“Yes, here.” I nodded. “Casual, probably just for the rest of the holiday period, maybe an afternoon here or there in the new year. You won’t need to open or close the store for me, or anything like that, but it’s been busy and I have things I need to do, and I rely on Ro for far too much. And you’ve been a great help at the center, Gunter speaks so highly of you, and you look after my boys?—”
“Yes,” she cried. “Yes, I would love that! I leave for art college in Billings in the new year. So I need some money, and the experience, of course.”
“Perfect!” I clapped my hands together. “I will get some paperwork and forms for you to fill out.”
She did a happy, excited little buzzy dance. She was so cute. “Yay!”
“Okay, lemme show you how the point-of-sale system works...”
Two hours later, she’d filled out all the paperwork, served some customers, restocked the shelves, and straightened and tidied everything, and had a pile of flyers for our first book club meeting in her hand, ready to be mailed out.
She was a gem, and I wish I’d thought of asking her if she wanted a job sooner.
Like I wish I’d thought of a lot of things sooner.
I took out my phone and shot Ro a text.
I just gave Evie a job over the holidays, and she’s crushing it
That’s great news
Then it got the better of me . . .
Okay so you’re going to tell me everything about your crush on Toni because watching you blush like a schoolgirl has been burned into my brain
Her reply made me roll my eyes.
I know not to which you’re referring, kind sir
I will have details, all of them, young lady
I didn’t blush like a schoolgirl by the way
Iscoffed at that.
Do I need to remind you that I have camera footage in the store?
Winter Theodore Atkins
I grimaced at my phone, because getting full-named was never good.
I need to ask a favor
Ask away
I want to ask Deacon if he has any free time this week and I’ll need you to look after the store for me. That okay?
Of course. Doing anything exciting?
I’ve thought of the perfect gift idea
Oooh, spill the details
You first
Winter
Theodore
