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“How come? From your previous job?”

“Partly. They served the usual drinks. But I like mixing cocktails, and I usually practice a lot at home.”

“What about wine?”

“I am not a connoisseur,” I tell him. “But I know more than just the basics about wine, and I usually know what to recommend if someone asks.”

“If I sent you to an actual course to become a sommelier, would you be willing to do that?”

“I would love to,” I admit, trying not to sound too excited. A job that gives me the possibility to educate myself a bit more just sounds awesome.

“What about preparing some edibles? Are you able to whip up some smaller snacks?”

“I didn’t need to do that in the bar I worked at,” I tell him honestly. “But at the club, we sometimes offered food options. I am a fast learner as well.”

Sebastian smiles. He looks like he is in his fifties. A quiet, composed gentleman who looks exactly like I’d have imagined an owner of such a bar.

“I am looking for a full-time worker,” he tells me. “The bar is getting too big for me to handle alone, and I’d need someone to help me with the paperwork, too. I only have two part-time bartenders coming in, but they only work a couple of hours a week, and it’s just not enough.”

My mouth almost drops open. A full-time employment?

“Would this be something you can see yourself doing?”

“Absolutely,” I say, sudden excitement filling me. I would have never applied to a job in such a bar if it weren’t for DeeDee. I just never saw myself in such a fancy place.

“We also have some artists frequenting us,” he explains. “Would you be able to hold a conversation with them?”

My eyes light up at that. “My best friend is an artist,” I tell him. “And my boyfriend, too. I am also pretty used to chatting about just anything from my previous job.”

Sebastian doesn’t seem to mind me mentioning that I am gay, he even nods contentedly. “I am not going to lie, Noel. You are pretty young. For the office work, I’d have preferred someone with more experience, but I need a young co-worker to mingle well with the younger crowd. You look like you would be able to get along with some of our patrons.” He eyes me thoughtfully. “Would you mind working an hour or two just to see how you hold up?”

“Absolutely! I would love to give it a shot.”

“When would you be free to do so?”

“I can take over a shift today,” I tell him. “That is, if you even need anyone today.”

He raises his brows. “Actually, today would be perfect. It’s going to be a busy evening. Are you sure this is not going to be too much for you?”

I feel like this is the moment I need to be bold and confident, so I just nod. “I am sure.”

He is going to test me to see how I cope. Hah, I am used to sleazy guys trying to grope my ass. I am pretty sure I can handle any crowd. I give Aden a brief call to tell him I am going to be home later, before letting Sebastian show me around and tell me the basics. I won’t need to do anything difficult tonight. Just mix some of the more basic drinks and get orders.

He was right when he said it would be busy. The longer the evening goes on, the more patrons drop by, but as he said, the crowd is well-behaved and overall quieter. They are here to unwind from a long day at work, not to party, though I can see some subtle flirting here and there too. I have never been shy, so improvising and making small talk come easily to me in such situations. Maybe a couple of months ago, I would have still been insecure to actually take it up with this rather elegant crowd, but it seems like being with Aden has prepared me for such a task. One of the regulars is even an art collector, and I manage to strike up a conversation with him about an exhibition he is going to visit soon.

At the end of the shift, I know I aced it. And I also know that I love the place. It’s not the loud, buzzing place I originally wanted to work at when I decided to search for a new job. It’s more quiet, but I enjoy that it’s not as loud as I am used to.

And the prospect of being able to actually learn more about this craft just makes it even better.

Sebastian shows me how to do the paperwork at the end of my shift and how to lock everything up. “Everything else can wait for later,” he tells me. “I will properly show you everything once you start working here, especially the office work. I won’t leave you all on your own at the beginning, don’t worry. As for the sommelier course, I want you to work for two to three months first, but will sign you up for one then.” A smile lights up hisface. “Well, Noel, I had high expectations, but you just exceeded them. If you want to, you can start here on Monday. I know you are a young man, I sincerely hope you don’t find this place too boring, because as for me, I can see you working here.”

Something in my chest almost explodes with joy. This is the first actual job I am going to do, which I truly want. Sure, I never dreamed of becoming a bartender, but I quite liked the work even in the shady bar. But my previous work was just a means to an end, to pay off a debt that wasn’t mine.

But today, I am actually able to choose.

And I want to work here!

“Not boring at all,” I profess. “I had so much fun today.”