The Side Effects of You by Anna Black Page A

right back with that menu.” She smiled and was off.
    â€œSo you know the owner?” Jayden asked me.
    â€œYes. When I got promoted five years ago to GM at the hotel, she came over to bring menus for our attractions table, and we hit it off. She’s about the only one, besides my family, that I can call a friend.”
    â€œThat’s cool.” He smiled, and I couldn’t help but smile back. “You have a beautiful smile.”
    â€œYou think so?” I blushed.
    â€œYes, I do.”
    â€œThank you. I haven’t had much of a social life, and I haven’t gotten a compliment in . . . Shit.” I laughed. “I can’t even remember.”
    â€œI find that hard to believe.”
    â€œWell, it’s true.” I saw Sam approaching.
    â€œJosie, hey, girl.” She leaned in for a hug.
    â€œHey, Sam.” I frowned. “You smell like onions.”
    â€œI know. I’m sorry. The prep cook went home with some stomach issues, and that is the job everyone despises, so I’m on it. It’s good to see you. I’ve been looking for you.”
    â€œGirl, working long hours.”
    â€œI can imagine,” she said.
    Jayden cleared his throat.
    â€œI’m sorry. Sam. This is Jayden. Jayden, this is my dear friend Samantha.”
    â€œNice to meet you.” He flashed his gorgeous smile.
    â€œYou too,” Samantha replied. They shook hands. “Listen, I’m going to go and delegate and get out of these kitchen clothes. I have someone I’ve been dying for you to meet,” she announced.
    I nodded. “Okay.”
    â€œPlease, you guys, don’t leave,” Samantha said. “It may be an hour before he arrives. Can you hang a bit?”
    I looked at Jayden. I knew I could stay, but I didn’t want him to feel obligated.
    â€œSure. We are good,” he answered for us both. Instantly, I had a chill. I loved a man who took charge.
    â€œGreat. Let me go to my office, and I’ll be back shortly,” Samantha said.
    We both nodded. I turned and grabbed the menu, even though I already knew I’d get the steak quesadillas.
    â€œSo, tell me a little more about yourself,” Jayden said.
    I told him the short version of me coming to America, marrying young, and my ex-husband ending up in prison. Gave him the clean version of my troublemaker, Ana, and spent time praising my joy, Angelica.
    We talked until Sam returned. Shortly after, her friend Ethan arrived. He was cool, nice-looking, and I could tell he was into her just by the way he gazed at her. And since she had been single for as long as I’d known her, I hoped he was a qualified potential boyfriend.
    The four of us laughed a lot, drank a lot, and ate all we could. I was tipsy and felt high. I wished that Jayden and I were a couple, because I didn’t want our night to end. But I wasn’t supposed to be getting so personal with a guest.
    Ethan and Sam were sitting close to each other and whispering in each other’s ears, so Jayden and I shared our own little intimate conversation.
    â€œAre you ready to walk back?” he asked.
    â€œI am, but I’m not. I know it’s close to closing, but I don’t want the evening to end. I don’t usually have a connection with a guest. No fraternizing is rule number one.”
    â€œI see.” His facial expression became sad.
    â€œListen, I’ve been professional with all my guests but you. I’ll admit you are the first guest that gave me . . . I don’t know. Let’s just say you are different. However, until you check out, we can’t do much.”
    â€œSo, in the morning I’ll check out.”
    â€œOh no. Don’t do that. I mean, I don’t want you to leave.”
    â€œI don’t want to leave, either, but I want to get to know you, and if a ‘no fraternizing with guests’ policy is going to keep me from getting to know you, I’ll find another