I laughed nervously. "I won't be working downstairs. I probably won't even see him again."
Kira still had no idea Dean had been in our apartment. While she could keep a secret, I couldn't guarantee she wouldn't accidentally reveal during an excited chat with Aiden that Romeo had visited our home.
In a pair of borrowed black shorts from Kira and a black button-up top I had worn once for a real estate award night, I left for my first shift at The Den.
I tried not to think about how late I would get home each night. Instead, I reminded myself of the positives; It was summer, and the nights were warm, which meant no teeth chattering while waiting for an Uber during the early hours of the morning. But this was supposed to be a job that replaced my current one. I had given myself more work to do instead.
The sun had set as I stepped into the club at 9:20 PM, pulling at the hem of my shorts as they rode up when I walked.
Like earlier today, it was practically empty inside. The only difference this time was the red and purple lights of the dance floor were on. They weren't moving but shining in bright beams in random directions on the slate floor. There was no music playing either.
My heart was in my throat as I made my way to the bar, where one of the staff members was wiping down the counter. She looked like she had been plucked from an 80s rock band. Her nails were painted bright blue, her hair styled in a platinum blonde mullet, and she was wearing black high-rise jeans, a black lace bralette, and lots of silver jewelry.
She looked up from what she was doing and smiled warmly, flicking the cloth over her shoulder. "An early customer. What can I get you?"
"Oh, no, I'm here for my first shift. I'm the new summer casual?" I tried to sound confident while I squeezed my left fingers with my right hand.
She snapped her fingers in realization. "You're Lily."
"Am I too early?"
"Hell no. Step around into my office," she said happily while ushering me to move around to the other side of the bar. "I'm Jen. I'm assuming Roxy gave you the tour?"
"She did. Sort of." In my nervous, jittery mood, I politely added, "Roxy seems like a professional person."
"Professional is one way to describe her," Jen chuckled as she moved to the staff room door. She was roughly the same size as me but wore platform boots that gave her height a boost. "That woman is hell in heels."
I followed her into the room, unsure how to respond. I took note of the massive room instead, from the large industrial dishwasher at the far end of the room and the office area to the right of the door. On our left was a wall of small lockers.
"Don't worry. With any luck, you’ll fly under her radar. Just don't call her too often. Actually, remind me to give you my number. That way, if you have any issues, you won't have to deal with her," Jen smiled as we reached the lockers. "Anyway, you can put your stuff in one of the empty lockers. Just don't use the last one. The door doesn't work once it's shut."
"Thanks," I smiled. Choosing a locker that was closer to the door and already open, I placed my bag inside it but put my phone in my pocket.
"And these are for you," Jen added as she handed me a small padlock and key for the locker. "Just remember to lock up after you've put your stuff away. It doesn't happen often, but we have had people break in."
"Right." I clipped the padlock on instantly.
We headed to the bar again, where Jen informed me I would mainly be wiping glasses and restocking the alcohol. "I would show you how to use the dishwasher, but honestly, that thing scares the shit out of me, and Xavier prefers to do it himself."
"Bitching about me again, Jen?"
A tall young man gracefully walked in to stand beside Jen. His black hair was long and curly with the edges shaved, looking like he had come from the same 80s rock band as Jen.
I was beginning to think I was a little underdressed for the job.
He leaned against the counter as he looked me up and down. A large handbag hung from his arm, and a leather jacket hung from his shoulders.
"You must be the fresh meat?" he smirked from behind a pair of red-tinted sunglasses.
"Lily, this is Xavier. He's an asshole," Jen said with a grin, gesturing to Xavier and backhanding his chest in the process.
Xavier stepped forward and lightly shook my hand. "En chante, mademoiselle."
I smiled. "It's nice to meet you."
Jen rolled her eyes and laughed. "He has a one-night stand with a French man and suddenly he's bilingual.”
Xavier waved off Jen's comment as he studied my face. "I think we've met before. Yeah, she was here on Saturday night. Practically screamed at me for some water for her and her friends."
