“It very much isnot,” I say. “Did you see the way he looked at me? He hates me.”
“He didn’t hate you last night, it sounds like."
“Sutton! That was…that was different.” I bite my lip. “I’m sure there’s some kind of rule?—”
“There isn’t; this is hospitality. If there were a rule about fraternizing, everyone would get fired. And even if there was, that was before you worked here. You’re golden. And really, June, you’re perfect—you’re exactly what he needs.” I stare at her, confused, and she adds, “As an assistant. Just don’t let his bad attitude push you away, okay? He was the same with me when I first came here for Rowan, and the second I stopped being scared of him and started biting back, he stopped being a dick. If anyone can turn his shit attitude around, it’s you.”
“Bite back,” I say, taking in her advice and mulling it over, because at the end of the day, I really do need this job. I already disappointed Grant enough; I can’t imagine what kind of face he would make when I told him I quit two jobs within a week of each other. “So, he’s like a surly kid who needs to be stood up to?”
She grins. “Exactly. See? I knew you were perfect for this job.”
I smile at her and some of that unease leaves my chest.
Because a surly kid, I can handle. He can act like a surly five-year-old who thinks he can one-up the grown-up in the room: if there was one thing I am good at, it’s cheering my way through even the most glum of people.
Sutton spends the next three hours setting me up in the system and giving me access to a full folder of videos that give me step-by-step instructions on how to do just about everything I’ll need to do while working here. It’s a relief, because it means I probably won’t have to bug anyone too much to do my job. Next, she gives me a list of the tasks she’s been working on to gear up to the grand opening, all of which seem relatively simple.
Contact local news and papers to inquire about ad placement and whether they would be interested in covering the grand opening at the beginning of next month.
Sorting through applications for different positions.
Ask the recreation department about lifeguard permitting and requirements.
Call the township about the liquor license.
Check in with Taylor Contracting and get an update on final timelines.
“Okay, do you think you’re good to take over for now? I have to head up to Hudson City…” She checks her watch and curses. “Ten minutes ago, but I’ll be back later this week.”
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry, I?—”
“No, no, Rowan is used to my being late. I’m never on time for anything. I like to keep him on his toes.”
I shake my head and laugh.
“How have you not been fired?”
“Because I’m amazing at my job, and he’d be lost without me,” she says with a lift of her shoulder. “Anyway, there are donuts in the break room, though I wouldn’t be surprised if your brother’s guys have already demolished them all.”
I give her a big hug and a thank you before waving her off, and we agree to meet at the end of the week at the Seabreeze for drinks and to give her updates on how the week went before she’s out the door.
I spend approximately three minutes panicking about what the hell I just got myself into, then take a deep breath, get to work, watch a few how-to videos, and get a few small things done. In my inbox, I already have four emails from Graham, asking me to handle different tasks, and I write them down on my to-do list before deciding to refill my water bottle in the break room.
Graham is in there, steadfastly ignoring me as he makes a coffee. I wave, and he looks right through me, but I brush it off, opening the box of donuts. As Sutton predicted, the box is nearly empty, but there’s one of my favorites left: a chocolate-frosted donut with rainbow sprinkles.
See? Everything works out for me.
Even if I feel completely out of my depth.
Taking in a deep breath, I view it as a sign to be brave and address the elephant in the room. But when I shift my gaze to Graham, he’s already grabbed his coffee and is halfway out the door before I can say anything at all.
By the end of the day, I’ve finished all the onboarding information that was sent to me, gotten relatively familiar with where everything is, and completed two of the six tasks heassigned me. At four-thirty, I finally get the nerve to knock on Graham’s door.
“Yes?” his deep voice calls through the heavy door. Despite my better judgment, it sends a shiver through me. I try to shake it off quickly before opening the door and stepping in just a bit.
“I, um. I’m gonna head out for the day, if that’s okay?” I ask, fighting the desire to bite my lip. He looks at the corner of his screen and his brow furrows as if he’s confused, though he still doesn’t look in my direction.
“Aren’t you out of here at four?”
