Page 16 of His Flash Mate
My brain was grateful when it was time to shut down and head home.I grabbed something from the cafe for both Mom and me and ate mine on my way home so I’d have more time to change before my shift at Lunar Pulse.
“That’s not a happy face,” Mom said, watching me touch up my makeup.
“It’s not an angry or sad face either,” I said.“It’s a ‘my brain is tired’ face and a ‘I can’t wait to mix drinks’ face.”
“Do you really like working at your uncle's club?”she asked.
“I do.It’s fun and energetic, which I need after a full eight hours sitting and staring at a computer screen.”
Mom gave me a concerned look.“Honey, if you’re feeling like this now, maybe you’re not following the right career path.”
Dressed in more casual club-style clothes for tonight’s shift, I sat next to her.“It’s not the career; it’s the monotony of trying to shove six months of experience into my head in a short time.Do you know what my coworkersandmy boss said first thing this morning?If I were there to chase after the CEO, I should just quit.”
“Ah…” Mom said knowingly.“So now you need to prove to them that you’re a serious worker.”
“Exactly.Do you know how exhausting proving someone wrong is?”
She laughed and hugged me.“Go have fun then.There’s nothing to prove at your uncle’s.”
“Oh, there still is, but it’s less stressful proof.I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Actually, I’m pulling a double tomorrow.I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
My mom never shied away from hard work.She was my inspiration and why I saw no problem with working two jobs.So I told her to remember to eat and headed out the door to finish my workday.
It was weird showing up after the club was already open.But it presented a bit more opportunity to grab some nice drink shots with blurry people to post on the club’s socials.I didn’t spend as much time on the posts as I usually did because I was actually needed at the bar right away for a change.
Midway through my shift, I found Konni at his usual stool, nursing a drink.
“Busy tonight,” he said.
“Just the way I like it,” I said.“Do you need another one?”
“Not yet.How’s the new job?”
“Good.I’m sensing some undercurrent office drama, but I’m not ‘in the know’ yet.”
“If it’s something you can share, let me know once you know.It never hurts to be informed.”
I nodded, understanding what he meant.Business could be cutthroat.The more a person knew about the inner workings of downtown businesses, the more the person could avoid getting stepped on.
“Same.If there’s anything you know about Steele Corporation or Wulf Enterprises, let me know.”
Someone waved for my attention as he nodded, and I left him to keep making drinks.When the crowd died down an hour later, he was already gone.
“Were you always this dramatic?”Miranda asked, smirking at me from across the table.
“Calling you out for ghosting me for the last three days isn’t being dramatic; it’s holding you accountable.You love clubs and said Lunar smelled decent.Where have you been?”
She held up this season’s “it” handbag.“Earning this handsome guy.”
“Since when is a handbag a guy?”
“I only sleep with men, so he’s a guy.”
I laughed mid-sip and nearly sprayed her “man.”The look of horror she shot me sent me over the edge.Everyone in the cafe turned to look at me as I laughed until I had to stop or suffocate.Miranda watched me, deadpan, as I wiped the tears from my face.
“Are you done?”she asked.
