Repo Ridge was probably Jane’s least favorite spot she was now inclined to frequent—it was almost as intolerable as her soon being forced to attend church.
She learned quickly from her interview that club managers only wanted two things: money and no problems. Her chipper attitude and well-researched history of tennis fell on deaf ears, though; the manager, Mr. P, was much more interested in ogling her fit body and attractive face. That was fine with Jane. All she had to do was channel Desiree—anytime the two of them were working out and either man or woman looked her way, Desiree immediately turned up her sex drive—she was all seduction, dark promise and sultry eyes. Jane was a great student if nothing else.
Mr. P hired her on the spot.
The first few weeks were rough, as Jane did not actually enjoy having to entertain the elite. Anyone who was taking lessons was either drunk or abysmal.
This worked in her favor as she was now regularly overdosing on gossip. It amused and annoyed her how privileged and silly most of them were. They had no real problems—it was laughable that some of them even attempted to relate to her! She smiled through it and took their money, all the while listening for any mention of The Georgette Collins. This was the hot topic per usual—they either loved her or hated her, there was no in-between. Jane deduced the latter was out of jealousy when she bumped into Dave’s wife that very afternoon, seeing as the woman was nothing if not completely lovely.
Bumping into Georgette meant Jane finally spotted her alone, for the first time ever. She was sitting by the tennis courts, sipping on a cocktail as she gazed with longing at the players in front of her. Georgette was always swarmed with bloodsuckers—ones that were itching to have a bite of her outrageous wealth and social status. But she couldn’t care less about what people thought of her.
Jane liked that.
“Do you play?” she asked quietly as she sidled up next to Georgette.
The woman turned to look at her, a large beautiful smile on her delicate face. Jane felt ridiculous in her club uniform, like an annoying little gnat that had come to bask in this creature’s glory.
“God no! I’m absolutely atrocious!”
“Have you ever tried?”
“Well, no,” she frowned, turning back to look at the players across the court, “Actually, I haven’t.”
“Then you might be a pro! Waiting to claim your super power!”
Georgette threw back her glorious head and laughed with delight. “It’s more likely that I can fly,” she continued to giggle as she took a large sip of a Bloody Mary. “What’s your name, dear?”
“Heather. Nice to meet you, Mrs....” she hesitated as if grasping for the word.
“No, Missus, please! Georgette Collins, lovely to meet you, Heather,” she reached out her jewel-covered fingers for Jane’s bare ones, “This sounds completely ridiculous, trust me I’m aware, but it’s so nice for someone not to know me for once!”
Jane smiled at the irony, but it was also true what Georgette said, Jane didn’t know her at all. She only assumed that if the woman had fallen in love and married Dave Collins, then she was going to be as horrid and awful as Jane hoped.
“I find it equally refreshing to meet someone who actually cares what my name is,” Jane countered with a little laugh of her own. She almost wished she hadn’t voiced those thoughts out loud as pity instantly consumed Georgette’s features.
“Join me, won’t you?” she asked quite unexpectedly.
Jane was thrilled, nervous—this was what she wanted, wasn’t it? The perfect opportunity to get close? She hesitated and looked around the nearly empty courts.
“If you’re worried about Peter throwing a fit, don’t be. He’s my biggest fan,” she rolled out her arm to indicate Jane should take the seat next to her.
“I can’t afford to lose this job.” Jane once again struck gold. Georgie was no longer looking sympathetic. Her eyes filled up with determination.
“I won’t take no for an answer. Trust me, I pay these bastards a fuck ton of money to do what I want. No one will question it,” she winked and turned to reach down at her side. When she reemerged, it was with a giant pitcher of Bloody Mary’s and a devious smile. Jane slowly slid into the chair, hating how much she already liked this woman.
“Alright.” Jane felt like pushing her luck. “But only if you try tennis. One lesson in exchange for one cocktail.” She knew this would be her in—she had to concentrate, not get wrapped into emotion.
Georgie let out a little yelp of victory and busied herself pouring the drink. “You can never just have one, darling.”
That’s what Jane was hoping for. She never drank, but this specific invitation made it unavoidable—Jane was going to do anything to continue growing her relationship with Georgette Collins.