Tears of rage threaten to fill my eyes, but I blink them back quickly. When I’m in a situation where I can’t scream, my body always wants to revert to crying. “Then I guess those aren’t the kind of managers I’d want to work for,” I grit out.

He pushes back from the desk, shaking his head as he makes a big deal of shuffling papers around. “I’m sorry, but you are not a good candidate. Thanks for coming in.”

That’s all he wanted? To get a look at me and see if I’d be willing to put up with his perverted ass? I practically launch myself out of the chair and waste no time bursting out onto the sidewalk, running along the businesses up and down the strip. I need a shower. Two showers. Scalding hot.

Terrific. Now what do I do? I guess I’ll go home, though the prospect fills me with about as much happiness as does the idea of working for a pig like the man I just interviewed with. There’s a bus stop up on the corner, a metal and glass shelter with benches. I’d rather sit on a bench and wait for the next bus than reach out and ask for a ride. I shudder to think of the hoops I’ll have to jump through for that. Besides, it’s been way more than an hour since Colt and Nix dropped me off. I’m sure they’re done working out by now and are probably home. Not that I particularly care about inconveniencing them, but I’m sure they will care very much and will find a way to take it out on me.

With that in mind, I duck beneath the shelter and take a seat before pulling out my phone to check the bus schedule. The one that runs closest to the house will still have me walking a few blocks, but that’s nothing.

“Dammit,” I whisper, checking the schedule again to make sure I’m not looking at the weekend version rather than the weekday. No, I’m in the right spot, and according to this, the last bus ran at five o’clock. If the jerk hadn’t kept me waiting all that time, this wouldn’t be a problem.

I would still rather eat my own tongue than ask for help from either of the Alistair brothers. Well, at least I know my sneakers are sturdy enough to get me home. I get up with a sigh and begin walking.

I should have known the job was too good to be true. The way he reached out to me so quickly, even though I don’t have any qualifications. People are always looking for a way to take advantage, it seems. I hate that I even entertain such jaded thoughts, but facts are facts.