The Barrier Between (Collector Series # 2)
Page 31
Riley laughed weakly. “Really, not a big deal.”
Kyaerin’s laugh was the soft tinkle of bells. “Well, we’re grateful nevertheless.” Her gaze dropped to the paper in front of Riley. “What kind of jobs are you looking for?”
Startled by the abrupt change of topic, Riley faltered for a second before responding. “At this point, whatever I can find.”
Kyaerin moved to pluck up the paper and examine the circles Riley had made. Her pert little nose crinkled into one of disgust. “Warehouse worker? Waste management? Goodness.”
Riley laughed. “Like I said, whatever I can find.”
Kyaerin folded the paper none too gently and tossed it down on a nearby table. “Those are not jobs for a young lady. As it so happens, my husband is looking for someone to help out around here full time. I could put in a word if you like?”
Work at the Addams Family Mansion?
“Oh no, that’s okay. Thank—”
Kyaerin wasn’t listening. “You would be doing us yet another favor, I assure you.”
Wary, Riley frowned. “What would I need to do?” Because if she had to lure people into the basement and hang them by their feet as their blood drained … even a desperate girl had to have limits.
“We need a waitress to help during the evening rush. You’d have to get meals and drinks. Nothing too strenuous.”
That didn’t sound so bad, except … “I’ve never waitressed,” she confessed.
“It’s very simple,” Kyaerin insisted. “You’ll be trained before your first shift. The pay is reasonable and you’ll get every other weekend off.”
Now isn’t the time to start turning down jobs, especially one that is offered, the voice in her head chided.
Riley forced a bright smile. “That would be wonderful. Thank you so much!”
Kyaerin left her, moving with a graceful swagger through the doors behind the counter. The click of her pumps faded as the door swung closed behind her. Riley dropped into her seat, nerves warring with dread. She was so not dressed for an interview. Her clothes were rumpled from the heat and her makeup was smudged and faded. She didn’t even want to think how bad her hair looked. But she was never one to back out of an opportunity, even if it was being offered purely out of gratitude for the safe return of their week’s earnings. A job was a job.
Hurriedly, she unhitched the clip from her hair and let the copper strands tumble around her shoulders. The usually straight strands fell in waves that she quickly combed out with her fingers. She dragged her knuckles beneath her eyes, rubbing away as much of the makeup smudges as possible before using a napkin to scrub the faded lipstick from her lips. She was reaching for her purse to reapply when the kitchen doors swung open and Kyaerin hurried out, followed by her husband. Riley plastered what she hoped was a confident smile on her face and rose to her feet to meet them.
“Kyaerin tells me you’re looking for a job,” the man came right out and said, extending a hand to Riley even though they’d already met.
Riley took it, giving it a buoyant shake. “I am. I have resumes in the car if you—”
The man waved the offer away. “Later. Let’s just talk for now.”
Riley sat, counting to ten in her head and willed her nerves to quit shaking.
“Let’s start with your name.”
She learned the man’s name was Liam Maxwell. He and his wife owned Final Judgment, a diner and bar; a business that had been family owned for years. Their sons helped when they could, but they had other responsibilities that kept them busy and they needed an extra hand to pick up the slack. Riley listened as Liam spoke, describing the type of job required of her and the hours she would need to put in. When they got to the salary she would be getting every two weeks, Riley nearly fainted. True, she’d never had a waitressing job in the past, but she was pretty damn certain no other waitress was getting that much in a single night, not including tips.
“Our customers are very generous,” Kyaerin said when Riley’s eyes widened. “You could make anywhere between fifty and a hundred dollars a night. Sometimes more.”
Now, Riley wasn’t stupid. She knew a sugar coating when she heard one, but even if the tip earning was greatly exaggerated, the facts remained that she’d be earning enough in one week to pay the rent and most of the bills and all she had to do was wait tables.
“This all sounds a little too good to be true,” she admitted.
Liam smiled at her kindly. “I won’t lie to you, it won’t be all champagne and roses, but you seem like someone who picks things up quickly.”
“I am,” Riley said, struggling to keep her voice even. “I’m not afraid of hard work.”
“Fantastic,” Kyaerin said, glancing at her husband.
Liam nodded. “I have a question though.”
Riley waited.
“How old are you?”
It took a great deal of effort not to grimace. This was the part that scared a lot of potential employers away.
“I turned nineteen last week,” she confessed after a split second hesitation. “But I don’t drink or smoke and I don’t party.”
Liam chuckled. “Well, then maybe you can teach our sons a thing or two. Lord knows they do enough of all that. Regulus, is eighteen. We usually keep him in the kitchen to help Gorje during rushes and serve drinks during the evenings, but he isn’t permitted to mix or pour the drinks himself. Octavian or Gideon do most of the bartending.” Liam squinted at Riley. “So I’m guessing you’re looking for part-time employment, am I correct?”
Riley shook her head. “Full-time, if possible.”
Liam’s eyebrow rose questioningly. “No school for you?”
It took a bit more effort not to let it show how much the question bothered her. “I’m taking some time off from college.”
Liam nodded like it made sense, but made no comment. His gaze shifted over to his wife, who had remained mute throughout most of the transaction. They said nothing for several minutes as they did that weird eye communication thing only couples could pull off.
At long last, he trained his attention back to Riley, and smiled. “When can you start?”
Bottling back the bubbling squeal building up inside her, Riley opened her mouth to respond when the front door opened and three boys scuffled in, carting a dead body between them.
About AIRICKA PHOENIX
Airicka Phoenix is a romance junkie with an incurable addiction to chocolate. She is also a prolific author of several novels written for young adult and new adult romance addicts who love bad boys, hot kisses and a gritty plot. Airicka prides herself in producing quality material her readers can fall in love with again and again.
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