Gage smirks and nods. “That’s really cool of you.” He reaches into the drawer and pulls out four small books. “These are how we schedule. Jase likes to keep it simple.” He rolls his eyes.
“How long do I block off for each appointment?”
“It varies depending on the size of the tattoo. For now, just block off three-hour time slots and highlight the appointments you make in yellow so we can go back and double check them. Ask them what they’re looking to get, and jot it down. It will help us, so we know what to expect. If they want something custom designed, you schedule a consultation and that’s only thirty minutes.”
“Got it,” I say, repeating all of what he just said over in my head. Three hours, write down what they want, half-hour consultations.
“Oh, and if it’s a piercing, let them know we only do walk-ins. They usually only take about twenty minutes.”
“Okay.” I nod my head once in understanding. The phone beeps, indicating there’s another call coming in while the other line is on hold.
“You sure you got it?”
“Yep! You go draw and I’ll handle this,” I say with a wink.
Gage chuckles. “Alright, you want me to let Jase know you’re here?”
“Actually, how about we just keep it between us? I’m sure eventually he’ll come out and find me.”
“Ha!” He laughs harder. “Okay, you got it.”
When he walks away, I answer the phone and put the caller on hold. Then I go back to the other line and schedule the appointment. Once I hang up, taking the phone with me in case it rings, I walk around the room and take down everyone’s information. There are several walk-ins, but Gage didn’t tell me how to handle them, so I treat them all like appointments and schedule them in.
The place is busy and time flies. I turn off the main ringer so the guys and Willow aren’t bothered while they’re working. Instead, it only rings on the phone I’m using. At some point, Willow comes out, and I introduce myself. She’s really sweet and thanks me for helping out. I learn she handles most of the walk-ins and piercings, and when one comes in to let her know. Jase and Jax are completely booked with appointments, and Gage has a mixture of both walk-ins and appointments.
It’s seven o’clock when a pretty brunette walks in and requests Jase. She’s dressed in tiny cutoff jean shorts and a barely there tank top. She has several tattoos covering her arms and legs, as well as one peeking out from the front of her top over her breast. Looking at his book, I see he’s booked solid for the next week. “I’m sorry but he’s booked. I can get you in with Willow or Gage in about an hour.” I take a look at Jax’s book. “Or Jax has availability tomorrow at five.”
“Okay, well, could I just go back and see him real quick?” She winks dramatically, and it takes everything in me not to smack her or throw up all over her.
“He’s with someone right now,” I say politely, remembering my manners. “I can let him know you’re here, though. What’s your name?”
“I’m actually hoping to surprise him.” She blows a bubble and it pops. I do my best not to cringe.
“Okay…You’re more than welcome to wait.” I point to the couch. “He should be done in the next hour.”
“Thanks,” she says before she saunters over to the couch and plops down, pulling out her cell phone.
For the next hour, I stay busy—ignoring the skank still waiting for Jase—scheduling some more people and organizing the desk. Margie would seriously be so proud of me right now. I also place several ads into the online classifieds for a receptionist, putting my number and email so Jase won’t be bombarded with calls and emails. Once I weed out the duds, I’ll give him the info of all the serious applicants.
When Willow and Gage both finish up with their last appointments for the day, they thank me for taking over, and confirm their appointments for tomorrow, before they head out—leaving only Jax and Jase still with clients, and little miss skank still waiting on the couch.
When the clock hits eight and it’s officially closing time, I consider whether I should go back and tell Jase or just kick her out. Figuring I should be the bigger person, I walk over to the door to lock it, in case anyone tries to come in, before I head back to let Jase know someone is here to see him. But before I make it to the door, miss skank stands and starts heading toward the back.
“Umm…excuse me,” I say with a fake smile plastered on my face. “You can’t go back there.”
“Oh, well, I thought you were leaving.” She shrugs. “And who are you? The Jase police?” She scoffs.