Page 88 of Player For Hire
My stomach dropped. I nodded. “Okay. I understand.”
No, I really didn’t. I was damn good at my job. I was about to open my mouth and state my case when he held up a finger.
“I want you to run this place.”
“What?”
Not what I’d expected. At all.
“This place is going to be pretty unique. And it’s going to take some time to get the whole social media machine going for it. But I need a young guy in here. Doesn’t hurt that you’re hot as fuck.”
My eyes widened.
“Don’t worry, I’m not hitting on you, kid. I just know aesthetics. And you have them. I could do it, but I think this crowd will definitely run to the young and slick set. I need a good bartender with stamina. You know how to make drinks and how to talk to customers. This place is made for you.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“We’ll write up your salary requirements and make a contract. Getting a new business off the ground isn’t for the weak. And hell, it’s niche as fuck so it may go under in a year. I really don’t know. But I think you’d be good at this, Colder.” He held out his hand. “What do you say?”
I shook his hand. “I say yes.”
“That’s what I’m talking about.” Cal grinned. “Guess that means you’re going to want to talk to your girl.”
“It’s one of the reasons why I want to…be more.”
“For a girl?” His eyebrow arched.
“Nah, she was just the catalyst.” I grinned. “But yeah, some of it is because of her.”
“Naomi is a great lady. Hope she’s ready for you to be working your ass off. Can you not say anything about it just yet?”
I frowned.
“I don’t want it to get out and I know how The Heights can be. Gossip central.”
I laughed. “Yeah, I guess that’s true. It’ll be worth it.”
Cal nodded. “I think you’re right. We’ll figure out the logistics, but I wanted to feel you out before I got too much further into this. I’ll want your input on hiring and menu items. Better get your research hat on.”
“Handily, I have a girlfriend who’s really good at that. I’ll just tell her we’re looking to do some speakeasy night menus at the bar.”
Cal nodded. “That works for me.”
It was the first time I’d actually said girlfriend out loud. And it was true. I didn’t want anyone other than Naomi in my life.
Now I just had to prove it to her.
CHAPTER 25
NAOMI
“Stop looking at your phone.”
I tossed my phone down beside me on the couch. “He’s not usually this late on a Monday.”
Iona rolled her eyes. “Keeping tabs on him now?”
“No.” I scrunched down and crossed my arms. To be honest, I was usually the one that had to be sought out. But I was excited to tell him that I’d finished the first draft of my book. “I just had good news for him.”