Nikki waggled her phone in front of me again, “It’s not a handout, Mae, it’s just an opportunity.” Then, she told me how much per hour and how many hours a week to expect. I had to admit to myself, I didn’t have any other choices lined up. Reluctantly, I took her phone and put my information in then sent myself a text. A simple fern emoji.
“Alright,” Nikki said, “send me your resume and schedule conflicts, and I’ll let you know when to come in for your trial shift.” Then, she turned and walked away.
I was electrified.
Pro: A potential job.
Con: Nikki Thomas?
Pro: Stability! Yay!
Con: I couldn’t shake the feeling of being a charity case, of not having earned the opportunity
Pro: I had the chance to earn my place and keep it.
Con: Nikki. Fucking. Thomas.
Chapter Five
Nikki
The timing worked out perfectly timed for Maeda to start as Selena was taking off for Yale. The staffing issue had weighed on me as I prepared for community day, and I was debating on letting the rumor mill at the event spread the word about an opening.
Then, I saw Maeda.
It was like I was transported back in time to that night when everything between us melted away like cotton candy. It had been years since I had last seen her before she ran off and got married to that guy. When I had heard, it crushed me, but Ibelieved that if I kept putting good energy and good deeds out into the universe, things would work out for me. I kept working hard at Lucky Lanes, to become the owner was my dream. I had let any thoughts of Maeda drift to the back of my mind.
But then, there she was, back in Pine Grove. I saw her rush into the bathroom, and I wanted to immediately check on her. I hadn’t really believed my eyes. When I finished unloading and got to the restroom, I hadn’t expected an audience. It threw me off, and I didn’t know what to do. I had rushed to her without a plan and felt like an idiot.
When I handed her some pasta, I was trying to find the right thing to say, but the moment passed too quickly. I was thrown, and it was disorienting. All I knew was I wanted to talk to her. How could I talk to her? What would I say?
When Gene proposed Maeda working at Lucky Lanes, it solved both my issues at once. My staffing issue would be fixed, at least for now. Rationally, there was a chance she would be a bad fit for the business, but I doubted that, given her work ethic when we were younger. Meanwhile, I would get to know her again. Get to know her now, and she would get to know me again, too. Maybe we could be friends again.
I hadn’t realized how much I missed her.
I shook the sentimentality out of my mind. This was business, and that was the priority. I needed an employee, and she needed a job. Anything more than that would not only be inappropriate but selfish.
Although, I couldn’t help but notice the absence of a wedding ring on Maeda’s left hand.
I shook my head. It was Monday afternoon, and I was double-checking the pinsetter on Lane 4, as it failed to sweep the pins during an earlier game. The fix was easy enough. The infrared lens sensor had a bit of dust on it. When I walked back out to the lobby, I saw Maeda.
She was in a pair of blue and white checkered Vans with light wash high-waisted skinny jeans. Those pants hugged every curve of her ass and hips. Every. Curve. I wanted to take a bite. She was wearing a t-shirt that was a size or two too big for her but tied in front, highlighting her hourglass shape. Her hair was twisted back in two French braids. Makeup was minimal, some mascara and a touch of highlight on her cheekbones.
“Welcome, welcome,” I greeted her, my best impression of being a normal person. Clearly, I shouldn’t go into acting.
Maeda smiled in response. A polite smile, performative social cues rather than a genuine “happy to see you” kind of smile. “Good afternoon,” she said, “Did you get my resume? I found the business email online and sent it in.”
I nodded. “Yeah, thanks for sending that ahead. Let’s head up to the office to chat.” The tiny office felt even smaller with both of us in there. My desk was against a wall, so she had to sit next to me instead of across. I kicked myself for coming to the office, instead of using some of the diner tables. That would have been more professional, but I didn’t have her resume printed. I needed to look at it. We were here, I had to commit.
It’s nothing, I reminded myself.
“Okay.” I opened her email on the computer where we could both see it.
“I know I have a big gap,” she started, “I was a stay-at-home mom for those years.” That made me pause.A mom?“But, now, I’m divorced, so I have been looking for work.”
I wished I could look her square on. Instead, I was focused on contorting my body to give her space. We were sitting closer than airplane seats.
“What is your career goal?” I asked her.
