“The line is back there?” she said.
“I know, but I’m just here to get a job application. I saw your ad online.”
“Do you have any experience at all?” she asked.
“Yes. Back in Indiana, I worked at a coffee house for the last four years.”
She stopped what she was doing and looked at me. “Okay, come behind the counter. This will be your interview because we need the help and you have the experience. I’m Jordyn and that guy standing at the register is Ollie. Hey, Ollie, say hi to—”
“Rory.” I smiled.
“Say hi to Rory.”
Ollie gave me a small smile and nodded his head. Jordyn told me that my job was to make the customers’ drinks as fast as I could. About twenty minutes later, the crowd had cleared and everyone left happy. Jordyn turned and looked at me with a grin.
“You’re hired. You’re amazing! Isn’t she amazing, Ollie? Tell her she’s amazing.”
“You’re amazing and welcome to Java Hut.” He smiled.
A feeling of excitement overtook me as I felt like this was the first step in starting my life over. “Thank you. I really appreciate it. You have no idea how bad I need this job.”
“Well, judging by your clothes, I assume you like the finer things in life.” Jordyn smiled.
“It’s a long story.”
“I’m going to run in the back and grab an application for you to fill out. You know, formalities and shit. So make yourself a coffee and go have a seat.”
I smiled at her and made a caramel macchiato before taking a seat. Jordyn was a cute girl. I towered over her with my five-foot-seven-inch stature compared to her five-foot-two. Her blonde hair was cut into a cute bob style and she wore light makeup. She seemed to have a lot of energy and she acted really sweet. Ollie seemed a little more shy and reserved. He was cute with his longer black hair and bangs that swept to the side. As I sat at the table, Jordyn walked over and handed me the application.
“Here, just fill out the required information. Can you start tomorrow?”
“Yes. Tomorrow will be great,” I replied.
“The position is part-time for now, but I might need you for extra hours.”
“That’s fine. I want to work as much as I can.” I smiled.
“You, my friend, are awesome. It’s so hard finding anybody who wants to work these days.”
I looked over the application and when it came to me putting down my address, I realized I didn’t know it. Shit. I had to think of something quick. I left it blank and finished the rest of the application. I got up from the table and walked over to where Jordyn and Ollie were standing.
“I just moved here a couple of weeks ago and I’m staying with a friend and I don’t know the house address.”
“Oh, no problem. You can get it when you go home and then fill it in tomorrow when you start.” She smiled.
“Thanks, Jordyn. I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” I said as I walked out the door.
Now what? I walked around the corner and did a little window shopping, and when I was finished, I sat down on a small wooden bench. I had no clue how I was getting back to Ian’s house. I had no phone and no money, so I couldn’t even take the bus if I wanted to. I sat there for about an hour, trying to formulate a plan, when suddenly, a black limo pulled up to the curb and the window started to roll down.
“I’m guessing you need a ride home.” Ian smiled.
“What are you doing here, Ian?”
“I’m not stupid, Rory. I knew you had no way of getting home, so I had Joshua keep tabs on you. Now get in.”
I rolled my eyes as I got up from the bench and climbed into the back of the limo. Ian looked at me and smirked.
“Did you have a nice day?”
“I had a great day, thank you. I thought you told me last night that you were done being nice to me,” I said as I cocked my head.
“I certainly couldn’t leave you stranded in a strange place. I’m not that mean.”
Ian Braxton confused me. On one hand, he was a complete ass**le, but on the other, he had a sweet side – a side that I wished he would show more often.
“Aren’t you going to ask me how my day was?” he asked.
“How was your day, Ian?” I sighed.
“Fantastic. My day was fantastic, Aurora.”
“Rory.” I sighed.
“Let me tell you why my day was fantastic. I just closed a multi-million dollar deal that had been in negotiations for over a year and, to celebrate, I’m taking you to dinner.”
“Remember what happened the last time you took me to dinner? You said it was a mistake and I ended up walking out.”
“I do remember, since it was only last night, and I know that tonight will be different, right?”
The truth was that I was starving, and I hadn’t had anything to eat all day except a blueberry muffin and coffee.
“Dinner sounds nice and there’s actually another reason to celebrate.” I smiled.
Ian tilted his head and gave a small smile. “Another reason? Are you going to tell me?”
“Yes, I am. At dinner.”
He arched his eyebrow as he looked at me. He was so sexy and I hated myself for thinking it. We pulled up to the front of the restaurant and Joshua opened the door for me. As I stepped out, Ian held out his arm. I looked over at him and saw that he had a cocky grin on his face. I hooked my arm around his and we walked inside. The restaurant was very casual, almost like a family dining place. It was sure a big difference from the restaurant he took me to last night. As we were seated in the booth, I looked at him and twisted my face.
“What’s that look for? I don’t mind it. I think you’re adorable when you do that. But, why are you looking at me that way?”
“I was just wondering why this restaurant. It seems very beneath you to dine in a restaurant like this.”
Ian chuckled. “Well, it’s not my first choice of a restaurant, but I thought you’d be more comfortable here since it’s more—”
“More what, Ian?” I sternly asked.
“More your type of restaurant,” he said as he waved his hand in the air. I knew he did not just say that. Yep, he said it, and I could feel my skin starting to burn with anger. I took in a deep breath and remained calm. I was hungry and I wasn’t going to let his arrogant ass ruin my dinner.
“That’s so sweet of you, Ian.” I smiled as I tilted my head. “You are so thoughtful to go slumming to make me comfortable.”