Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“Another one?” I ask before I realize the question has left my lips.
I don’t need him to hang out here any longer. I want him out of this bar now.
“Is that a problem?” he questions.
“Don’t you have a job to get back to?” I paste on a sugary sweet smile. “I wouldn’t want your boss getting pissed at you for taking too long of a lunch break.”
“That’s not going to happen,” he says. “You’re not denying me another beverage, are you?”
I am, and it’s not because he’s intoxicated. It’s because he’s annoying the hell out of me.
I point at his empty glass. “You downed two drinks pretty fast today. I know how much you like scotch, but maybe save the next one for when you’re at home tonight. You indulge a lot during the evenings and weekends. I’ve seen that for myself.”
“You what?” He takes a half step closer to me. “When did you see that? Have you been spying on me?”
Yes, but I’ll never admit it.
“I’ve seen it two times.” I dart two fingers in the air. “Twice, you’ve knocked on my door when you’ve had a drink in your hand.”
A smile slides over his lips. “Right.”
He doesn’t add anything else even though both times that happened, I asked what he wanted, and he said he needed to borrow a cup of sugar.
I told him to get lost. He did after he smirked and winked at me.
I look at my watch again. “I need to get back to my other customers. Have a nice day.”
“Have a nice day?” His arms cross his chest. “Telling your customers to stop drinking is not the way to hold onto this job, Champ. Ever heard of upselling?”
There’s no way in hell he thinks that Champ is my actual name, but I won’t correct him.
As soon as Grady is back in Manhattan, I’ll find a new place to live, and I’ll never have to see this guy again.
“My job is none of your business,” I snap, mimicking his stance.
“I’m back!”
Relief flows through me when I hear Gage’s voice behind me.
“My boss is here,” I say before I turn around.
Gage is grinning when I spot him. “Sorry that took so long.”
I rush toward him. “It’s not a problem at all.”
“Did everything run smoothly?” Gage asks that question every time he steps away from the bar.
“Smooth as silk.” I smile. “If it’s all right, I’m going to take off. I have a lead on a job I think I’m perfect for. I want to apply today.”
“Go.” He grins. “If they have any sense, they’ll hire you.”
I move around the bar, rid myself of the apron, and grab my purse and phone. “That’s exactly what I’m hoping for. I’ll be in tomorrow night for my shift. I won’t leave you short-handed.”
“You’re the best,” he says as he glances around the bar. “Is everyone settled up, or…”
I look to the left and then the right, taking an extra second to lock eyes with my neighbor.
“Everyone is squared away.”
“Perfect.” Gage sighs. “You’re a lifesaver. If you need a solid reference, point your potential new employer in my direction.”
I may just do that.
I want that job at Wells more than I’ve wanted anything in a very long time.
Chapter Four
Callie
“Do you have any experience in men’s underwear, Callie?”
I’ve put my hands in a few pairs while they were on men I was about to go to bed with, but I don’t think that’s what the marketing manager for Wells wants to know.
Shaking my head, I smile. “I’ve worked in retail settings, and I’ve held marketing positions, so I think I bring a solid, well-rounded experience to Wells.”
I’d pat myself on the back for that answer if I could. It’s a ten out of ten.
I’ve been in prep mode since I got the call two days ago that I’d landed an interview with Wells. I didn’t want to walk into this unprepared, so I wrote down every answer to the questions I anticipated may be asked of me.
The woman interviewing me grins. “I see that you worked at Polleys for a time. I love that store.”
I do too.
When I worked at the shoe store part-time in college, I used most of my earnings to buy designer shoes. My employee discount was fifty percent, so I viewed each purchase as an investment in my future since I knew I’d wear them to a corporate job one day.
“Polleys was a great foundation for me,” I explain. “I spent almost all of my time with customers. That gave me a clear understanding of what they were looking for and what appealed to them in terms of our marketing endeavors. I helped the owner create a very successful digital marketing plan.”
I worked at the independently run shoe store when they had one location. They’ve branched out to two now. I can’t take credit for that, but the owner was more than happy to listen to my ideas when it came to marketing.