“Hi. Um, I’m looking for Dave.”
“That’s me.” He gives me a quick once-over. “You here to interview for the bartender position?”
I blink. “Oh, no. Well… I mean maybe?” I catch myself, then shake my head. “Actually, I’m here about the loft. I saw the posting on Marketplace that it was available.”
Something in him deflates, like I just hit a sore spot.
“Yeah,” he says, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “Loft’s open. Bartender spot too, if you’re serious about a job. We’re short-staffed, and I’m pretty sure the girl who was supposed to start this week ghosted us.”
I press my lips together and nod. I kind of feel like a ghost myself right now.
“Come on,” he says, already grabbing a set of keys. “I’ll show you the place.”
We head down a hallway through a side door leading outside. We take a narrow staircase along the back of the building towardwhat I assume is the loft upstairs. The noise of the bar and the cars driving past fades with every step.
He shoves the key in the lock and pushes the door open, holding his arm out for me to enter as he follows me inside.
I stop short. It’s nice. Nothing fancy, but it’s clean and cozy.
There’s a small open space with a couch, a coffee table, and a dresser. A little kitchenette is tucked against the wall, separating the room with a breakfast bar.
“It’s furnished,” Dave says, watching my reaction. “If you don’t want any of it, I can have it hauled out.”
I shake my head immediately. “No, honestly, this is perfect.”
Relief flashes across his face. “All you’d really need is a bed. I have a couple of stools for the bar too, if you want them.”
“I can manage the bed, but the stools would be great,” I say, already picturing myself fitting into the space.
We talk through the logistics—rent, utilities, and the lease. It’ll be tight for a bit, but doable.
“I’m new to town. If, uh, that job offer’s still on the table, I wouldn’t mind picking up some shifts. I could use the money, and it sounds like you need the help.”
He raises a brow, then smiles. “Yeah. It still stands.”
I nod, heart thudding. “Great.”
He offers to waive the security deposit and let me move in a few days early without charging me any extra if I can start right away. The relief hits hard, especially knowing I still need to figure out a bed.
I hand him cash to cover the rent, and he writes out a receipt before placing the keys in my palm.
When I step back outside, I don’t head straight for my car. I pause on the small deck instead, letting the moment settle, while staring down the alley that leads to the lot where I parked.
I found a place to live. I might’ve found a job.
I didn’t run.
As small as it might sound, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far.
One step at a time.
And for now, that’s enough.
Chapter Two
Brinley
It didn’t take too much to get settled.
