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Think, think, think.Okay, I have a restaurant, just not a chef. That’s still something, right? “What’s it called?”
“Viva.”
“I’ll take it,” I blurt out as a sly plan quickly comes together in my mind.
“Great. I’ll let her know. She’ll have someone messenger over the keys. Sorry I couldn’t do more.”
“Are you kidding? Literally thank you from the depths of my soul. I can’t tell you how many calls I made today.” A lot of people tried to help me, and I’m so grateful. But Dex is the only one who came back with something tangible.
“Will this solve your whole boss problem?”
“Oh, you mean the Hydra I work for? No, I’ll need Hercules and a thick sword to handle him. But this at least helps me keep my job, so again, thank you.”
Dex laughs. “May I say, this guy is really bringing out the best in you.”
“Sarcasm?”
“Absolutely. Why don’t you just quit? Lennox and I can figure out something for you.”
Swinging my legs around on the sleek, tile floor, I move my weight to my rear and scoot backward. There’s a little clunk as I lean against a kitchen cabinet. The door won’t fully close because my pots and pans are too big for this doll-sized kitchen. Honestly, I’m making do with what I have. Yes, the apartment is too small. No, we don’t have a lot of nice things. But I’m trying to stay focused on what I do have—my sister, my health. A job, for now. Surviving means you’re still in the fight, and that’s something to be grateful for.
“I didn’t want to be a mooch.”
“I said we’d arrange a job, not a winning lottery ticket.”
“But Hessler Group is in Miami. I didn’t want to be there anymore.”
“We have remote employees, Spence.”
“None that are entry level. You require all your managers to be on-site. Your only remote positions are for board members and department directors. I’m not qualified for those positions.” I looked into this when I found out Jesse drained Charlie’s trust fund. High-level positions were not an option. I barely have a bachelor’s degree, let alone ten or more years of experience. And I certainly couldn’t work and liveonthe cruise ships. What would I do with Charlie?
“We could’ve created something.”
“I didn’t want to take advantage of my friends.”
“Well, I know for a fact that Lennox sees you more as family than a friend. And just so you’re aware, family absolutely takes advantage of family. It’s in the fine print.”
I smile into the phone. “Good to know.”
“We’re here if you need anything. If you hate your boss, quit. You’re not alone, kid.”
I know he meant it as a term of endearment, but thatword.I hate it. A kid would expect handouts and someone to swoop in and fix their life. I can’t be a kid… I have one. And I’m trying to set a good example for Charlie by showing her I can stand on my own two feet. I relied on Jesse to share the load that was mine to carry for way too long. Look how that turned out.
“Thanks, Dex.”
“No problem. All right, I’m off to the grocery store for yet another late-night chocolate mint ice cream run. Three nights in a row, now.”
I laugh. “Just buy a whole carton so you don’t have to keep running out.”
“Dude,” he says. “Iam.This baby eats like an offensive lineman, I swear. Don’t tell Lennox I told you that.”
We both burst out in laughter before ending the call.
I’ll admit, I feel a little lighter after that conversation. It’s nice to know I have a safety net if I really need it. It’d be thesimpler solution, sure. Quit on Nathan, work for my friends. I can consider it… For now, I have unfinished business.
Next on my to-do list: Address Nathan’s unanswered text.
Bosshole