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“No,” she said, sounding a bit defensive. She stood, holding her papers close to her chest.
“I didn’t mean to offend you.” He flashed his best smirk as he set his papers on the desk. “I kind of like the bun.”
Her cheeks darkened at his comment, and she immediately turned her focus to the papers in her hand. “I’ve been in a few times to look over the applications of the folks already hired, trying to get a lay of the land. I thought maybe I could set some interviews up tomorrow for the manager. I have a couple here that could be possibilities.”
“We could look through those together,” he offered.
“Sure.” He swore he could feel her tense up, as he leaned in to look at the applications in her hand.
“Excuse me,” came a voice from the doorway.
He turned to see a young woman.
“Can I help you?” Noah asked.
“I am looking for Noah Rodgers.” Staring at him for a second, she added a bit star-struck, “You’re Noah Rodgers.”
“Guilty as charged. Can I help you?”
“The man at the bar told me that I needed to talk to you, and he pointed me in this direction.” She smiled. “Sorry, I’m sure you need to know why. I’d like to apply for the manager position. I tried to give my resume to him. He looked at it then suggested I speak directly to you.”
“I’ll take that.” Noah took the resume and looked it over. A few high-profile restaurants listed caught his eye. There was a reason Jared sent her directly to him. This young woman had some good qualifications. “Can I ask why you’re leaving your current employer?” Noah asked.
“The place where I’m currently working is closing soon. I was training to replace the supervisor, but you know how it goes. I’d take any available position.”
“May I see?” Jordan asked, as she reached for the paper.
“Please.”
“Hmm.” Her eyes lit up as she read over the resume. “Shelby, I see you started as a hostess and have also worked as a server for a couple of years before becoming a section manager.”
“Yes.” She nodded. “I love the hospitality industry, and someday hope to own my own place. But I understand I need to pay my dues and at the same time gain experience.”
Jordan nodded. “I see you’re working on your degree.”
“Yes, and I’ve had on-the-job training, as I said before.”
A smile crossed Jordan’s lips as she continued to scan the resume, and he was sure she was reading over the names of restaurants that had caught his eye as well.
She leaned close to him to whisper in his ear. Her warm breath tickled, and sparks ran through him. He swallowed hard, knowing this was not the time to be turned on, but her being so close to him made that difficult.
“She’s perfect for the manager position,” she whispered.
Noah withdrew a bit before it became obvious how much she affected him. He shrugged. “You’re in charge of that. Whatever you think.”
“Shelby, do you have time to sit and answer some questions?” Jordan asked.
The woman looked pleasantly surprised. “Yes, of course.”
For the next thirty minutes, Noah sat in awe, listening as Jordan grilled Shelby on her work experience, job ambitions and other things. Even more impressive was Jordan’s explanation of the establishment’s mission and the work culture she aimed to promote, which convinced him that he’d made the right decision to hire her as general manager.
“Shelby, I think you’d fit in perfectly here, but not as a server,” Jordan said finally.
“I’ll work the hostess stand or wash dishes if I have to. I love hockey, and I’m assuming this place is going to bring in a ton of fans, considering, well, that you are the Noah Rodgers.”
“Yes I am,” Noah said, almost a bit humble at the star quality she attached to his name. Almost.
“Well, Shelby, besides the fact that you’re a hockey fan, you are qualified. Too qualified for hostess or dishwasher. It just so happens we are looking for a manager.”
