He didn’t respond immediately, so I passed the time by opening up all four payroll pdfs on the shop’s laptop and updating Cruz’s sheet first.
I had only just started working on Daniel’s, though, when my phone lit up with a new text from Myles.
Beauty:You were right; Mr. Ribeiro caught me. In the guest bathroom, no less.
I chuckled.
Me:I warned you, didn’t I?
Me:Also, what the hell were you doing with your phone out in the guest bathroom?
Beauty:I know this looks scandalous…
I laughed.
Me:It so does.
Beauty:You’re making it sound like it is.
Me:Well, then tell me what IS it?
Beauty:My phone was already in my hand when I went into the bathroom. I needed to pee, and I also had to text you. I was only keeping my priorities in check, but now I’m pretty sure your grandfather thinks I was sending you nudes. Or worse, that I was sending nudes to someone else•´ ? ,•`
I was tearing up with how much I was laughing.
Me:As if your reputation with him isn’t strained enough already.
Beauty:I don’t know what to do. I saw my life flash before my eyes when he found me.
Me:You brought this on yourself.
Beauty:You’re supposed to be on MY side.
Me:But I like my head on my shoulders:’)
Beauty:Traitor.
“Yo, boss.”
I looked up from my phone, and saw Simran standing on the other side of the counter.
“The inventory guy just texted me,” she said. “He’s on the way here. I’ve printed the invoice already, so I just need your signature.”
I grabbed a pen from the second drawer and signed the invoice, and after I handed it back to her, I signed,Take Cruz with you.
She nodded, then walked over to the bakery before yelling, “Cruz, get your meaty ass out here! I need your help with inventory.”
A second later, a sprinkled-with-flour Cruz stepped out of the kitchen and scowled at Simran.
She ignored his expression, of course, and turned her back to him before marching out the shop’s back door.
Cruz huffed, dusted himself a little, and followed her out to the alley.
We had a room just above the shop for storing our monthly inventory. Usually, it was Simran who kept track of everything, but occasionally, Cruz liked to help her just so he could stay up-to-date with the quantity of stuff we ordered, and its manufacture + expiration dates.
The landline on Simran’s counter went off, startling me a little.
Remi stepped away from his counter to receive the call, just as the shop’s door opened and a group of our regular customers walked in.
