to the tables. I had to handle the drink refills and getting orders from the bar. And that nasty bitch-face kept all of the tips.
Riley on the other hand lucked out and was paired with Damien. He was a cute guy who was also a junior at Rinard. They seemed to hit it off and she had already earned a wad of cash. I tried not to hate on the fact that my feet hurt and I had nothing to show for it.
The noise in the place was deafening and I could barely hear myself think. My calves ached and I was getting a headache because I had forgotten to eat before the shift started. My mood was going straight to the toilet.
I hollered out a beer order to Jordan and Lyla, who were slinging drinks like they were in Cocktail or something. They had a crowd three people deep all the way around the bar. They knew how to work the room, that was for sure. I watched them while I waited for my order. Lyla had turned up the volume on the speakers and was gyrating to a Bon Jovi song. The guys were hooting as she turned around to shake her ass.
I couldn't help but start to move myself. I loved to dance. Most weekends, I'd drag Riley or a few of my sorority sisters into the city to find a club. And I was pretty damn good at it, if I do say so myself. So, I started to move my hips in time with the pounding base.
“Damn, that's hot.” Jordan called out, watching me. I flushed red and stopped dancing. Jordan came out from around the bar and put his hands on my hips.
“No, don't stop,” he whispered in my ear and started to move behind me.
There were a bunch of catcalls as I caved and started dancing with him in time to the music. My ass swirled back against his hips. We rubbed against each other and Jordan snaked his arms around my waist to hold me and pull me back against his chest. We swayed together, our bodies moving in a perfect rhythm. The hot press of his hands mixed with the musky sweet scent of his sweat was intoxicating. I felt his lips brush the bare skin at the back of my neck and we both trembled with a need that threatened to consume us. I could feel the hammering of his heart against my back as I pressed even closer to him. I lost all sense of time and place and for a moment I forgot that we were in Barton's, and we were supposed to be working.
All I could feel, all I could think about was Jordan Levitt, with his arms around me, pressed against my back like he couldn't tear himself away.
“What the hell are you doing?” My head whipped up at the sound of Evian's terse question. She looked murderous. I moved away from Jordan instantly.
Jordan cleared his throat. “Aw, give her a break, Ev. You've been running her ass off.” I noticed his voice was ragged and I chanced a peek at him. He met my eyes and winked at me. I looked away, feeling suddenly embarrassed for dancing with him like that. In front of a room full of people. Shit, what had come over me? This was my work place! Not a damn club!
I was feeling flustered when Lyla brought the drinks to me that I had needed for one of Evian's tables. She gave me a knowing grin, looking between Jordan and me. I grabbed the order and practically ran from the bar. After delivering the drinks to the table, I went up to the hostess stand to grab a mint. And to catch my breath.
Riley came up beside me. “What was that? I think I got pregnant just watching you two,” she snarked.
I laughed it off but was quietly mortified that everyone in the place had been witness to our lascivious spectacle. “Great, just the kind of first impression I wanted to make,” I muttered. Riley snorted.
“Yeah, well, apparently that's Jordan. Damien says he's a notorious flirt. So I wouldn't worry about it too much,” she commented, sending my stomach to the floor. Good to know that Jordan wasn't acting any differently toward me than he had with anyone else. Nothing like feeling like the next in a long line of shameless flirting girls to make this gal feel all warm and fuzzy.
“Yeah. I guess it was nothing,” I agreed, going off to find Evian.
“Mays...” Riley called out but I waved her off. I didn't want her to see how much her words had bothered me.
I spent the next couple of hours staunchly ignoring Jordan. He tried to catch my eye a few times, but I would quickly look away. My pride was hurt and I felt like nursing my wounds secretly. Around 8:00 I finally had fifteen minutes to kill. So I scavenged some bread sticks, nearly inhaling them. Grabbed my cigarettes out of my purse in Moore's office, and headed out back.
I sat down heavily on an overturned milk crate and lit up. The first drag provided instant relief. Thank you nicotine. Jordan had knocked me off balance and I didn't like the feeling. I pulled out my phone and frowned when I realized Eli still hadn't texted me. Hell, he was probably balls deep in another girl by now. I really needed to reevaluate this so called relationship of ours.
I heard the kitchen door open behind me and turned to find Jordan taking a seat on the stoop. He took the cigarette from behind his ear and put it to his lips. I tried not to stare as he inhaled. How did he make smoking look so sexy?
“How's it going?” he asked after we had sat in silence for a few minutes. I leaned over and put out my smoke.
“My feet are on fire, but other than that, I'm doing fine,” I replied, looking at him as he stared off in front of him.
He finally glanced over at me and smiled. “Let me help you out there,” he said, pulling my foot into his lap.
“What are you doing?” I gasped as he slipped off my black sneakers and started kneading the soles of my feet with deft fingers.
I couldn't help the groan that escaped my lips. Jordan raised his eyebrows at my response and then grinned as he moved his hands up my legs and started rubbing my calves. “You're so tense,” he murmured as he rubbed me.
“Damn, you're good. I'm gonna have to take you home with me.” I moaned as he worked the kinks out of my feet and lower legs.
Jordan chuckled and I realized what I had said. I blushed, yet again. “I think I might have to take you up on that offer.” He mused after letting me pull my feet away. I slipped my shoes back on and got to my feet.
“Yeah, uh, well thanks,” I said quickly, picking up my lighter from the ground.
Jordan grabbed by arm before I was able to escape back into the kitchen. “Mays,” he said quietly and I looked down at him. He was playing with the barbell in his tongue and I was mesmerized by the way he flicked it back and forth across his teeth.
“Yeah?” I asked a little breathlessly. My earlier annoyance with him was instantly gone. Jordan rubbed his hand up my arm and goose bumps broke out along the trail of his fingers. Jordan
looked at me, his eyes sparkling.
“I'd really like to take you out sometime. I want to get to know you better,” he said, not breaking eye contact.
My heart sped up, I felt lightheaded, and I thought I might pass out. Thoughts of Eli or not having a thing with a guy I worked with all went out the window. All I could think about was that this gorgeous man who wanted to spend time with me.
But I had to play it cool. I smiled slightly and cocked my head to the side as if considering his offer. When what I really wanted to do was scream, 'HELL, YEAH!' I tapped my finger on my chin, as though I were deep in thought and Jordan's lips quirked in a smile. “I guess that would be alright,” I admitted coyly.
Jordan grinned. “Why don't you wait for me until after my shift is over? We can go and do something,” he suggested, pulling me closer, his hand brushing the back of my knee. Oh crap. My stomach knotted up and I could feel my palms start to sweat. But I nodded and I was proud when my voice didn't shake.
“Sounds good. See ya then,” I said, pulling away. Jordan let his hand drop and got to his feet, following me into the kitchen.
The rest of the night became almost unbearable. All I could think about was getting done so I could hang out with Jordan. I felt his eyes on me as I ran food. He made a point to brush my hand with his when he handed me drinks.
I felt exhilarated. High on the euphoria of anticipation. I was going to go out with the most fantastically gorgeous guy I had ever laid eyes on! And he seemed to like me! Me! Miss Morganstown, South Carolina herself. I was so lost in my own little bubble that I didn't notice three of my sorority sisters show up.
“Maysie!” I heard someone call out. I looked over at the door of the restaurant and saw Gracie Cook, one of my pledge sisters.
“Hey girl!” I said, coming over to give her a hug. Gracie was easily my closest friend within the sorority. We had clicked right away. She was adorable in a waifish sort of way and I loved hanging out with her.
I looked over at the other sisters who came with her. Vivian Baily and Milla Wood stood behind her. I went down the row, giving each a hug. I loved Vivian, she was bubbly and fun. Milla on the other hand, I hadn't figured out quite yet. She had this air about her that was kind of off putting. She seemed to have this calculated look on her face. As though she were plotting ways to take over the world, the room, whatever. “We're heading over to the bar. Come see us when you have a sec,” Gracie called as they made their way through the crowd.
At around 10:30, Moore came out and said Riley and I had been cut. He told us to come back tomorrow to get our schedules for the week. He patted us both on the back and let us know he thought we had done really well. I glowed at the compliment, feeling good that I hadn't dropped anything all night.
“I'm gonna go hang with the girls. You want to join?” I asked Riley as we gathered our things from the back. Riley rolled her eyes.
“I'll pass on sorority bonding for the night. I'll meet you at home, I'm wrecked.” I wasn't surprised by her answer. I had not as of yet, convinced her to hang out with my new sisters. And I knew better than to push her about it.
“Well, don't wait up, because I'm supposed to hang with Jordan after his shift.” Riley's mouth set in a grim line.
“Didn't we talk about this Mays?” she asked.
I looked away from her. “It's just hanging out.”
“And denial is just a river in Egypt. You ain't foolin' nobody,” she quipped and I just shook my head.
“Well, I'll talk to you tomorrow.” And with that, I walked away, not wanting to hear anymore of my friend's caring but annoying warnings.
I took my hair out of the pony tail and let it fall over my shoulders. I figured I could hang out with my friends while I waited for Jordan to get off of work. He was on the clock until 12:00. That gave me time to have a few drinks and try not to obsess about how nervous I was to spend time with him.
Coming out to the bar I was surprised to see Jordan chatting it up with Vivian and Milla. Though, he was a Pi Sig, so it made sense that they knew each other. Gracie had saved me a spot beside her and I hopped onto the barstool. Jordan was still talking to Milla, so Lyla took my drink order. She knew I was only twenty, but she hooked me up with a Jack and Coke anyway.
Working here was definitely going to have its perks.
I could tell Gracie was already a little drunk as she leaned over to give me a beer scented hug. “How was your shift?” she asked me. I looked over at Jordan, but he seemed to be engrossed in whatever Milla was telling him. I felt a twinge of jealousy at seeing him talking to another girl. But I reined that in quickly.
“It was pretty good. Though I had to shadow this chick named Evian and she was a complete slave driver. I'll be lucky if I can feel my feet in the morning.” I sipped on my drink, wishing Jordan would look at me.
Vivian leaned passed Gracie and kissed my cheek. “We've missed you at the house this week! You need to get your ass over there so we can start planning Fall Rush,” she enthused. Vivian and I were Rush chairs and we were expected to plan the parties for the fall. I was excited to have some responsibility in the sorority. I loved the girls and I couldn't wait to meet some new people.
I realized Jordan had finished his conversation with Milla and was watching my exchange with Vivian with a strange look on his face. I gave him a smile. “Hey, Jordan,” I said. Jordan glanced from me to the other girls and he looked as though he had swallowed glass. What the hell was his problem?
“So, you get to work with the infamous Jordan Levitt,” Milla commented, looking between Jordan and me. I turned to Milla and smirked.
“Infamous, huh? Do tell,” I joked, drinking some more of my cocktail. I was starting to feel a little light headed. I was a cheap date, that's for sure.
“Uh, there's nothing to tell,” Jordan interjected, looking suddenly nervous. Milla grinned at him. Though even I could see how predatory that smile was. Damn, she wanted to jump his bones too! Was there not a girl within a sixty mile radius that was immune to Jordan Levitt's irresistible charm?
“That's not what Olivia tells me,” Milla said coyly. Olivia? Did she mean Olivia Peer, our president? Did she know Jordan? I looked at Milla questioningly.
“I'd better get back to it,” Jordan said quickly, moving away without looking at me again. Milla drank her beer.
“Don't tell me you don't realize who he is,” she said, looking over at Jordan who was putting glasses away behind the bar. I frowned.
“Um, that's Jordan Levitt. He's a Pi-Sig right?” I didn't get what she was trying to say.
Vivian sighed. “He's not just any Pi-Sig, he's the president. And he's dating our president. Together their going to have little president babies. They've been going out since our freshman year. How did you not recognize him? He's over at the house all the time.” Vivian looked at me like I was an idiot.
It felt like the floor had just opened up underneath me. He was dating someone? And not just anyone. He was dating Olivia fucking Peer. The most beautiful and perfect human being I had ever met. Everyone loved Olivia. Including, apparently, the guy I had just spent the entire evening lusting after.
What the hell? And he had been shamelessly flirting with me the whole time while he had a girlfriend! I downed the rest of my drink, feeling the sudden need to get very, very drunk. Milla was watching me closely. My discomfort with Milla intensified. She was a huge gossip and was forever circulating rumors about people. So far I had stayed out of her line of fire and I didn't need to give her any reason to look at me at all.
I smiled painfully. “No, I didn't recognize him. But I don't think I've ever met him before.” I choked out, waving a hand at Lyla to get me another drink. Gracie grabbed a handful of peanuts and tossed them into her mouth.
“They're only like Rinard royalty for Christ's sake. They are the most perfect couple. It's almost sickening,” she remarked.
Sickening is right. I felt like a moron. And more than that I wanted to punch Jordan in his s
tupidly gorgeous face. He had been totally leading me on and that did not sit well with me. I noticed that Jordan was making a point to stay on the other side of the bar.
He asked me out and he had a girlfriend! One of my sisters to be precise and now he was avoiding me?! Lyla brought me another Jack and Coke and I drank half of it in one gulp. Gracie looked at me with a frown. “You alright?” she whispered. I gave her a weak smile and nodded.
“Fine, just tired.” I could hear my words starting to slur together and my head felt fuzzy from the alcohol.
I wanted to get out of there. But as I continued to drink and continued to get more wasted, I found that I wanted to confront Jordan fucking Levitt and set him straight. How dare he make look like a fool?
The bar was heaving and after awhile, Vivian and Milla joined a group of Kappa Taus at a table near the back. Gracie sat with me while I threw back drink after drink. “Girl, you'd better take it easy. You're going to feel like shit in the morning.”
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