Rachel opened her bag of chips and smiled, trying not to show that she noticed Ruby Jean’s hint. “Things are going pretty well. I love the weather right now—the cool air, the leaves all so beautiful. I mean, it’s not like I haven’t seen a tree’s leaves change color before, but those kinds of trees are sparse in Southern California. And it gets cool there, too, but …” She felt her cheeks reddening when she realized she was rambling. “Anyway, it’s very different here, despite how alike they sound.”
Ruby Jean chuckled. “Always wanted to go to California. Maybe once I have some solid leadership at the café I’ll be able to take a vacation. I haven’t done that since I started the place.”
“When was that?”
“Six years ago now. One of those things I’d always wanted to do but was too afraid to try. I spent ten years managing someone else’s place and dreaming about how I’d do my own, and then one day I realized I was forty and tired of letting someone else be in charge of my career. So I turned in my two-week notice, drafted a business plan, and here I am.”
“Wow. That’s fantastic.” They talked about the café’s inception and Ruby Jean’s obsession with the Beatles as they ate until Ruby Jean changed the direction of the conversation. “So what else do you do besides make coffee and make out with Jack?”
Rachel nearly choked. She swallowed down a chunk of sandwich and took a long pull on her soda. “So I guess you know we’re dating.”
“I may be single, but I’m not ignorant of relationships. All it takes is five minutes in the same room with you two—you don’t even have to talk to each other.”
Rachel pressed a hand to her forehead, distressed. “Is it all right? I mean, I didn’t think—”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Don’t panic.” Ruby Jean’s smile was kind. “What was I getting at is, what do you like to do outside of work?”
“Not much, actually. I had a lot on my plate back in California, but I haven’t gotten involved with anything here yet.” She grinned. “Means I have a lot of time to devote to, say, my job, if it were to suddenly get more complex.”
Ruby Jean let out a laugh. “Is that right?” She set down her sandwich and sat straighter in her seat. Suddenly nervous, Rachel did the same.
“Well, now that you’ve mentioned it … I’ve been impressed with your performance, Rachel. You’re professional, your customer service is excellent, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone churn out so many orders in such a short amount of time. You’re a machine.”
“Thank you.”
“So tell me your thoughts on the shop, the staff—whatever. Anything and everything.”
“Sure. Well, I love the shop. I love the vibe, how relaxed it is, the loyal clientele—I like how the people who come back every day or week or whatever feel like they have a relationship with us, and us with them. I know people’s names, and if they work or are a student or both. I enjoy being connected with them like that. And I think I get along well with the staff, for the most part. Not everyone is the kind of person I’d hang out with as a friend, but I feel like we work well together.”
Ruby Jean nodded. “That’s what I’ve observed as well. Everyone knows I want another manager, and I think they all know you’re up for the job, whether you’ve talked about it or not. None of them either want it or are qualified, but they know you’ve got a lot of experience, and I have a feeling they’ve been viewing you as a possible superior since you started. How do you think you and Cole do together?”
“I think we do well. I haven’t worked with him as much since he does so much office and back room stuff, but I think our communication is good, and from what I’ve observed, our managerial styles are similar.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Ruby Jean finished her drink and sat back from the table. “Well, Rachel, if you’re ready, I’d like to promote you to manager, starting next week. Are you up for it?”
Rachel tried not to smile like an idiot. “Absolutely.”
“Great. There’s one thing we need to discuss first, however.”
Her stomach sank. “Jack?”
“Yes. But here’s the thing: Some people know how to set aside their personal lives and maintain professionalism, and some don’t. I don’t like to make blanket rules unless I have to, and so far I have never had a problem with any of my employees dating each other. However, I’ve never had a manager date a subordinate, either. So, point being, I’m not going to make you choose between Jack and the job. I am, however, going to ask you to convince me that you can be objective while in the café, and not let your romantic life interfere with how you interact with Jack at work.”
Anxiety and relief roiled like oil and water in her head. “Convince you? Like, right now?”
Ruby Jean chuckled. “No, I mean over the next, say, month or so. Show me he’s just another employee when the two of you are both on the clock. You can go make out at home once you’re done for the day for all I care, but when you’re working I need to be able to trust you to manage him the same way you would any other staff member.”
Rachel nodded along with Ruby Jean’s words, desperate to show her willingness to comply. “I will. Absolutely. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, Rachel. Let’s finish up here and go back to the office to get the paperwork straightened out and figure out your new schedule.”
Jack caught Rachel’s eyes when they came back into the café, and she gave him a quick thumbs-up. He had a celebratory mocha awaiting her when she came out on her way home. “Congrats, babe!” he said before planting a kiss on her cheek. “Oh wait—am I going to get fired for kissing you now?”
She smacked his arm. “We’ll discuss that later. You’re on second shift tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Me too. Let’s do breakfast in the morning and we can talk about it.” They set a time and place and said good-bye. Then Rachel headed home, a large envelope of benefits package information clutched to her chest, eager to tell Daphne the news.
Daphne wasn’t home when she got there, however, and she didn’t stumble in until nearly one. The door slammed and Rachel awoke, confused by the noise. She got up and saw Daphne weaving through the living room on unsteady feet. “You’re just getting in now? Wow, what have you been up to?”
Daphne stopped, one hand on the wall. “Courtney called. We went out.”
“Courtney—the one who snitched on you and Paul?”
“What else was I supposed to do, wait around for you?”
“I’m sorry, Daph,” she said, surprised at the snappy tone in her friend’s voice. “Ruby Jean asked me to stay so we could talk. I got the promotion.”
Daphne snorted. “Well, whoopee.” She stumbled past Rachel into her room and slammed the door, alcohol fumes eddying behind her.
Rachel stared at the door, shocked and hurt. She reached out to knock, but then lowered her hand and retreated to her own room. She had breakfast with Jack in the morning—she needed to get her sleep. Though the smell of Daphne’s drink gave Rachel an idea. Back in the kitchen, she poured herself a small glass of Baileys. A nightcap was the perfect way to celebrate.
o
“A toast to my girlfriend the manager,” Jack said, holding his orange juice aloft.
“Here, here.” Rachel clinked her coffee cup to his glass and took a sip. “Though I’m still just a plain old barista until Monday.”
“Oh, a ‘plain old barista,’ eh? Is that all we are to you management types?”
Rachel smirked and kicked him lightly under the table. “Watch it there, mister, or I’ll write you up for insubordination.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. So—tell me everything. You got a raise, right? You’re gonna have to start treating me to dinner now, instead of the other way around.”
“Ha, that’s a great way to a girl’s heart.”
”I’m just saying. You’re the one with the big important job. I’m just a plain old barista.”
Rachel rolled her eyes. �
�Yes, I got a small raise. My schedule’s going to change too.” She listed her shifts, knowing he’d be as disappointed as she was with the arrangement.
Jack frowned. “Looks like we only have two nights free together.”
“At least we work together almost every day. It’s not like we’ll never see each other.”
“True. Maybe you can work a little magic on the schedule and coordinate our time off.” He wagged his eyebrows and wiggled his fingers as though trying to put a hex on the syrup pitcher.
Rachel chuckled, though unease began to creep into her chest. “Ruby Jean did tell me she was concerned about something, though. I’m sort of in a probationary period for the next month. She wants to make sure I don’t show you any preferential treatment.”
Jack gave a slow nod. “Ah.” He sat back, the fun gone from his face. “So you told her.”
“No—she said it was obvious.”
He gave her a small smile. “Well, I guess I can see why.”
She smiled back and shrugged. “At least she’s not making me choose between you or the job.”
“Which one would you have picked?”
Rachel froze.
“No, never mind—that was an unfair question.” Jack waved away the words, then brushed invisible crumbs from the tabletop. “You told her she had nothing to worry about, right? That you wouldn’t treat me any differently?”
“Of course. Because I wouldn’t. Not that I wouldn’t want to—”
“Of course, but it wouldn’t be fair.”
“Right.”
“Right.”
Jack nodded, but the look on his face made Rachel uncertain. “We can make this work, right?”
“Absolutely.”
“So what are you thinking that’s making you look like you’re mad at me?”
“I—what? No, I’m not mad.” He wiped a hand down his face and sighed. “Would you totally hate me if I admitted I’m a little jealous?”
“Hate you? Of course not! But jealous of what, the job? I thought you didn’t want to be a manager.”
“I don’t. But I don’t want to be a plain old barista for the next ten years, either. I’m closer to thirty than I am to twenty and I’m not totally thrilled that my lot in life is coffee, you know? It’s one thing if you’re moving up, like you are, and you’ve got actual responsibilities and a job description that’s longer than one sentence. Plus you really love coffee—so it suits you. But me …” He shook his head and sipped his juice, then sighed. “I’m sorry, Rach. We’re supposed to be celebrating you. Sorry for dumping my junk like that.”
Their food came and Rachel was rescued from having to respond. The conversation turned to their meals and then meandered through a myriad of topics, never returning to the coffee shop or Rachel’s new position. When they finished they walked together to the café for their shift. Jack gave her a kiss before they were in sight of the café, then said, “I really am happy for you, Rach. Good for you. And I promise not to cause you any trouble.”
She kissed him back and thanked him, then spent the rest of the day wondering what Jack really wanted to do with his life. And if she wanted to be a part of it.
o
Daphne was there when Rachel came home that night. Daphne gave her a sheepish smile when she walked in. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
“How are you?”
Rachel chuckled. “I’m okay. How are you?”
“Sober—which I wasn’t last night. But I wasn’t blitzed enough to forget how I acted. I’m sorry.”
Rachel relaxed. “Thanks. I forgive you.”
“And congratulations on the promotion. That’s really awesome. Although, you know you’re crazy, right?”
Rachel laughed. “What? Why?”
Daphne rolled her eyes. “Have you learned nothing from my woes?”
“Oh. Well … I guess this just seems different to me.”
“Yeah, right.”
“No, really!” Rachel sat down in the armchair and ticked the reasons off on her fingers. “First of all, my boss already knows about it. Second of all, Jack and I talked it over, so we’re both cool with it. We know the boundaries we have to have. And third, I am the superior, so I’m the one with the power. Do you really see me misusing it?”
Daphne shook her head. “You’re playing with fire, mon amie.”
Rachel was annoyed. Why did Daphne have to be such a wet blanket? She tried to keep her tone casual when she said, “You’re just being overprotective because you got burned. And I appreciate it, truly. I’m thankful I have a friend who has my back. But I honestly do not think there’s going to be a problem.”
Daphne raised her hands in surrender. “You’re a big girl—you know what you’re doing. I promise not to say anything else about it.”
Rachel brightened. “So Jack’s taking me out Wednesday for my birthday. He won’t tell me where we’re going, but he said to get dressed up and that ‘heels would be appropriate.’”
Daphne wagged her eyebrows. “Sounds fancy.”
“Yeah. What do you think, the wrap dress from Vegas?”
“Sure. Use my silver shoes, though. Those will snazz it up a bit.”
“Oh cool, thanks.”
“Do you guys have plans on Saturday?”
“My new schedule starts next week, so I’m opening, but I’ll be home by one. ”
“I was thinking we could go out for your birthday. I have an idea for a gift that I think you’ll really like. But it might take some getting used to.”
Rachel laughed. “Well, that’s intriguing. But really, you don’t have to give me anything. You’ve given me so much already, I know money’s tight for you—”
“Oh, it’s totally nothing, don’t worry about it. And money is fine. Really.”
Rachel wondered if she should admit she’d seen Daphne’s credit card statement. She didn’t want to embarrass her, but she also didn’t want her spending more money on Rachel when she couldn’t afford to. She’s an adult. Maybe she’s already paid it off—who knows?
“Okay, well … thanks. So, what’s the gift?”
“Promise you won’t write it off as soon as I say it. Think about it, okay?”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “Okay, okay. Tell me already!”
Daphne scrunched up her face in excitement, then whispered, “A tattoo!”
Rachel burst out laughing. “What? You’ve got to be kidding!”
“No, I’m totally not! I’m gonna get one, too. We’ll do them together.”
Rachel sat back in her seat. “Hm,” she said. “So what are you going to get?”
Daphne rubbed her hands together. “Okay, so, I’m thinking either some kind of flower or a laurel wreath—to go with my name, from the Greek myth.”
Rachel nodded thoughtfully. “That’s cool.”
“What about you?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never even considered getting a tattoo.”
“Never?”
“Nope.”
“Wow. Well, let’s see. You could get … a Bible with a big X through it.”
She couldn’t help laughing. “Um, no, I think not.”
“Okay, fair enough. Um … how about a cup of coffee?” They both laughed at that. “Or … what does Rachel mean, do you know?”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “It’s Hebrew, and it means ‘lamb.’”
Daphne giggled. “Okay, so … a cute little sheep, maybe.”
“Yeah, I’m going to get a sheep permanently inked on my … Where are you getting yours?”
“Lower back, I think.”
Rachel shuddered. “Honestly, the thought of it makes me queasy.”
Daphne patted Rachel’s knees. “Well, it’s totally up to you. But there’s no need to over think it. Cute, dainty women like yourself get them done all the time—if they can do it, so can you.”
“Well, I’ll definitely come support you when you do yours. I just have to ponder it for a while. Is that cool?”
“Yes, of course.” Daphne clapped her hands. “A toast! To tattoos and promotions.”
Rachel smiled. “Thanks, Daph.”
“Well, I’m happy for you. But I still think you’re crazy.”
o
Rachel raced home Wednesday evening to be ready in time for her night out with Jack. She was combing out her hair when Daphne poked her head into her room. “Need any help getting even more gorgeous than you already are?”
Rachel chuckled. “You know me. I’ll take any help I can get.”
“Silly girl, you should have told me sooner. Hold on.” She disappeared for a moment, then came in with her makeup bag. “Take a seat and let me beautify.”
Rachel did as she was told. “I wonder where we’re going.”
“He hasn’t given you any hints at all?”
“Nope.”
She sighed. “I have to admit I am so jealous.”
“I’m sorry. I hope I’m not rubbing it in your face.”
“Not at all. And I’m happy to help make you look like a million bucks.” Daphne gave Rachel’s cheek a final dab of foundation. “I just wish I had a reason to do the same to myself.”
She worked in silence for a few minutes, then stood back. “Okay, check it out.”
Rachel stood to look in the mirror. “Wow. You’re really good at this. You should get a job at one of those makeup counters at Macy’s.”
Daphne wrinkled her nose. “Nah. It’s more fun doing it with friends.” She rummaged in her makeup bag and pulled out a small gold jar. “Okay, this may sound a little out there, but it’s awesome.”
“What is it?”
“Body glitter.”
Rachel laughed. “I’ll look like a disco ball!”
“You’ll look swanky and glam, I promise.”
“I don’t have time for another shower if I don’t.”
“Trust me, ma petite chou.”
Rachel sighed. “If Jack thinks it looks stupid I’m totally blaming you.”
Daphne unscrewed the lid with a smile. “Men are simple creatures. When something is shiny their attention is completely captivated.”
When Jack arrived, Rachel noted with pleasure that Daphne once again knew what she was talking about. “Whoa” was the first thing out of his mouth. “You look amazing, babe.”
Reinventing Rachel Page 14