Page 60 of Tasty Cherry

“You can say no.”

She frowns at me. “I know that. I’m assistant manager.” She huffs, like she might like to say more, as if I’ve disrespected her.

I’m used to it.

I don’t say anything. It’s best to let her work it out. More talking generally makes it worse.

Finally, she says, “Maverick is easier to control in the more rigid environments like the dish room and kitchen. I think I’ll leave him there. I don’t want to manage him.”

I’m itching to know where Mila will be, but I know better than to ask.

“Sounds good.”

“How did Mila do on that sensitive matter you had?” Raya asks.

I carefully control my expression. “She did well. The guest asked for a female employee, so I sent her in. Everything resolved.”

“Good. I have her in HR next week.”

So that’s where she’ll be. HR isn’t on my usual path unless someone there needs me, so the temptation will be significantly less.

“The interns have the weekend off?”

“I’m going to keep them Monday to Friday for the first month, then the cycle spreads out.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I hop up from the corner.

As I head down the hall, I pull up my contacts. I keyed in all the interns’ phone numbers mid-week, when Raya had the day off and I was in charge of them.

I text Mila.

It’s the weekend. Dinner?

I’m back at my office before she replies.

Mila: Can we do tomorrow? Have a thing here.

A thing. I wonder what the thing is.

Me: Absolutely. Text me tomorrow. I have an easy day.

I’d prefer to nail down when I get to see her, but she’s made friends here. That’s good. I’m glad.

Mila: I will! Sorry. I’m kinda needed. I didn’t expect it.

That’s some fast bonding.

Me: Not a problem.

I shut down my computer and lock my office. I already checked on Sasha, who runs the night shift at the front desk on the weekends. There’s nothing else for me to do. Having extra hands this week, plus it being the start of the offseason, has made for light work.

Plenty of time to obsess about a dark-haired intern.

21

MILA

Brooklyn and I walk the aisles of King Soopers, a grocery chain I’ve never heard of. It’s bright and well stocked, and while maybe not as great as H-E-B back in Texas, has everything we’re looking for.