Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 121576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
“You didn’t mention anything about marketing, and I have a lot of experience in that. I’d like to advertise a little better than what we’re already doing. I think it’ll be received well. People love coming here, but word of mouth only does so much.”
“What are you thinking?”
“Billboards. We at least need one off Coastal Highway. It’s shocking we don’t have one already. People will see it when they’re driving to the beach.” She tapped her chin, thinking. “We definitely need a Facebook page. I can handle that. Oh, and I could see if we could partner up with Wax Surf Shop. I’m sure Jamie won’t mind. You know him, right? We’re engaged.” She quickly flashed the giant rock on her finger. “He’s one of the owners. Along with Syd’s guy. Anyway, they could have coupons at the register for free appetizers or something. We could put their stickers on the surfboards out front as a trade-off.”
I thought on her ideas, specifically the last one.
“Syd’s guy, as in Jenna’s brother?” I asked.
It would take me a lifetime to repay Jenna for everything she was doing for me. This could be a good place to start. She spoke about her brother a lot. I knew they were close. Anything I did for him, she’d most likely appreciate as well.
A slow smile twisted across Tori’s mouth. “Yep, that’s him. So, you know, it’ll be nice building up their business too.”
“I agree.”
“Great!” Tori bounced on her toes and clapped. She was beaming at me now. “When do you want me to start? Today?”
I laughed. “Uh—”
“Actually, let me just…” Tori slipped her phone out of her apron. Her thumb moved vigorously over the screen. “If Lauren can come in and cover for me, I can start right now. I could even close for you tonight. You’ve been here all day and I just got here.” She lifted her gaze from the screen to peer around the room. “Mm. Should we get another desk? I guess we could share the one. We both won’t need to be here at the same time. The whole point of you hiring someone is to cut your hours back, right?”
I stared at her, blinking.
“What? I’m excited.”
“I can tell,” I said, chuckling softly. I sat forward, smoothing my tie, and planted my elbows on the desk. “Should we talk salary first before you start decorating?”
“I’m good with the amount advertised.” She smiled as her phone beeped, then looked down to read the text, sharing, “Lauren is available,” while she typed a quick response.
“I guess you can have her come in, then.”
“Already done.” Tori slipped her phone away and grinned at me.
I shook my head, smiling. This is fucking nuts. Leave it to Tori to run this interview and basically hire herself.
“All right, just let me know when she gets here. You’ll need to fill out a few forms for payroll. I’ll get them ready for you.” I opened the desk drawer with the file folders and retrieved the one for new hires. “You’ll also need to hire your replacement.”
“Oh, I know just the person for the job. My future sister in-law is moving here. She’ll be looking for work.”
“Great. Get her in.”
“Awesome. Thanks, Nate.”
“No, thank you.” I met her eyes again. “It’ll be nice to get out of here tonight before ten.”
Her mouth lifted in the corner. “How’s everything going with Jenna, by the way?”
“Great. She’s incredible.”
I immediately began picking apart my wording as soon as it left my mouth—it somehow felt like an understatement. What is greater than “incredible”? “Saintly” might work. I watched Tori’s smile brighten knowingly as I tried thinking of a more suitable word.
“What?”
“Nothing.” She backed away slowly. “She is incredible, isn’t she?”
“That’s what I said.”
“She’s really pretty too.”
I cleared my throat and looked down, picking up my pencil and sliding the food order in front of me again.
Don’t respond, Nathan. Just act like you didn’t hear that.
“Thank you, Tori. You can go now.”
Tori’s quiet laughter followed her as she stepped out of the office.
The song changed overhead—another Top 40 nightmare. Some tool sang about loving the shape of a woman.
“Hey, Tori?”
“Yes?” Just her head popped around the doorframe. She was still smiling.
I pointed at the mounted speaker on the wall. “Pick another station.”
* * *
It was just after seven when I left work that night. I couldn’t remember the last time I got off while it was still daylight out. Even before Sadie died, I worked long hours. I typically always closed. It felt strange leaving Whitecaps when I did and even stranger pulling into my driveway without the use of headlights. But I couldn’t deny it, it felt good too.
I wanted to be here.
I pushed the front door open and stepped inside the house, expecting to hear the commotion I was becoming familiar with—and wishing for when I didn’t have it. Instead, the house was quiet.