Tom started a liquor warehouse a couple years back. He's the guy all the bars and restaurants go to for their booze. He started off small, and his business practically exploded overnight.
My phone buzzes against my hand. I'm getting a text and I'm sure it's Corrine. She probably wants more details about my boss. She's going to lose it when I tell her what happened.
“Hey, Tom, I don't want to cut you off, but I really am tired and should get some sleep before I have to be back tomorrow.”
“Yeah, no problem, I get it. Talk to you later.”
We hang up, and I open the message. Only it's not my friend. It's Monroe.
I need you to come back.
Right now, I type. He can't mean right now. It's already so late.
Yes, now. I need some extra help with prep for tomorrow.
I know I'm exhausted and need to rest, but I can't say no to my new boss. How would it look if I told him no after only one shift?
He didn't fire me for the phone incident, so I don't need to give him another reason to let me go before I even get my foot in the door.
I'm on my way.
3
Arisa
Every step feels like I'm walking on sharp rocks. The balls of my feet are raw and tender, and my heels feel like I've been slamming them against a wall for hours.
I try the handle, but the door is locked. Pressing my face against the glass, I knock. Monroe pokes his head out from the kitchen. He smiles, wiping his hands on a towel as he comes to the door and unlocks it.
“Hey, thanks for doing this,” he says as he opens the door and lets me in.
“Yeah, no problem. I'm here if you need me.”
“Good to know there's someone I can count on. Cheryl does a good job, but she's not super reliable when I need her.”
Then why is she still working here? I don't ask that out loud. But he sees the look on my face and knows exactly what I'm thinking.
“Her father is an old friend of my dad. I'm giving her some experience for now, and when she's ready, I'll help her move along.”
“Oh, that's nice of you to do that. I'm sure her father appreciates it.”
“Yeah, well, being nice in this industry doesn't get you anywhere. Which is why I'm here this late prepping for tomorrow.” Monroe smiles, resting his hand against the counter. “Anyway, we got work to do. You ready?”
“I'm always ready,” I answer.
“Good to know.” He flashes me a playful smile and wags his brows before turning to walk back to the kitchen.
Is he flirting with me?
No. Stop being stupid, Arisa. Don't read too much into anything.
Shaking off the feeling, I follow him inside. He slaps a crate of potatoes with his hand and passes me a peeler. “First things first, these need to be peeled, washed, and then stored in the fridge.”
“Done,” I say, taking the peeler. “And after this?”
“After that, I want you to brine some chicken. Then I'll show you my secret recipe for the brisket. It gets a dry rub, made of my own blend of spices, and it needs to sit for twenty-four hours before we smoke it.”
“Secret recipe?” I tilt my head and arch a brow.
“Yeah, like the Colonel and his chicken. When you try my brisket, you'll see why it's so important the recipe is kept secret.”
“So, do you keep your secret recipe locked away in some vault?” I giggle, giving him a big smile as I pick up a potato and start to strip the skin.
“Yeah, it's called my brain. Which means you can't share it with anyone else. Not even Cheryl.”
“She doesn't already know?” I ask, surprised. I would have thought she'd know it after all this time working here.
He grins, baring his perfect white teeth. “Nope, and I'd like to keep it that way.”
Why is he going to share it with me then?
He doesn't even know me. Cheryl's been here for a lot longer. It doesn't make sense to me. Most people only share their secrets with people they trust. Then it hits me, he doesn't trust her.
“My lips are sealed.”
“I hope so. Are you good at keeping secrets?” he asks, taking a step in so we're almost toe to toe.
“I guess you're going to find out now, aren't you?”
Monroe smirks and nods his head. “I guess I am. Maybe I'll have to test you first.”
He reaches past me, picking up the bucket of lemons. His arm brushes across my chest, grazing me softly. Goosebumps ripple down my arms, and I hold my breath as his eyes steady on mine.
“I'm going to squeeze these. We only use fresh lemon juice here.”
I'm not breathing. I feel my lungs start to tighten and ache. Inhaling a quick breath, I swallow hard. “Yeah, that's good. Fresh ingredients are the best.”