“Of course,” I respond.
“And what is that policy?”
“Interactions with guests must be professional at all times.”
“Precisely, and you understand this policy? There are no questions about what is considered professional?”
I think about the brief words I have had with Tony at the hotel. Should I not have spoken to him at all? But I didn’t initiate the conversations. Or maybe she’s thinking of that older businessman who tried to hit on me months ago?
“I don’t have any questions,” I say.
“I thought you understood as well. You can imagine, then, how surprising it was to find out that you have been...associating with Mr. Lee.”
I stare at her dumbfounded. Either she’s overreacting to my early encounters with Tony or...
“What do you mean?” I venture nervously.
“One of our employees saw you enter Mr. Lee’s vehicle.”
“He offered me a ride in his limo to the MUNI station because it was raining. He happened to be there when I slipped in front of the hotel.”
“It was not raining in the photo I received, it was not his limo, and it was not near the hotel.”
A photo? She had received a photo? I immediately think of Sierra. But then I remember I had also bumped into Tracy.
“Now, normally, this would be grounds for termination.”
I look sharply at Mrs. Ruiz, a sick feeling churning in my stomach.
“But given that Mr. Lee is also the owner of the hotel, or his family is, the situation is less straightforward,” she continues. “However, if you are a person of character, of integrity, you understand that your actions set a very bad precedent for others and stands in egregious defiance of an important policy. I’m not going to fire you, but I think it is obvious that your continued employment here is to no one’s benefit. I hope you know what I consider an appropriate solution.”
I draw in a difficult breath. “You want me to quit.”
“I do not think you would be happy working here. I had considered you one of our best employees, and it is very disappointing for me that you have chosen to do what you did. If you leave, you are free to pursue your...continued interaction with Mr. Lee.”
I almost laugh ruefully, but there’s no use explaining to her why I won’t be seeing Tony anymore.
“Should I...leave now?” I ask.
“Yes. Your final payroll will be sent to you in the mail.”
I can see that she has nothing more to say, so I get up. I walk out of The Montclair, but I don’t know where to go because I’m supposed to be at work. Suddenly, I have free time that I shouldn’t have. I wander into a coffee shop to drown my sorrows in a cold swirl of caffeine, chocolate, whipped cream and caramel drizzle. I open my textbook to study, but my mind can’t seem to retain anything.
I remember I have yet to text James to confirm a time and place to get together to study. I take care of that and spend the next ten minutes re-reading the same page.
Get it together, Virginia Mayhew Porter. So the last few days ended up in the crapper. It doesn’t mean you should bomb your econ test.
I try to focus on studying but give up after fifteen minutes. I take out Fifty Shades Darker. But even escapist fiction holds no appeal. Maybe a chocolate chip cookie would work better.
The cookie helps a little. I think the only way I can purge this out of my system is to talk to Lila. I know she’ll be there for me. I just have to swallow my shame.
I pack up my books and decide that maybe a walk will help clear my mind. I step outside the coffee shop and stop in my tracks.
It’s Tony.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“Enter the car,” he says, opening the passenger door of