Bronn casts his eyes over me appraisingly but not in a creepy way. I get the feeling he’s assessing me somehow.
I’m a big woman, tall and wide and a little round, even more so since having a kid. I stand up tall, proud of my five-foot-seven height.
“You ever do any security work?”
I’m not sure where this is going, and I’m not sure I like it.
“No…”
“You want to?”
I stare at him for a long moment. I know some men find my size intimidating, but I’m a big softy underneath. I’m not made to do security.
“I don’t think so…”
“I’ll pay you triple the cleaning rate.”
Now he’s got my attention. I’m on just above minimum wage, and that doesn’t include what I have to fork out for the cleaning supplies. The extra money would be a godsend.
“It’s a day’s work at triple what we pay you now.”
That would pay off the water bill and means I can do two hot showers a week for a while. And I’ll be able to pick up a bit of meat this week to see if Layla likes chicken. Plus, I can put any extra aside for when Bertha does eventually go to car heaven, as I know she will.
It’s too good to turn down, but I’m not qualified to be a security guard.
“What do I have to do?”
“You don’t have to do anything. We’ve got a job with a minor politician, and she’s insisting on having a woman on the team.”
“Can’t you ask Amy?” I think about the receptionist, the sweet but tough talking daughter of one of the scariest looking men who works here. She may be small, but with a dad like that, I bet she knows how to take down men twice her size.
“Amy’s too petite looking. Security like this is all about show. You look the part.”
I’m choosing to take that as a compliment. Looking intimidating is a good thing, right?
“I don’t have any experience. What if something happens?”
“You’ll be with one of our guys the whole time. If anything happens, which is unlikely, then he’ll step in. You just need to be a presence, make her feel like we’re listening to her wishes.”
“What does it involve?”
“You’ll be in the car that picks her up from the airport and delivers her to the venue. You’ll walk her to the entrance and back to the car when she finishes. Other than that, it’s a lot of waiting around in the car.”
It sounds like an easy way to earn a quick buck. But I’m not sure if it’ll fit in with Layla’s schedule.
“What are the hours?”
Bronn cocks his head, probably wondering why I’m not biting his arm off for the opportunity.
“It’s an easy day. Pick up is ten in the morning and you’ll be done by three. I’ll pay you for a full eight-hour day.”
I’m about to say that won’t be necessary, but I stop myself. This is easy money. I can’t turn it down.
“Okay.”
Bronn gives me a rare smile. “Good. You’ve got a good physique for security and a sensible head on your shoulders. You should consider it.”
Again, I think it’s a compliment, which is rare coming from Bronn.