He folded the cleaning towel and stuck it somewhere under the bar. “Maybe you know my sister. Ray Graham.”
I swallowed. Public was huge in comparison to the Academy, at least as far as class size. But I knew Ray Graham, had a few classes together over the years, but we hadn’t talked much. She hung with the rough-and-tumble crowd that tended to get in trouble. Made more sense now that I’d seen the pub. Lazy Ray’s. “You named the bar after your sister?”
His lips twitched. “My pop’s did. He passed away about ten years ago. Ray and I’ve been running the place since. Are you sure you want to work here?” He raised his brown in question and disbelief.
“Yes,” I confessed, surprising myself.
Crossing his arms over his chest, he eyed me for another moment. “You look like you have spunk. Good. You’ll need it. Here’s the deal. How about we do a trial run for a week or two, see how you like it. If you fit in and can handle the work, the job is yours.”
Something like happiness bubbled inside me. “Thanks. I really appreciate it.”
“Can you start Friday?” he prompted.
I nodded. “After school.”
“Good. It’s one of our busiest nights, so don’t be fooled by the quiet crowd today. This isn’t the kind of job where you sit on your pretty ass and paint your nails.”
I lifted my chin. “Got it. I think you’ll find out I’m not a pampered princess. I don’t shy away from getting my hands dirty.”
“Zeke! Another,” one of the guys at the bar hollered.
Zeke tipped his head in the customer’s direction, drawing out a glass from the rack hanging above the bar. “Ray has the final hiring decision. She’ll go over the pay details and such. Word of advice, get on her good side.”
I smiled. “Noted.”
“See you Friday night, Spunky.”