The Renovation (Contemporary Reverse Harem 2)

“Mr. Renner,” I said, trying not to stare at what I was pretty sure a bad toupee, “thank you for inviting us all tonight. It’s really a lot of fun.”

Okay, that was a lie. But it was only wise to thank the person picking up the check, right?

“You’re welcome, Jane. I hope you have fun.” He looked around, probably for someone he’d rather talk to besides me. Couldn’t say I blamed him.

There was a tap on my shoulder. I whipped around to see who it was and gave Mr. Renner the chance to escape that he’d been looking for.

“Hey, Tanner.” I wonder if he was going to call me Jane, too.

“Jayma. Cheers.” He clinked his glass against mine.

I had to admit, he was adorable in that Clark Kent/Superman sort of way with short, tidy hair, and somewhat nerdy glasses. I could just see the tip of a tattoo peeking out from his shirt collar and several closed up piercings on his ears. Was he a closet bad boy?

Anyhow, I don’t know what the hell he was doing talking to me. He’d never paid much attention to me before.

Wait. Maybe he was sensing my tremendous potential?

I clicked into networking mode.

“So, Tanner, I heard you were put on the new account. The tampon one.”

He rolled his eyes, then quickly looked around to make sure no one saw. He lowered his voice. “Yeah, can you fucking believe it? I mean, what do I know about tampons?” He blushed for a moment. Like it hurt to say tampon.

Whoa. He was confiding in me. I didn’t understand this change in behavior, but I was going to work it.

I looked around too, out of respect for his desire for secrecy. “I know, right. Kind of weird to have a dude working on feminine hygiene products.” I figured I could say dude since he so freely dropped the F-bomb.

He pointed to the stool behind me and plopped on one himself. Was he suddenly my buddy?

As I sat, he leaned closer. I looked around to see if anyone was paying attention.

He smelled nice. Kind of like something pine-ish and clean. Hair gel? He looked like he might wear hair gel.

“It was so freaking weird. Listening to my coworkers talk about…you know.”

Geez. He couldn’t say the word period? Well, this was my big chance to help him.

“Look. It’s a natural thing. You’ll get used to it.” I nodded with authority. I mean, I had been getting periods since I was thirteen, so I knew something about the subject.

“Yeah. Well, I hope so.” He did not look convinced.

Ugh. Bob from finance had just arrived at the gathering. I looked away quickly so I wouldn’t have to say hi.

Tanner waved over the bartender for another round. “So what about you?” He leaned back and studied me.

“Me? What do you mean?” Which part of my sucky life was he inquiring about?

“You know. How’s life as a receptionist at an exciting ad agency?”

Was he freaking kidding? I transferred calls, opened mail, kissed asses. Got paid shit.

Stay positive. Smile.

“Oh, well, it’s interesting. I mean, I get to meet all sorts of people.”

> That was sort of true. I saw the mayor one time. Not sure he saw me, though.

“But,” I continued, “I’d really like to do some account work.”