Page 16 of Get to You
Molly sets a large tea tray on the table and begins pointing out which drinks are which. I taste two and find them agreeable. Jude and Beau split the other six.
"I don't really know what they're supposed to taste like, but they were all good." Beau offers.
"Thank you," Molly says sounding pleased.
"You did great. We have a few more applicants to see, but when we make the final decision, I'll let you know."
She smiles and gives Jude a one-armed hug, "Great! Hope to hear from you soon."
Jude has a seat in the chair Molly was in originally.
"So, what'd you think?" I ask him.
"She's good. My only concern is how many jobs she's had in the past year. She said it's usually lack of hours or money that keeps her looking for something more. I don't think she’d have that problem here. Jess could use help at lunch, and I could use an extra pair of hands with the afterwork rush. It would free us up a bit if we need time off."
I nod my acceptance, "All right, but I have to ask are you planning on leaving?"
Jude's face scrunches up, "No, what gave you that idea?"
"Just overthinking I guess." I smile knowing I'm still going to offer him stakes in the drink counter. "I'm glad. You want to come in a little earlier on Monday?” he raises a brow at this, “I have a proposal for you."
His eyes sparkle, "Sammy are you propositioning me?" He acts scandalized.
"I sure am," I say low and breathless.
We both start hooting. Beau is sitting watching us with a frown.
"Anyway, I'm fine with whoever you decide on. I know the other two applications we've gotten don't have much barista experience."
He nods, "Yeah, I'm pretty sure Molly's the way to go, but do you mind staying and seeing the other two?"
"I don't have anything else going on, but no more drinks for me. I’m starting to get jittery. Give them to the regulars to get their opinion."
"No problem." He looks at the large grandfather clock by the first shelf of books, "The next one should be here in about ten minutes, so I'm gonna run downstairs and grab some supplies." He doesn't wait for a reply, before standing and walking away.
"Have you known him long?" I turn to face Beau again
"He's been here for about four years I think."
"You guys seem to have a great friendship," he sounds wistful.
"I don't have many friends, but I count him among the best." I answer honestly "George, the older gentleman that was here when you came to the book club, has been here the longest, even before me. I don't know what I'll do when he finally retires." I shake my head slowly, "I'm lucky he loves this old place almost as much as I do."
He smiles fondly, his mouth framed by the shadows created by his hat. I find myself staring at his lips way too often because of it.
"What about your other employees? Are they your friends too?"
"For the most part. Anna, the woman from earlier, she's been here a little over a year. I know she’s not permanent because she works here for something to do. She’s young, and wants to find a husband, then she'll move on." Beau swallows audibly. I think he's thinking about how she has her sights set on him. I chuckle at his expense. "Jess," I point to her, "I hope she stays for a while. She’s taking night classes right now. I know when she's finished she might need to do something new; she’s going for accounting. So I plan on needing a bookkeeper who can freelance, by the time she's finished with school." I grin and wave at Jess. She tilts her head and waves back looking bemused.
"How about you? Have lots of friends? People you work with maybe?" Now that I've seen his full face a few times, I can peer past the shadows and make out a few of his features.
He looks kinda sad when he answers very vaguely, "A few." I'm learning the subtle nuances of his voice, and I hear the lie. I don't know if has more friends than he's letting on or he has less. If I had to guess, I'd go with the latter. Why would this man, who women seem to love as much as I love white chocolate, seem so lonely? "I hope I'm making a new one now," he says quietly, my faces flushes in response, and I fidget in my seat.
"I'd like to be your friend," I say honestly. It feels strange to just stare at him after that statement, so I look over his shoulder.
Anna is leading a young guy over to Beau and me. She slinks up, like her hips have been freshly oiled and stops right in front of me. She’s blocking Beau from my view and I'm sure giving him a perfect view of her skinny butt---wait did I just think that about Anna? I'm not being very kind, but I’m frustrated by the interruption and her antics.
She introduces an emo-looking guy as Kevin and steps back, seeming to have forgotten she’s standing in front of Beau. She plops down into his lap as she falls backward.
