Drunk Girl Read online

“Not at all. She’s so laid-back and easy to talk to,” I tell my brother honestly. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, so I pull it out to check who’s trying to reach me.

  Ash: I got an interview this afternoon at 2. I’ll call you when I’m done. Wish me luck!

  Nick: That’s awesome! Good luck, whoever it is will be lucky to have you. Can’t wait to hear how it goes. Where is it at?

  Ash: It’s with the temp agency I called. They have a receptionist position they need to fill for a client.

  Nick: That’s awesome, Ash! Good luck!

  Ash: Thanks! ;) I’m rushing around trying to get ready for it. I’ll text or call you later.

  I slip my phone back in my pocket and look up to see my brother staring at me from across the desk.

  “Damn, boy, you are a goner.”

  “So what. You’re the same damn way with Katie,” I tell him.

  “Did I hear my name?” my sister-in-law says as she walks in the office, Starbucks cup in hand.

  “Just reminding this one,” I say, pointing at her husband, “that he is putty in your hands. He’s giving me shit over a girl.”

  “Oooh… tell me more,” she says, rounding the desk and sitting on Kaiden’s lap.

  “I’m seeing someone, her name is Ashley. You met her the other night.”

  “I got that much,” she muses. “Hey, hands off. You said you didn’t want anything when I offered,” she says to Kaiden as he tries to steal her cup.

  “That’s because you always share with me,” he says, pretending to pout and she gives in, laughing as he takes her cup.

  “Okay, can we get down to business?” I ask, breaking up their moment.

  “Yep.” Kaiden kisses his wife quickly, then helps her stand and hands back her coffee cup.

  “I’ll leave you boys to take care of things. I’m going to go get some stuff done at home. I want to meet this girl, get to know her outside of the bar. Make sure she’s good enough for you,” she says to me.

  “I’ll see what we can do. Maybe the four of us can do dinner sometime soon.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Wednesday night would work for us,” she says, pointing between her and Kaiden.

  “I’ll see if that works for her schedule,” I say to her retreating back, then turn back to Kaiden, all-business. “Okay, so how was the weekend?”

  “It was a good one. I’ve got the sales data already input into QuickBooks and am working on the deposits. We profited a few grand this weekend, a nice increase over last weekend, as we’ve successfully done the past six weeks in a row. We’re on par to more than double our income this year. I’m really happy with our success. The advertising we’ve done has really been paying off these last few weeks. We should have done it a long time ago, but we can’t turn back time now.”

  “I’m glad to hear that this weekend was so profitable. It sure was busy in here on Friday and Saturday night.”

  “I’ve started putting together the ad we talked about last week to start advertising for the open bartender position. I’d like to get that filled sooner rather than later, if we can. We might even consider hiring two new people, and another server for the floor for the busy nights.”

  “Can we afford all that?” I question Kaiden.

  “I wouldn’t be suggesting it if we couldn’t. None of those positions would be full-time, so no benefits would be provided. But I think having more staff will help eliminate the stress on us some and will allow us to serve customers that much faster, which will help us attract more patrons. Word of mouth will get out, and I think we’ll continue to see an increase in our profit, even with the additional payroll. We might take a hit at first, but I think it really is the best move for us.”

  “You’ve obviously crunched the numbers, and you’ve never led me wrong with them thus far. So, I say we go ahead with your plan and look to add three new employees.”

  “I knew you’d see things my way,” he says on a laugh.

  “What are your thoughts on us looking into finding a space to start the brewery portion of our business? I was talking to Ashley about it a little last night, and that got me thinking about it again. I know we’d put it on our five-year plan, but with how well things are going, do you think we could move it up?”

  “Potentially. Can you pull together a rough estimate on what it will cost us to get it up and off the ground, and we can see how things look after we’ve hired the new employees? Get basic costs on everything, from the rent of space to all the equipment and ingredients to get the first batch going.”

  “That, I can do,” I assure him, excited our business is doing so well and that we might be able to move forward with the part I’m most passionate about. “Did you have anything else to go over with me?”

  “Nope, that was all.”

  “Sounds good, I’ll get you those numbers pulled together. For now, I’m going to go move stuff around in the stockroom so it’s ready for the delivery tomorrow morning.”

  “I’ll come help you,” he says, pushing back from his desk and standing.

  “Thanks.”

  It takes us an hour or so to move all the stock around and get everything ready for our weekly order to arrive. “Looks like we went through a lot more rum this past weekend than we anticipated. I’ll call and see if we can add to our order for tomorrow,” Kaiden says once we’re done.

  “Yeah, we had that large party order two full bottles on top of what we normally go through. I’m thinking that we should add a pre-order option for large parties like that. Gives us the heads-up that they’re going to want bottle service so we can make sure we’ve got the stock on hand.”

  “I like that idea,” he says, nodding. “I’ll pass it on to Katie as a suggestion. I’m sure she’d agree to it. Then we can have her give us a heads-up whenever we’ve got a party booked, so we can add their order to the delivery, if necessary.”

  “Sounds like a plan. If we’ve got nothing else going on around here, I’m going to take off. I need to grout the shower today, if possible.”

  Kaiden pulls me in for a quick man-hug. “Get out of here. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “I’ll talk to Ashley about dinner on Wednesday and text you later.”

  “Good idea. You know if you don’t, Katie will be on your ass until you do.” He laughs.

  10

  Ashley

  “Thank you so much, Ashley, for coming in today on such short notice. After looking over your application, I thought you might be the perfect candidate for this open position one of our clients is desperate to fill,” Jackie, the owner of the temp agency, tells me after I’m seated in her office.

  “Not a problem at all, thank you for calling me back and in for an interview.”

  “So, I know you’ve mostly worked in the restaurant business as a server, but I see here that you’ve taken some college courses and noted that you have an interest in counseling. Can you tell me a little bit about that interest?”

  “Sure! When I first went to college, my plan was always to get my degree in Psychology. Some things happened that derailed my plans, but my desire to help people overcome their difficulties is still there. I haven’t had the opportunity to return yet to finish that degree, but one day, I will.”

  “That’s great. The reason I ask is because the open position is for a counseling office. They are looking for a long-term employee. The placement is a conditional placement, meaning that for the first thirty days, you’d be an employee of the temp agency. If, after that period, both you and the HR manager feel like you’re a good fit, you’d be offered an employment contract directly from them and, if accepted, would transition to be a direct employee of their company.”

  “That sounds amazing,” I tell her before we launch into more basic interview questions for the next twenty minutes or so.

  “Well, Ashley, I think you’d be a great fit for this job. The hours are normal business hours, for the most part—Monday through Thursday, eight a.m. to four thirty p.m., with a half-ho
ur lunch. On Fridays, they are open from eight a.m. until one p.m. The pay through us is eighteen dollars an hour, and they would like me to fill the position as soon as tomorrow, if possible. What do you think? Is this something that would interest you?”

  “Absolutely! And I can start tomorrow.”

  “That’s great. I’ll alert the HR manager, Mandy, and send over your information. I’ll print you off some information on the company and where to report to tomorrow morning. The dress code is business casual, and they allow jeans on Fridays,” Jackie tells me.

  I’m so excited I’ve been offered such an incredible job, I’m about ready to bounce out of my seat. But I keep it together, knowing I can freak out once I get out to my car.

  “Here you go, dear,” Jackie says, handing me a piece of paper a moment later. “I’ll have to fill out the direct deposit and W-4 paperwork before you leave here today, so that we can get you entered into the system for payroll. We pay on a weekly basis, so your first paycheck will be for whatever hours you work this week. Our pay weeks are Monday through Sunday and are paid the following Friday of each week, so you’ll get your first paycheck next Friday. Mandy will send me your hours, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

  “Thank you so much. I can’t tell you enough how much this job means to me. I won’t let you or Mandy down,” I tell her wholeheartedly.

  “That’s what I love to hear. As I said before, I just have this feeling that you’re going to be the perfect fit for this position.”

  “Thanks for that confidence. I really appreciate this chance,” I tell her one last time before she sees me out of her office.

  “Susan, can you please give Ashley, here, the new hire paperwork? She’ll be filling the receptionist position for Healing Touch Counseling.” Jackie addresses the receptionist in her office, then turns back to me. “Ashley, it was great to meet you, and please call me if you have any issues with the placement.”

  “Thank you, it was nice to meet you, as well.”

  She retreats back to her office, and Susan hands me a clipboard with a few sheets of paper on them.

  “Just bring these back to me once you’ve finished them and you’ll be all set. If you don’t have a paper check to void, the routing and account numbers, along with the bank name, will be just fine for the direct deposit part.”

  “Thank you.” I take the clipboard and then find a seat in the waiting area. It only takes me a few minutes to complete the paperwork and hand it back to her. I can’t keep the huge smile from my face as I leave the office and head for my car.

  I drive straight for Nick’s house, and am thankful his truck is in the driveway when I pull in. I’m still on cloud nine about my job and want to tell him in person. As soon as I park, I shut off my car and beeline it for his front door. I know we had a great time together yesterday, but I don’t feel like I can just walk into his house, so I knock loudly while ringing the doorbell at the same time.

  I’m bouncing on the balls of my feet when he finally opens the door.

  “Hi!” he says in greeting, pulling me into his arms. “How’d the interview go?”

  “I got the job!” I squeal into his ear. “Sorry, that was a bit loud,” I apologize after he winces.

  “That’s awesome, babe!” he says, squeezing me tighter. “Where is the job at?”

  “Healing Touch Counseling, as their receptionist. I start tomorrow!”

  “That’s great, I’m proud of you! We’ll have to celebrate for dinner tonight,” he says, setting me back down on my feet.

  “Sure. I’ll just need to call it a night early, since I need to be well-rested for work tomorrow. I start at eight.”

  “Do you want to stay here again tonight? We could stop by your mom’s place and pick up what you’ll need for tonight and tomorrow. I’ll promise to let you sleep tonight,” he says, a devilish look on his face.

  “Sure, you will.” I laugh as I smack his chest.

  “I promise I’ll be good. I just know you said that my bed was more comfortable than yours, and I sure didn’t mind having you in it last night,” he replies, leaning in and kissing my neck.

  “You sure know how to convince me. Dirty tactics, sneaking in and kissing my neck,” I tell him as I squirm against him.

  He grins. “Just trying to win you over, baby.”

  “I guess you’ve convinced me,” I tell him a moment later, then notice he’s kinda dirty. “What were you doing before I showed up?”

  “Grouting the shower. Did you want to come see what I’ve done so far?”

  “Yes! Anything I can help with?”

  “Nope, especially not in those clothes.” He points to what I’ve got on. “I’m almost done anyways, so there isn’t much that you could do. Just sit in here and keep me company,” he says as I step into the bathroom.

  “Nick,” I say, “it’s beautiful! I can’t wait until the entire room is done. It’s going to be incredible.”

  “Thanks. We’ll have to christen it once the grout has dried and can get wet,” he says, winking at me.

  “I look forward to it,” I tell him, and the look in his eye tells me he wishes that moment was right fucking now.

  I sit on a bucket in the corner, away from the grout, and watch as he finishes up the last bit, which takes him about twenty more minutes. “I think that does it,” he says, standing back up after setting his sponge down. He twists from side to side, stretching his back from being bent over and working.

  “It looks really good. Is your back bothering you? Need me to massage it for you?”

  “Just a little sore. I’m not used to being crouched down like this for so long. But I’ll never turn down having your hands on me,” he says before bending down to kiss me.

  “Of course you wouldn’t,” I say against his lips.

  “What do you want to do for dinner? I can grill us something or we can go out. Whatever you want. We’re celebrating you tonight.”

  “I think you cooking for me sounds perfect. Time to impress me with your culinary skills.”

  “Oh, I’m here to impress,” he says, squeezing my hip. “Let’s go grab what you’ll need for tonight and tomorrow, and then swing by the store to pick up some steaks for me to grill.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” I stand and follow him out of the bathroom, then sit on the edge of his bed and watch him strip his work clothes off before pulling a clean t-shirt and pair of shorts on.

  “You’re drooling,” he says, looking over at me with a smirk.

  “I am not,” I state, then wipe a hand across my lip, just to make sure.

  “You could have been, and I made you check,” he says, cackling as he approaches the bed where I’m perched. He crowds my space, boxing me in as he places an arm down on the bed on either side of me. “I think someone was enjoying the view in front of her.” He brings his lips to my cheek, then moves over to my neck, and nips at my earlobe.

  “Maybe.” I moan slightly at the sensation his lips against my skin evoke.

  “Maybe, my ass. Someone was ready to strip out of her clothes and climb me like a tree,” he replies against my skin as he nips at my neck.

  “Okay, Mr. Cocky.” I push him back gently. “Enough of that. You promised me some dinner and if we don’t get a move on, I have a feeling that we’ll never get out of here.”

  “I promise to feed you before I make you scream my name later.”

  “Someone is sure full of himself,” I say on a laugh.

  “You’ll be full of me later, baby. That, I can promise,” he says, then helps me stand, wrapping his arm around my waist. He slaps me on the ass then kisses me hard on the lips. “Let’s get moving.”

  We head out to his truck, stopping at my apartment first.

  “Hey, Mom,” I say as we enter the apartment.

  “Glad to know you’re alive,” she states from her spot at the table in the kitchen.

  “Sorry.” I know I haven’t really kept her informed as to when I was going to be home latel
y, not that I even knew myself. “Mom, this is Nick. Nick, this is my mom, Donna.”

  “Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Nick greets her, holding out his hand.

  “Nice to meet you,” she replies as she accepts his hand. “You the reason my daughter hasn’t been home much since moving in?”

  “Guilty as charged,” he tells her, a smirk on his face.

  “I got a job today,” I tell my mom, changing the subject, which brings her attention back to me.

  “Ashley, that’s great news! Where at?” she asks.

  “Healing Touch Counseling, as a receptionist. I got it through a temp agency that I applied with.”

  “Is it a long-term position?” she questions, and I tell her everything Jackie explained to me earlier today.

  “I’m proud of you,” she replies, when I finish. “I hope it works out well for you.”

  “Thanks, Mom, I’m excited for it. I start tomorrow. They needed someone as soon as possible, so it was a perfect fit, and Nick is making me a celebratory dinner tonight because of it. We just stopped by so I could pick up some things that I’ll need for my first day.”

  “Have a good night, then. Call me tomorrow and tell me how things go on your first day.”

  “I will,” I promise my mom and then take off for my room. I grab a small duffel bag and toss in some lounge clothes, some panties and bras, a couple t-shirts, shorts, and a pair of jeans, before I rummage through my closet and pull out the few business casual outfits I have. I’ll have to get creative with mix and matching the items until I can afford to buy some new clothes.

  “Need any help?” Nick asks as he sits on the bed, watching me toss everything into the bag.

  “Nope, I’m good,” I tell him, remembering to dig through my closet for a few pairs of shoes. One last trip into the bathroom to grab my makeup bag and toiletry bag and I’m ready to go.

  I get everything to somehow fit into the duffle and zip it closed. “I’m all ready. I figured I’d bring a few extra things, just in case I end up back at your place tomorrow night or later this week,” I tell him, as my cheeks pink.