“Oh.” Well, there goes my plans for getting him to help me. He’ll be at the bar before I get off.
“Why, what do you need?”
“Help getting a bed if I can find one.”
“I’m guessing you go in around lunch.” I nod and he continues. “Tell, you what. How about I get cleaned up and we can go to the store. I know a few places that have the bed and frame for crazy cheap. If we don’t have time to set it up before you leave for work, I can do it if you tell me where you want it.”
“I’m game for that.” At this point I’ll do anything because I don’t want to sleep on an air mattress if I don’t have to. They aren’t comfortable at all. “I also need to jump in the shower.”
“Meet back in here in thirty minutes?”
I calculate the time it’ll take me and nod. “Meet you then. Thank you.”
“No worries.” He stands and holds his hand out to help me up. “What are friends for?”
He’s right. I’ve spent so long keeping people at an arm’s length, other than Delilah, that I forgot what it’s like to have people you can count on.
It’s definitely a Monday, and every one of the patrons coming into the bar feels the same way it seems. Almost all the tables in the dining area are full and people have moved over into the area with stage for more room even though there isn’t live music tonight. We close at midnight tonight, and I can’t help but wonder if I’ll be asked to stay to help out. It’s not a huge deal, but I’m anxious to get home and see my new bed.
We didn’t have time to set it up, but Eric assured me he’d get it done before he comes in. Which should be any minute. Someone texted me earlier, but I’ve been running around so much I haven’t had time to check who it was. Only one hour. That’s all I have to last before going home.
I’m walking back to the host stand when Carlos motions me over. He’s about to leave for the day. Something about extra practice for Caroline’s son. He really has become the all-around family man. I approach the bar to see what it is. Please don’t be a request to stay later. Aside from the bed, I need to get some sort of sleep tonight.
“Whatcha need, Boss Man?”
He rolls his eyes. “I really wish you wouldn’t call me that.”
“But it’s what you are, and I think it fits.”
“Fine, I’ll let it slide.” He waves away the annoyance. “You better be happy you’re my favorite.”
Well, I’m glad to know I’m his favorite even though I already knew that. A crowd of people come through the door. Shit. “But for real, what did you need?”
He glances toward the door and winces, knowing he’s causing a backup of service. “I left a list of bartending schools on the desk in the office. Most of them take place in the evenings and some on the weekends. Decide which one you want to go to, and we’ll send over the payment and get it set up.”
The customers at the door are getting antsy. I need to get to them before they decide they want to go somewhere else. “I’ll look it over when I get off.”
He looks like he wants to make another request. No doubt wondering if I can work a bit later, but I head toward my station before he can. “Welcome to Out of the Ashes. How many are in your party?”
I glance behind me to see if there are any long tables to put them at in the dining area. They have six people in their group. Luckily there’s another group leaving. I wave down one of the bussers. He gets to work cleaning the table, and turn back to the party patiently waiting. “It’ll be just a few moments.”
The man in front nods his acceptance and I count down the minutes until I can leave. Once the table is cleared, I show the group to their seats and let them know someone will be by to take their order. Devin is standing at the stand when I return. “Hey.”
“Hey back.” He looks me over. “You look stressed.”
Damn. I wonder how rough I actually look if it’s noticeable. “It’s been…a long day.”
“When do you get off?”
I glance at the clock over the bar. “In about thirty minutes.”
“Cool.” He glances behind him to make sure he isn’t holding up a line. “We get food and hang out after you get off if it’ll help.”
“That would be great.” I’m making sure my area is cleaned up before Delilah comes in to relieve me. “Crap. Actually, I have to run to the store. Eric helped me pick up a bed before I came in, and I forgot to get sheets.”
His entire body stiffens and I wonder what I did to upset him. “I can get you some and meet you at your place.”
“Really?” He truly is the best. “It’s a queen size. I can bring us some wings for dinner. If that’s okay with you.”
