*****
I catch the eight AM bus the next morning and arrive at Knox’s at eight twenty. I walk past the bar and sit on a lonely bench, wasting time before my nine o’clock shift. My stomach growls, but I ignore it. I don’t know when payday is, but I assume it will be a week before I see any of the money. I need to save what little I have for bus fare. Last night, I ate toast and an apple for dinner, and the same this morning. My fruit supply, however, is now gone, so options for dinner tonight will be limited. On the bright side, next week I would have money for whatever I need. I left my landlord a note asking if I could pay him then. I wouldn’t be able to pay it all off, but some of it at least. I hoped he found it in his heart to let me. I would pay every cent off of course, as soon as I was able to.
“Are you Clara?”
I turn to the masculine voice, instantly standing up. “I am.”
The man smiles easily and puts out his hand. “I’m Ryan.”
“Nice to meet you, Ryan. Thank you for the job,” I blurt out to the handsome man. Thank you for the job? Did I even definitely have the job?
Ryan’s lips kick up at the corners. “You’re welcome. Tag wouldn’t have it any other way. Come on. Let me show you the ropes.”
I follow him inside the restaurant section of the bar where twelve tables await customers.
“Have you ever waitressed before?” he asks, studying me.
“No,” I reply, licking my lips. “I worked reception at a hotel in my last job. But I’m a fast learner. You won’t be disappointed. I promise.”
I really needed this job. Was waitressing and bartending experience necessary? Tag hadn’t even asked my employment history. Was he about to send me home? I sure as hell hoped not.
Ryan’s brows furrow imperceptibly. “It’s okay. Experience was preferred but not necessary. Let me talk you through everything.”
He explains what he expects of me. It all seems easy enough, and I’m confident that I can do the job without any issues.
“You won’t be alone today,” he says, smiling gently. “There will be two other girls, so you don’t have to worry. There won’t be much pressure on you.”
What an awesome boss.
“I think I’ll do fine.”
“So how do you know Tag?” he asks after showing me how to use the cash register.
How do I know Tag? It’s simple—I don’t.
“We kind of ran into each other,” I reply. “I’ve only met him twice now.”
Ryan looks confused but doesn’t say anything else on the matter. The restaurant opens, and the other waitresses start their shifts. Sally, a blonde who tells me she is a thirty year old single mother, helps with any questions I have. Lyla, an older woman who appears to be in her forties and has a real motherly nature, checks in with me to see how I’m holding up. Great boss and wonderful staff. I really was lucky to get this job.
“Did you take your break?” Ryan asks as I bring some dirty plates and cups to the sink.
I shake my head side to side. “Not yet.” It was twelve o’clock. I was hungry, and working around all the delicious looking food wasn’t helping.
“You get half an hour. And grab something to eat. Staff get lunch every day for free. There are sandwiches, wraps, muffins, fruit, and that kind of thing.”
My stomach grumbles, and Ryan flashes me an amused smirk. “Hungry are we?”
I was starving.
Free lunch? Every day? I could kiss Tag.
“Thank you,” I reply in a low tone. He didn’t know how much this meant to me, but holy fuck. Something must have given how I was feeling away because his expression softens.
“It’s nothing. All employees get lunch. Now go and eat and relax for a while. And grab whatever you want to drink.”
I smile gratefully then head to the pre-made sandwich selection and choose one—chicken and salad. I grab a Coke and a muffin too.
Best. Job. Ever.
*****
“Thank you,” I say softly to Tag as he drives me home after my shift.
“You’re welcome,” he replies, glancing at me from the corner of his eye. “You having a hard time with something?”
I sigh and turn my head to look out the window. “Just a string of bad luck, is all.”
“Hmmmm. When’s the last time you had some fun?”
I tilt my head to the side, trying to think.
Tag chuckles. “If you have to think that long, it can’t be good. I have an idea.” He takes a U-turn and heads in the opposite direction of my apartment.
“Where are we going?” I ask in suspicion.
He flashes a grin, showing off his straight, white teeth. “Surprise.”
“I don’t do well with surprises.”
I can’t remember the last time I had a good one. The last time I was surprised was bad. Like, really bad.
“Are you a control freak?” he asks, grinning to himself. Why? I have no idea.
“I don’t think so.”
When I see us nearing a carnival, excitement fills me. Turning to Tag, I say, “Please tell me we’re going there!”
He chuckles at my outburst. “We are. Thought you could relax a little, have some fun.”
“Sounds amazing,” I reply wistfully until I realise I literally have no money. This was going to be awkward.
“I didn’t know we were going to be going anywhere,” I say, fiddling with the hem of my shirt. “I didn’t bring money.”