She remained near the door and crossed her arms over her chest. “Fine. I’m here. What did you want to talk to me about?”
“Do you like working here?” he asked, resuming his position of leaning on his desk. He would have sat in his chair but there was a stack of paper on that, too.
She scowled at him but didn’t answer.
“Nova, do you like working here?” he repeated.
“Are you playing games with me?” she asked, still scowling.
“No, it’s a serious question. I’d really like to know.”
“Then, yes, I like working here. Actually, I love it.”
Torin nodded. “That’s good,” he said.
“Why are you asking me that?” she asked.
“Because Addie was right. You’re very good at your job and you don’t shy away from helping with duties that aren’t in your job description. According to Addie, you’ve been like this since you started working here.”
Nova nodded. “When I take a job, I do it to the best of my abilities.’
Torin nodded. “Well, I’m satisfied with what I’ve seen from you tonight. As far as I’m concerned, if you continue this way, your probation period is over.”
Her shoulders visibly relaxed and Torin realized he hadn’t even noticed how tense she was. She wasn’t lying when she said she liked working at his restaurant or that she wanted this job.
For some reason, that pleased him a great deal.
“That’s good,” she murmured.
In that moment, he decided to do something he normally wouldn’t—he was going to take a risk that he hadn’t spent days or weeks analyzing.
“Once I feel like you’ve learned all you can, I’m going to have Addie train you for the assistant manager position and see if you’re a good fit for that.”
Her eyes brightened. “Really?”
“Yes, really.”
Nova smiled at him, bright and wide, and Torin could almost swear he saw several light blue orbs dancing around her head. “I’d like that.”
“Good,” he said. He paused. “Don’t make me regret trusting you.”
The sparkle in her eyes faded a bit and her jaw grew tight.
“I realize you think I’m flighty, but I’m not careless with people. I wouldn’t do anything to make you regret giving me a shot.”
Torin wasn’t sure he believed her completely, but he nodded because it wasn’t worth arguing about it.
“I’m going to go help Addie,” she said, turning toward the door.
Without waiting for a response from him, she opened the door and left his office.
Torin straightened, stretching out the kink in his lower back, and followed her out.
Before he made it back to the kitchen, Addie appeared in the short hall.
“Hey, boss. There’s something else I have to tell you.” Her eyes were bright with amusement, but she was wringing her hands as though she were anxious about something.
“You hired my last ex-girlfriend to replace Nova as the hostess when she’s promoted to assistant manager?” he asked.
