I forced myself to stop watching her once I was sure she’d got the hang of it. It was obvious that she’d studied the menu at some point because she wasn’t taking too long at the computer when putting in orders.
I realized as I left the office that I’d forgotten to give her the stuff we gave all new hires the night before. Stuff she would’ve needed to get ready for her first day of training.
Like the menu, the rules, the serving etiquette etcetera, but she didn’t seem to be suffering from my mistake. From what I’d seen so far there was no reason she shouldn’t get hired on her own merit, which saves my ass.
I went to the bar where Tony was chatting up one of the bartenders and took the stool next to him. “You finish doing what you came here to do?” I know just what he was thinking from the look on his face.
Always in my damn business. “Why don’t you go back to what you were doing before I came out here and leave me alone? Give me a water Celeste please.”
“Didn’t you restock your fridge yesterday? I could’ve sworn I saw them carry in a case.” He whispered when she walked away to get me the bottle of water and a glass with a lemon wedge.
I started to answer him but just then the hair on my arms stood on end and I felt that cramping in my gut. I didn’t have to turn around to know who had just approached the bar.
I saw her out the side of my eye as she sidled up to the bar at the other end, tray in hand. The male bartender smiled at her and said a few words as he filled her order.
I waited until she walked away to turn and watch her. She never looked in my direction once. Did she not see me sitting here?
I had no reason for the sudden frustration I felt and I didn’t appreciate Tony’s snicker. “Quit or I’ll tell your mom what you were getting up to last week.”
“That’s low bro.” At least it would shut you the hell up. “So is your girl mad at you or what? She just straight pretended not to see you sitting here, that’s cold.”
I took out my phone and scrolled to the third number in my contact list. The damn fool nearly broke my arm. “Okay damn I’ll stop. But you gotta admit this is some funny shit. You usually have them eating out of your hands. This one looks like she’d like to roast you on a spit.”
“I guess this is your karma coming back to bite you in the ass.” He had quite a lot to say about my dilemma as he called it and I let him have his fun while I sipped my water.
“You done?”
“I’ll think about it. It might be worth getting into trouble with ma to rag your ass.” I endured his bullshit until his words registered.
“What do you mean she pretended not to see me?”
“You weren’t looking in her direction, I was. I noticed her notice you. She got this look on her face like she smelled something bad before looking away again.”
“Did she really?” I looked back towards the entryway leading into the dining area.
“So what exactly happened between you two last night?”
“Nothing happened, I gave her a job what else?”
“But not the one she wanted. Why is that again?”
“Stop being an ass and go back to pestering my staff.”
So she saw me did she? Impudent little girl. If that’s the way she wants to play it fine. No gratitude for the man who gave her a job and saved her from having to bare her ass to put food in her mouth.
“Get the plane ready, we’ll leave tonight.”
“Uh-huh, whatever you say.” Oh he’s having a grand old time at my expense. I’ll figure out a way to get him back before long. That’s always the way with us two.
Right now I was too upset with her to think of much else. How dare she? Does she know how hard it is to get a job in one of my places?
I have hundreds of applications in my office right now from people I was sure were more qualified than her just waiting for a chance to get in the door.
I got up from the bar and stormed out the door with no set destination in mind. It had been a while since I walked the streets of the city. Tony with his over protective ass never let me do anything anymore.
But I needed some fresh air to cool me down before I wring her damn neck. “I want to be alone.” I heard him behind me, but didn’t turn around.
“People in hell want ice water, what’s your point?”