“I said make sure each label is turned toward the front.”
I’m loading more beer into the glass beer fridge, as Luke calls it. He’s a tad particular about the way the bottles need to line up. Anal retentive is probably the term I’d use to describe Luke’s habits. No worries. Robbi gave me a heads-up, so I was ready for it. I quickly turn the labels forward.
“If you’re busy and you need to grab a beer fast, you’ll want to be able to see the label,” he explains.
“Makes perfect sense.” And it does. Luke is going back over some of the basic things that he showed me last Sunday. He really is anal retentive.
“Now, as you’re working, you need to be cleaning as you go. Wipe down the bar with this.” He holds up a yellow cloth. “This is only for the bar top.”
I nod. Iknow.
Holding up a blue cloth, Luke says, “This is for the stainless top here.” He points down to the part of the counter customers can’t really see. “Keep the dirty dishes to a minimum. Run glasses back to the kitchen as soon as this bin is full.” He lifts a square plastic tray meant to put glassware through the dishwasher. “When you take it back, pick up an empty tray and bring it back here.”
“Okay.” I’m so tempted to roll my eyes because he’s repeating the same stuff we covered last week, but he’s not in a joking mood. I snort and his head snaps back to me. “Sorry.”
He keeps going. Repetition is good, right? “A good chunk of your job is to make sure it runs smoothly. Having glasses piled up back here makes it harder to be efficient.”
I can see that too.
Just then, a woman approaches the bar. She’s tall, blonde, and focused solely on Luke. I smile but say nothing. “What can I get ya?” he asks.
“Gin and tonic, please.” The woman smiles as she leans against the bar giving both Luke and me a glimpse of her cleavage. I know what she’s doing. She’s trying to get Luke’s attention, and I think it’s working.
“Quinn, grab a rocks glass.”
Yay, I finally get to mix a drink. Last Sunday was all about paperwork, using the computer, and the stuff he just went over again. Since I now know what a rocks glass is—the short one—I pick one up and wait for my next order from the bossy boss.
He doesn’t disappoint. “Fill it with ice.”
I move to the ice machine. Using the glass, I scoop up enough ice to fill it.
“No!” Luke shouts. “Jesus.”
I jump and nearly drop the glass.
“What?” I squeak.
“Do. Not.Ever. Use the fucking glass as a scoop.”
I nod but feel my eyes start to burn. I’m not used to someone shouting at me. But I will not cry.
Stepping closer, he looks down at me. No longer sounding angry, Luke says, “If the glass breaks while you’re scooping out the ice, we’ll have to empty the entire icemaker, clean it out, and start over. We can’t have glass in the ice.”
I nod again, doing my damn best to hold it together. “Sorry.” My voice cracks.
In a softer voice, Luke adds, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you, Quinn. You’re doing a great job. I’m used to working with idiots. I know you’ll never do that again.”
I slowly shake my head back and forth. “I-I won’t. I swear.”
“Good.” He turns and smiles at the blonde woman. “Now, let’s make this lovely lady a drink.”
As I make the drink, the two of them flirt. It’s sort of annoying, to be honest. By the time I’ve placed a lime wedge on the glass, he’s got her number, and I think there was a promise of getting together later. But it’s none of my business.
I worked until five, the point in time when Cy’s gets busy on Sundays. Luke doesn’t think I’m ready for prime time yet, and I agree, but I’m proud of myself. I did well. I drew beer without much head—that’s the foam at the top of the glass, you dirty-minded minx. I made several gin and tonics, as well as a whiskey sour. Luke gave me a chin lift as I left, which is a good sign, I think. Another good sign, I’m going to be working with Chris several days after school. That tells me Luke trusts me to be here when he’s not. Besides, Cy’s isn’t very busy in the later afternoons, so I should be able to gain more confidence and speed. I’d just be in the way right now.
Chapter Sixteen
On my way to my scooter, I check my phone for the first time tonight because personal phones aren’t allowed when we’re working. Luke’s words. And seeing how he feels about ice, I don’t want to be on the receiving end of his wrath again. Ever.
