Chapter 5 #3
I turn back to look at Daisy, raising my eyebrows in a silent plea. I’m about to lose my shit on this girl. Daisy’s gaze is sympathetic as she shakes her head, her shoulders rising then falling in a dramatic shrug. Like she silently agrees she doesn’t know what to do.
“What would you say is a quality you bring to a job atmosphere? Are you a good team player?” I toss her one last chance, practically throwing an entire life ring her way by feeding her a good answer with my follow up question.
She leans deeper into her chair and lets out a groan. “Listen, I like money, my friends like coffee. I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone here. We get a discount, right? Or, like, all you can drink perks that I can roll over to my friends?”
She’s got to be fucking kidding, right?
Are all of the interviews going to be like this? No, there has to be a good one in here somewhere. Taking a deep breath, I decide to turn a new leaf.
Think positive, Kaylee.
It’s the first interview, they can only get better. At least, I hope. I stand up with a great, big smile on my lips and extend my hand out. “Thank you so much for coming in today, Molly. If we decide to move forward, you will receive a call later this week.”
She stands up and furrows her brow, undoubtedly shocked by the fast end to this interview, and shakes my hand. “Thanks, I look forward to receiving your call.”
It takes everything in me not to answer: Don’t.
The second she turns away, I roll my eyes as I watch her walk out the door.
I swing my body toward the counter, relieved to finally get to speak my mind. “This is a goddamn coffee shop, not a bar, of course mornings are a requirement, and I’m not sure any service place in this town isn’t open on the weekends.” Irritation intertwines within every word I say.
“Yeah, that was a train wreck.” A stunned look lingers on Daisy’s face as she shrugs, almost as if the movement alone will erase the mess she just witnessed.
“I’m proud of you for not freaking out on her.
She was underwhelming across the board, and if I know anything, it’s that you wanted to tell her that.
” Her comment is so spot on it makes me laugh. “I bet the next person will be better.”
“Feel free to give me an ounce of your positivity, I could use it.”
Sitting back down at the table, I shuffle the stack of resumes and glance over the next name on the list—Virginia Davies.
Given she’s worked in a coffee shop before, she seems more promising and most likely knows what time a coffee shop is open, at least. I’m pulled from the papers once she enters the shop and I’m greeted by a friendly face.
She’s tall and curvy, her skin a warm tawny color, and her ebony hair lays in soft curls that grace her shoulders.
She’s dressed in basically the mirror image of something I’d wear—double layered tanks, low rise cargo pants, flip flops, and most importantly, pink.
I like her already.
“Hey.” Her greeting is friendly and her smile seems genuine, so we are already off to a better start than with the other girl. I stand from the table, outstretching my hand to greet her. “My name is Ginny.”
“I’m Kaylee, nice to meet you,” I reply, taking a seat while she does the same. Now, all I can hope for is that she doesn’t lead with something as stupid as the last girl, and doesn’t plan on finding a career elsewhere for the foreseeable future.
“I see here that you have previously worked at a coffee shop.” I scan her work experience for a second time. “It also says you have previous experience as a manager as well. Are you sufficient in both of those positions?”
She continues to smile. “Yes, absolutely. I worked in a coffee shop in my hometown as a teen, and then as a manager at the bookstore while I attended college. I absolutely love working with people, and I really missed working in a coffee shop because I find making drinks to be rather therapeutic.”
Hell must have frozen over. How did I find someone who not only has experience but also genuinely enjoys working at a coffee shop and needs little to no training?
I try to dampen my excitement. I don’t want to seem desperate, though losing Daisy definitely makes me that much more worried about the workload.
“Perfect. Are you looking for a new job with your degree?” I hate to ask the question so bluntly, but I find it’s easier to just rip off the band-aid rather than find out later on.
She hesitates for a minute. “I decided to take a break from college and save up before I decide if I want to continue. Unfortunately, my parents can’t afford tuition, and it was incredibly draining trying to be a full time student and work on top of it.”
“What does your availability look like for the rest of this year?”
“I’d honestly like to work as much as possible, that way I can save up some money so I don’t have to delay school longer than necessary.”
I nearly groan as I feel the weight of carrying this shop on my own lift off my shoulders. And since she practically oozed exactly what I was hoping to find, I might as well just tell her exactly what I think.
“Perfect. I’m not one for formalities, so I’ll be honest and let you know I’d be happy to have you join the team!
I planned to hire a few people, but with your previous background I actually think you would be perfect for the assistant manager position opening up.
Of course, there will be training to make sure you’re the right fit, as well as training the other employees, but if everything goes smoothly, I think you will really enjoy it here. ”
Her face is an open book, just like mine, and the shock that resides behind her emerald eyes makes me let out a soft laugh. “That would be amazing, thank you so much for the opportunity!”
She beams ear to ear but I’m honestly just as excited as she is because I needed the help and I’m actually excited to take it.