Slouching back, I glare at him. He has a point, but I’ll be damned if I admit it. “We need to hire someone. Stat. I can’t look through the social media stuff anymore. I’m about to shut it down. Twenty people—that’s how many I’ve blocked in the last day alone. Some people shouldn’t have the internet.”
I sigh and glance at the clock.
Adrian was supposed to be here twenty minutes ago. I guess we won’t have to worry about him.
Snatching the résumé from Rhett, I crumble it up and toss it in the garbage can.
“Hey! What’d you do that for? He could have been a good fit,” Rhett protests.
“Yeah. He’d be great if he actually showed up.” I point at the clock. “He was due over twenty minutes ago.”
“Fuck, why can’t people be on time? Do you have any other interviews scheduled for today?”
“No.” I shake my head and stand up to stretch. I’ve been sitting in this stupid chair for over an hour, going over payroll and fielding emails. My ass is numb in places I didn’t think it could be. “I guess we’ll have to let the ad go a bit longer.” I turn to walk out of the office, Rhett hot on my heels. I need fresh air.
“You would think people would want to work in a tattoo shop. We’re fucking cool.” He shakes his head in mock dismay.
Laughing at Rhett, I grab a bottle of water from our reception area. It’s technically for clients, but we’re slow right now. Kash has an appointment in an hour, but I’m close to done for the day.
“Dunno what to tell you.”
Maybe I can see if Emma wants to hang out and answer the phone for us. She claims she’s bored most days and needs a hobby. I’d have to kill someone if she ended up seeing some type of dick pic, though.
“Hi, I saw your sign in the window. Are you still looking for help? It’s not tattooing, is it? Because I can’t draw for shit,” says a quiet, feminine voice.
A jolt of recognition goes through me, and I spin around to find the young woman from the coffee shop—Cora—standing in the lobby.
“Well, hello there,” Rhett practically purrs. “We are indeed still hiring, and don’t you worry your pretty head. No tattooing involved.”
“What are you doing here?” My question comes out harsher than I intended, but I can’t take it back now.
A mass of dark hair whips in my direction, followed by blue eyes that have haunted my thoughts more than I’d care to admit. I was frustrated when she took off, and we couldn’t talk more. It looks like fate is giving me another chance.
“I saw the sign in your window.” She points behind her. “And I thought I’d see if you’re still hiring.”
“We need someone to schedule appointments, run the social media pages, and answer the phones. Do you have experience doing that?” Rhett asks while giving me a ‘What the fuck?’look.
I avoid his gaze. My eyes are locked on her.
Glancing up at Rhett, Cora nods. “Yeah. I used to do scheduling at my dad’s garage and answer the phones. It’s not rocket science.”
“Are you available on evenings and weekends?” He continues the makeshift interview in the middle of the reception area, and I almost pray a customer walks in.
I don’t want her working here. She wouldn’t be able to handle some of the people who come in here, and I have this feeling I’ll lose my shit if someone hits on her. I don’t understand why, but the idea alone makes my blood boil.
“I am, just not mornings on Saturdays, but I can be free for some evenings. I already work a day-shift job,’’ she explains. “But it’s a set schedule. If you need someone more flexible, I understand.”
“You won’t work.”
“Why the fuck not?” Rhett butts in with a look of confusion on his face.
“She’s not available enough.” I make up the first excuse I can think of. She might be available, but not for any of these assholes.
I also want to fill all her time.
“She has a set schedule, and we don’t need her every night,” Rhett argues. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Look, if my other job is an issue, it’s fine.” Her eyes flick to me.
