Page 29 of Illicit Education
“I mean, I guess so?” I frowned. “But I’d need to know why.”
“Of course you would.” Mina nodded. “That’s understandable.”
“Do you sell, like, other stuff here?”
She remained quiet for a moment, watching me with calculating eyes.
Should I have been more specific? Asked her if she had any double-sided dildos or edible thongs?
“There are other facets of my business, yes.” Mina tilted her head, holding my gaze as if gauging me before she explained further. “You might see a senator walk through my doors, Rylan. A famous actor.” She leaned forward, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “People even more famous than that. You won’t be able to tell anyone, won’t be able to gush to your friends because your favorite rockstar was here.”
I nearly laughed. “I don’t really care about that kind of stuff, and rockstars aren’t…” I shook my head. “That’s not really my thing.”Authors, however, I might lose my mind over.
Mina’s lips twitched. “Professors from Columbia.”
I pictured Greer’s grandfather walking into a fancy lingerie store, and had to bite back another laugh–
“Big name horror authors. Formidable publishing tycoons.”
A record skipped in my mind. Were we talking about Cabot Reed?
Mina chuckled softly as if following my thoughts. “You just never know.”
“I wouldn’t say anything to anyone.”
Mina nodded. “I like you, Rylan. I have a good feeling about this.”
Excitement filled me with a soft buzzing, and my cheeks began to ache from smiling. I was about to get a job. My new boss seemed so nice, and the shop was within walking distance of Reed Tower, so I wouldn’t lose any time traveling between locations.
“Okay. Let’s get to it.” Mina clasped her hands together. “I normally only hire people who have been downstairs, but I’m going to take a chance on you. I believe you and your friend are headed there later tonight anyway?”
Downstairs?Did she mean the Rabbit Hole nightclub thing? “I don’t really go to nightclubs…”
Mina laughed, covering her mouth as she held my gaze. “Well, the Rabbit Hole isn’treallya nightclub, as far as nightclubs go.”
It was official: the more she spoke, the less I understood.
“I pay two dollars more per hour than the going rate of minimum wage. I don’t offer part-time employees health benefits or insurance, but you will have a significant discount on anything you buy here, and, should you decide to come on board full-time, health insurance and benefits would absolutely be part of the employment package.” She paused, then added, “Should full-time employment be something you’re interested in, we will play it by ear, but I most certainly would not encourage you away from your dreams of working in publishing and I expect you to continue pursuing that.”
Okay, that all sounded reasonable enough.
“What do you think? Would you like to work for me?”
No question. “Absolutely.”
“Great. Welcome to White Rabbit, Rylan.” Mina stood and walked to the door. “We’ll call this a tentative hire until you’ve spent some time downstairs and confirm that you want to be a part of this, okay?”
I nodded, even though I wasn’t really sure what that meant. Hadn’t I just told her I wanted the job?
She glanced down at the diamond-encrusted Rolex on her wrist. “Please leave your information with Laurel, then come back around eight o’clock and we’ll take you downstairs. Sound good?”
“Sounds great. Thank you so much.”
“I have a good feeling about this.” Mina smiled, then added, “If you decide this job is for you, can you start tomorrow night?”
“Yes.” Could this be more perfect?
“Great. I’d love to have you working the register on weeknights from, say, six o’clock to ten o’clock, then possibly picking up some weekend shifts as well, depending upon Laurel and my other employees. Availability is key. Will that work?”