I chuckled, shaking my head. “We’ve only been dating for a few days. It’s been serious for weeks though, you know? I was falling for him the whole time.”
“Yeah,” Corey said. “I can see that.”
“Anyway, my point is, he’s not going anywhere, and if this job doesn’t work out…”
“I get it,” he said. “I won’t take it. I don’t want to mess up your relationship.”
“No, I want you to take it if that’s what you want. Just don’t fuck it up, Corey. Don’t blow off work if Rachel calls, wanting something. Don’t walk out because you’re bored in two weeks. If you want this job, you need to take it seriously.”
“I will. I promise.”
“Okay, then. I’ll talk to Jamie. No promises he can even get you a position.”
“I don’t need promises,” Corey said. “I just need your support.” He chewed his bottom lip. “I know I haven’t always made it easy to believe in me.”
“I believe you can get your shit together, man.” I put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “You just haven’t been ready.”
“Well, I’m ready now,” he said. “But you’ve got to give me a chance to do it.”
“Okay, fair.”
“I know I’ve relied on you too much,” Corey said. “Like asking you to come here, to live with me, because I couldn’t swing the rent on my own. But I want to do better.”
“You have been doing better.”
He hadn’t missed a day of work at The Diner since starting, and he hadn’t bailed on the last two family meals for Rachel either. Maybe my baby brother was starting to finally grow up.
“So we’recool?” Corey asked.
“Yeah, man. We’re always cool.”
“Good. Get out there before Jamie dumps your ass for ignoring him.”
I laughed. “Good point. He’s way out of my league.”
Corey grinned. “Nah. I think you two are perfect for each other.”
CHAPTER 26
Jamie
“Corey, be careful!”I said, coming up behind to see him chopping up a carrot, the blade moving a millimeter away from the tip of his index finger. “Hank will never forgive me if you lose a finger in your first week.”
Corey paused. “What?”
I reached around him to fold his fingers in. “Keep your fingers curled in, okay? You’ll have more stability, and you can work faster without risking cuts.”
“Okay.” He licked his lips. “Sorry. I’m trying.”
“You’re doing great, Corey.” I smiled reassuringly. “Everyone has to learn as they go.”
He nodded. “Okay. I just don’t want to mess anything up.”
Corey had a lot to learn about food prep. He wasn’t a natural, but he was eager, and Marissa had been stressed enough about staffing to agree to training him if I took the lead.
I would have done it even if he wasn’t Hank’s brother,because I didn’t want Marissa to continue to rely on me. I’d love for someone more qualified to come along, but in a small town like Granville, you worked with the resources you had.
Corey was a quick study. He continued chopping, fingers curled just so, and his speed and accuracy immediately picked up. Good. Maybe the kid would have a future in this business after all.
