Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 66978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Then I draw in a breath, trying to gather what little courage I have and resisting the urge to come out fighting.
I meet Linda’s gaze. “This isn’t something I like to talk about, Linda, but I was abducted from my restaurant in Phoenix. I was held captive on Derek Wolfe’s island for five years.”
Linda’s eyes widen. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that question.”
No, you should have known. Those are the words I want to spew in her face. But instead—
“You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s a valid question. But I want to be truthful with you. I didn’t leave of my own volition. I might still be working there if I hadn’t been taken. But I would like the opportunity to work at one of the best restaurants in Manhattan. I’m a good server, and I believe I could do this job.”
“Kelly, the job is yours.”
I stop my jaw from dropping. “Just like that?”
“The Wolfe family dines here a lot. If I can do anything to help any of their father’s victims, I want to do that. I believe you can handle the job, and I would like you to have it.”
“But the only reason you’re giving it to me is—”
“Kelly, no. As much as I want to help Derek Wolfe’s victims, I wouldn’t give you the job if you didn’t have any serving experience. I might try to find something else for you—in the kitchen, or upfront. But we only hire experienced servers here at The Glass House.”
“All right. Thank you.”
“Come with me. We’ll go back to my office and get your paperwork done. When would you like to start?”
“As soon as possible, I guess.”
“Perfect.” Linda taps on her tablet. “How about tomorrow night? I have openings for both lunch and dinner shifts, but dinner shifts make bigger and better tips, so I’ll give you the option.”
I swallow. “Dinner it is then. What time do I need to be here tomorrow?”
“Dinner seatings begin at five, so get here at four and I’ll have one of the experienced servers orient you. Our uniform is simple black pants and a white blouse. The pants you’re wearing are fine. Do you have a white blouse?”
“Like a plain white blouse? Like what I’m wearing, only in white?”
“Absolutely. The blouse you’re wearing is lovely. It just needs to be white.”
“Yes, I have a white blouse.”
“Excellent. You may want to buy a few more. You’ll be wearing them every night, so you’ll need a few if you don’t want to be doing laundry every day.”
I nod. “Of course. I’ll do that.”
“All right. Follow me to my office, and we’ll get you set up.”
About a half hour later, I’m fully employed and ready to start at the restaurant tomorrow evening. I walk back to where Leif is still sitting on the bench in the waiting area. Already people are lining up outside for lunch. Leif has his head down, and he’s typing something on his phone.
I clear my throat.
He looks up and smiles when he sees me. “You were back there a long time. Can I assume that it went well?”
“Why would you make that assumption?”
He shakes his head.
God, why did I do that? Why is my first instinct always to fight? This man is not my enemy.
“For your information, it did go well. She hired me. But only because of the Wolfe family.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“She asked me why I left my previous job. What else could I tell her? It wasn’t my idea to leave it. I’d probably still be in Phoenix working there but for…”
Leif rises and nods. “But for being abducted and sent to the island.”
I gulp. “That’s right.”
“It’s okay. It’s good that you didn’t lie.”
“Except that when she found out my history, she offered me the job on the spot.”
“So?”
“So the only reason I got it is because of my…checkered past.”
“And the problem is…”
“The problem is she didn’t hire me on my qualifications. I was a two-bit waitress at a local diner. I’m not qualified to work here.”
“The manager thought you were.”
“The manager was taking pity on me.”
“So what? You got the job. If she doesn’t think you can handle it, prove her wrong. Be the best damned server The Glass House has ever seen.”
I feel a smile emerging on my face. I’m enjoying this—this constant sparring with Leif. I tend to spar with everyone, but he fights back. I’m actually having fun. I don’t normally have fun when I’m sparring because I’m always in a bad mood. Always striking out.
But with Leif?
It’s different.
Oh, I’m still lashing out. But instead of feeling like crap while I’m doing it, I’m kind of laughing inside. Enjoying it.
Sure, I could tell him that Linda said she wouldn’t have given me the server position if I didn’t have any actual serving experience. That she may have tried to find me something else in the restaurant. But that would be too easy. It’s more fun to verbally spar with him.