Quality Assurance (3 page)

She nodded. “Good to know. Well, I know one of the admins in the sales group is going to give me the computer rundown this afternoon on the sales side so that’s covered.”

“Good. The sales side tracks things for its own use, and we don’t have access to that.” Jackson shrugged.

Glancing at her watch, Ash saw it was nearly noon. A good excuse to leave even though Eli had ruined her appetite. “I don’t want to hold up your lunch. I’m going to run out and grab something.”

“Most people just bring lunches, but have a nice day.” Eli turned back to his laptop.

The room got even colder, and Ash smiled out of habit. “Good to know. Nice meeting you. Nice seeing you again, Jackson.”

“Hang on, we’ll go with you.” Fred followed her out.

* * * *

Ten minutes later, Ash and the three very hot and friendly guys from QC were at the café with their orders placed. She felt better but helpless. Eli had stayed behind, and while she wanted to catch up with Jackson and get to know the other guys, she had unfinished business with Eli.

“He hates me,” she said to Jackson.

“No, he doesn’t. He’s stubborn. Long memory. He’ll get over it.” Jackson sipped his tea.

Fred put a hand on hers. “Look, I love Eli, I do, but he’s moody and obsessive. He doesn’t handle change well. The adorable geek complex in him needs to work out a problem. Even if it’s history to you, he has to fix the glitch.”

Ash felt an odd spark. She was attracted to them all. Even Eli had turned out hot behind those glasses and the scowl. Maybe it was his confidence that impressed her so much. Those stories of group relationships in Lucky Springs teased at the back of her mind. “You and Eli?”

Fred shrugged. “We’re a good balance. Of course, those two are hotness squared. It’s fun to work with the guys you love, but it can get complicated. If Eli didn’t care, he wouldn’t be brooding.”

“Maybe he’s just trying to punish me. You guys know the story?” she asked.

Xavier nodded. “We all live together. Your name made him see red.”

“After all these years.” Jackson chuckled. “That’s what gets me. He’s a good guy. Smart, strong and good. He’s got us, so he’s certainly not lonely. But, most groups want a woman even if they’re all bisexual. I think he’s never gotten over you.”

That sparked hope. Eli had to be attracted to her still or he wouldn’t care.

Their food came, and they ate quietly for a few minutes.

“So you four are a group, and it’s that openly discussed?” she asked.

“The men outnumber the women right now. Guys are sharing houses and apartments to have a place to crash. The town’s talking about building another apartment building. Some guys are straight, but they make friends. If they’ve got a woman, they’d share. Would it be permanent? Don’t know. Then there are groups or pairs like us.”

“Bi?” she asked.

“Bi and eager to find the right woman to make it complete. Things feel unsettled. I hope this isn’t too weird.” Xavier looked at Jackson.

“She’ll find out about it from the ladies of Lucky Springs. No reason to hide it.” Jackson popped a chip in his mouth.

“I’ve already heard a little of it, but I didn’t expect for it to be right there.” She squirmed in her seat as her body volunteered to be with these guys. “Eli wants a girl, too?”

“Oh yeah. That might be part of his frustration. If you’re nice to him, maybe apologize in private if he lets you, I think he’ll come around.” Fred patted her knee.

“I tried.” She imagined Eli naked and not hating her. Fred was sending her signals she liked, but if the entire group wasn’t into it, she couldn’t ruin their arrangement.

“I know, but the initial shock is one thing. There’s plenty of time to get to know each other as adults.” Jackson checked his watch. “We should get back, or Eli will have something else to crab about.”

She slid out of the booth. “We’ve grown, but our personalities are basically the same.”

Xavier paid the check, and Fred refused when she tried to hand over money for her share.

Jackson pulled her aside. “He’s an all-or-nothing guy, Ash. Eli had it really bad for you in high school. All the guys wanted you, but it was more than attraction for him. Win him over and all that resentment becomes good stuff.”

She smiled. “You guys are going to help me get closer? It seems like any available woman in Lucky Springs is a hot commodity. Will any girl do?”

“No. I had plenty of good things to say about you. Don’t let Eli’s approach turn you off. This isn’t something temporary for us. Fred and Xavier love Lucky Springs. If you believe stuff happens for a reason like I do, you belong here. Hell, I never did a guy until Xavier. Life brought us back here. Fred and Xavier are special and so is Eli, once you get beyond the quirks. If you don’t want it, trust me we’ll work fine together until we find the woman meant to be with us. We’re just getting ourselves at the front of the line. In a few days, you’ll have lots of offers for dates, and it’ll be obvious. You’ll have your pick of men. No rush to decide if you’re interested in us or not. I do think you should try and work stuff out with Eli, though. Lucky Springs has a long memory. Why let it haunt you?” Jackson kissed her cheek and held the door open for her and the other guys.

Ash let her sexual desire grow this time. Jackson made her feel connected and safe. Even Eli’s rude behavior made her feel as if she belonged here. He wasn’t being nice in that fake way so many people behaved. Like the kids in high school who were nice because she was popular then talked about her behind her back. Eli wore his feelings on his sleeve. That was oddly refreshing. It’d been a while since she’d had any relationship and these guys weren’t strangers. Still, for now, she had to focus on the job.

* * * *

Walking back in the QC room, Fred knew Eli would be in a state. Things had gone a little further than he’d intended with Ash, but Jackson knew her and had nudged the conversation there.

Eli was on his computer with his work face firmly in place. Fred moved in behind his guy and kissed the back of his neck. “Don’t be pissed.”

“Too late. You didn’t have to hate her but to ditch me?” Eli didn’t look up from the computer.

“You could’ve come along.” Xavier got back to his work and stayed out of the drama. Fred expected no less. They’d come up from the gulf together. Xavier had been in Katrina and stress made him shut down.

“He’s right. Ash is nice. You were being a total dick.” Jackson shook his head.

“She’s being nice because she wants your help. To make her look good. I helped her in chemistry class, too, before my big screw up. She was nice when she needed help then it was gone.” Eli folded his arms.

“She wants to clear the air, and you’re stuck in high school. We treated her like a new employee here, and she’s pretty eager to fit in.” Fred took his seat and spun playfully. “I’ve got an idea.”

“I’m scared.” Eli took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“I think it’ll give you some closure, us all some fun and get her into the Lucky Springs routine.” Fred winked at Jackson.

“Now,
I’m
a little scared.” Jackson sat next to Xavier and pretended to work.

“No way, you started it. Jackson was talking to her about the group stuff and how Ash will no doubt be approached by plenty of groups once she’s been around a week or two.” Fred leaned over Eli’s computer and saved his work.

“Okay.” Eli closed his computer.

Jackson jumped in. “She’s already heard about the group thing, and we let her know the four of us are together.”

“You also said we’re looking for the right woman,” Xavier said.

Jackson shrugged. “I didn’t want her to think we’re strictly gay. She has friends, and it’s not like she’s unattractive.”

Fred smiled. “Exactly. We like her, and I think she’s attracted to us.”

Eli’s blue eyes glared coolly at his boyfriend, but Fred kept up the positive glow.

“You wanted her in high school. Why shouldn’t you have her now? She knows you and Jackson, so compared to a group of men who are total strangers, we’ve got an edge.” Fred didn’t rush the idea.

“Make her ours? Share her? She doesn’t deserve it.” Eli reached for his computer.

Fred put his hand over Eli’s. “You’re assuming it works out, and we live happily ever after. If she’s the same person you’re talking about, you know that won’t happen. Her true colors will come out, and we’ll just break up.”

Jackson smiled at Fred while Xavier chuckled at the antics. It was Eli’s silence that made Fred nervous.

“I’d have to be a lot nicer to her.” Eli sat back and pondered.

“True. Tell her you needed to get that history out of your system, but it wasn’t professional, which is true, and you’re sorry if it made her uncomfortable. Put the teenage drama behind you and start fresh.” Fred leaned in and kissed Eli teasingly.

“Be nice now, and when you see she’s the same old Ash, we dump her?” Eli asked.

“And if she’s matured and grown, we got to a hot new woman in town first,” Jackson said.

“Don’t get your hopes up.” Eli put his glasses back on.

“Look she screwed you over in high school. Now, you get to screw her for a bit. If we dump her, with so few women around, think of what that’ll do to her reputation.” Xavier cut to the bottom line.

Eli smiled. “I’m in. I’ll go and apologize to her tomorrow.”

Chapter Three

The next day, Ash had nonstop meetings with the sales group. From customer service to the salesmen, she got the full experience. She even got to meet some new potential customers who took the factory tour with her.

When her department’s admin told her Eli had come looking for her twice during the day, Ash couldn’t believe it. She’d gone down to QC, but it was after five and the guys were gone for the day. Questions about what Eli wanted had kept her up half the night and left her stomach in knots. When she did sleep, she had X-rated dreams about four men and Eli’s anger made it hotter.

Walking to the QC area the next day, she passed the accounting group and spotted Crystal. A little friendly support couldn’t hurt. Ash detoured and plopped into a chair in Crystal’s cube.

“Go on. Just apologize, and get it over with.” Crystal turned to face her friend.

“I will. I would’ve yesterday, but I was busy with meetings. We’re here to work not relive high school drama. But why did he come up to see me? He didn’t send any email messages or leave any voicemails. I can’t believe it’s work related.” Ash twisted her hair tightly around her index finger.

“Well, I saw Eli and all his pals yesterday. Hot, nice and friendly. Eli was sweet,” Crystal said.

Ash sat up straight and let go of her hair. “Sweet? To you. Were they flirting with you?”

“Flirting? I don’t think so. I thought you were worried he’d hate you. Now, you’re calling dibs?” Crystal asked.

“No. No, it’s just the other guys seemed like they were sort of flirting with me on my first day. Jackson and I were the same classes since first grade. If he thinks there’s a chance we can all get along, then who knows? I’m not jumping in on a group or whatever, but I do know two of men. It’s not like I’m flirting with strangers.”

Ash could use the sex life, and Jackson wouldn’t let anything get too weird.

“Got it. Relax, Ash. Of course, you’ll get grabbed first. There are plenty of men around here anyway,” Crystal whispered.

“Stop, don’t talk like that.” Ash hated when Crystal made glib references to her size. Crystal was smart and loved herself but felt it necessary to acknowledge the fact that the world did rank women by their looks and size.

“Are you kidding? This is a guaranteed win. I’m taking my time and making sure I get guys who appreciate all of this.” Crystal’s phone rang, and she grabbed it while waving Ash off to deal with her men issue.

Ash took a deep breath and headed straight for the QC room. With a quick knock, she entered, and Fred smiled at her immediately. She waved and let the thrill of male attention bump up her confidence. Eli might be mad at her, but it meant he still cared for her on some level.”

“Eli, you came to see me yesterday?” Ash sat next to him.

Finally, he looked up from his screen. “Right, I didn’t hear you come in. I wanted to apologize for how I acted the first day.”

She nearly jumped in apologized herself but decided to let him finish first.

“I had a little high school overreaction, but it shouldn’t impact our professional relationship.” Eli nodded.

“Thanks, but I can’t blame you. High school can be traumatic for everyone, and when it comes back to haunt you… Coming home wasn’t as easy as everyone thinks.” She looked from Eli to Jackson.

“You want a parade? I can talk to the mayor.” Jackson teased.

She laughed. “No! That’s not what I mean. I left as prom queen and all that. Now, I’m back, needing a job. I didn’t get one in New York or Atlanta.”

“You’ll have more fun here. I promise!” Fred rolled up very close on her other side.