Flight Read Online Free PDF Page A

can’t leave the desk empty so I’ll stay here,” I explained.
    “ Oh, then forget it.”
    “ Go ahead, I don’t mind.”
    “ You sure?” Jess tried to act like she didn’t care, but her face pleaded with me. So much for being into Jared, she certainly seemed excited to see Billy.
    “ Yeah, go ahead,” I repeated.
    “ Okay, great. I’ll be back soon so you can get something next.”
    “ All right, have fun.”
    I played around on my phone for a while, downloading some apps I didn’t actually need. A few guests came to check in, but thankfully, I was able to direct most questions to the concierge. I was feeling all right, but I needed caffeine. I noticed a sandy haired guy working at the bar and decided to go over to get a Diet Coke.
    “ Hi there. Are you Allie or Jess?” the bartender asked as soon as I walked over.
    “ Hi… How did you know our names?” I said slowly.
    He laughed. “Well, how many new employees do you think started today?”
    “ Oh, that makes sense. I’m Allie.”
    “ Alex. Pleasure to meet you.” He shook my hand.
    “ Same.”
    “ So you’re the boss’s daughter, huh? What can I get you? Not going to drink on the job your first day, are you?”
    I tried to ignore the boss’s daughter comment even though it irked me. “No, I’m not that desperate. I could use a Diet Coke though.”
    “ Coming right up.” He smiled as he popped open a can of soda and handed it to me.
    I took a sip, and started to take a seat when Jess’s voice rang through the lobby.
    “ Oh my god Allie, I’m so sorry we were gone so long!” She joined me at the bar, Billy next to her.
    “ This must be Jess?” Alex asked with the hint of a smile.
    “ Oh no, what did Allie say about me?”
    “ Nothing, we’ve only been talking a minute,” Alex explained.
    Billy exchanged glances with Alex. “Well, I’m glad you guys met. I thought we could all go out after work. Jess claims she wants to try some southern food.”
    “ Southern food, eh?” Alex arched an eyebrow.
    “ I want my experience down here to be authentic.”
    “ Oh yeah?” Alex laughed. “You in, Allie?”
    “ Sure, but I should probably get some lunch now.”
    “ I’m sorry again for taking so long, but here’s a peace offering.” Jess pulled a plastic bag from behind her. I took it, and peeked inside to find a sandwich.
    “ Peace offering accepted. Let’s get back to work.”
    ***
    After running upstairs to our rooms to change, we headed down to the lobby to meet Billy and Alex.
    As the elevator doors opened, I noticed the infuriatingly familiar outline of Levi walking toward us. Thankfully, he was looking the other way. Jess had already started getting out, so I yanked her back inside, letting the doors close again.
    “ What the hell was that?” she asked, rubbing her arm where I grabbed her.
    “ Sorry, I’m just not in the mood to deal with him right now.”
    “ Fine. I guess it’s better this way. It would have been awkward to have tried to talk to both Jared and Billy at the same time.”
    I shook my head.
    By the time the doors opened again, Levi and his friends had already moved over to the bar where a female bartender now worked.
    Alex and Billy were waiting for us by the front entrance.
    “ You know those guys?” Alex asked, noticing the direction of my attention.
    “ We hung out with them last night,” Jess said nonchalantly.
    Alex stopped to look at us as we walked out into the still bright sun. “You should really stay away from them. They aren’t the kind of people you kids should be hanging out with.”
    “ Kids?” I asked as we walked. “As compared to you and your advanced years?”
    “ I’m twenty-four. You just graduated from high school, right?”
    “ Yeah, so?”
    “ Well then, you’re a kid. Trust me; the next few years will make a big difference.”
    “ Okay, whatever. I don’t plan to spend more time with them, but now I’m curious. Why warn us about them?” I asked as we walked