Just…poof!Gone.
He got away, and she’d ended up serving a little over a year in a minimum-security women’s correctional facility. And for the rest of her life, she’d be known as a felon.
“It was enough to get me with intent to sell,” Rose reminded Brooke. “And when no one else would hire me, your cousin did.”
Her cousin being the restaurant’s previous manager.
“Yeah, well…” Brooke gave a shoulder a casual shrug. “How could I not recommend you? You were always so sweet to me every time I came into that crappy little coffee shop down the block from my old apartment. And I could tell just from the times I was in there you’d be a hard worker. Which is exactly what I told Brian when he was desperate to fill an open server spot.”
“I still can’t believe he hired me on the spot.”
Kinda hard to make yourself marketable when you’re a felon crashing on people’s couches or using a shelter as your permanent address.
“Like I said, Brian was desperate.” The other woman smirked. “Anyway, that was like, what…three months ago? And look at you now! Not only are you doing great, but I overheard Marie talking on the phone with Mr. Valdez the other day about how perfectly you fit in here.”
“Really?” Rose couldn’t help but smile.
“Really. So stop stressing. And, as much as I appreciate it, please stop thanking me.” Brooke took Rose’s hands in hers and gave them a friendly squeeze. “I may have made the introductions, butyou’rethe one who put in the work to not only keep this job, but you’ve also done it well enough to impress the boss.”
Warmth spread throughout her as she accepted the truth in her friend’s words. Losing the job at the coffee shop two years ago had truly been a blessing in disguise. For several reasons.
One of those was standing right beside her. Another had moved away nearly a year ago.
Damn, I sure do miss you, Ol.
The clanging sound of metal coming together echoed throughout the small space as she slammed her locker shut and replaced the cheapest combination padlock money could buy. “Hopefully, I’ve impressed them enough to bump me to full-time. But until then, I’ll take every extra shift they offer. Besides, it’s not like my social calendar is exactly busting at the seams.” Most guys worth her time and effort tended to shy away from a woman with little money and a record. “And you and I both know customers always tip better on the weekends.”
“Okay, that’s fair.” The woman’s long, wavy ponytail bounced with a nod. But then her blue eyes softened, and Brooke’s expression grew serious. “But listen. I know you just got moved into your new apartment a couple of days ago, and you probably have a laundry list of things you need to buy for the place, but…”
“But?”
A soft sigh escaped Brooke’s lips as they curved into a friendly smile. “I know you’ve had to fight tooth and nail for what you have. I get it. Just…do yourself a favor, and don’t get so caught up with stressing about money that you forget to actuallyenjoyall the good things that are finally coming your way.”
Easy for her to say. Unlike Brooke, Rose didn’t have a live-in boyfriend to help pitch in on the bills. But she both understood what her friend was trying to say and appreciated the thought behind the sentiment.
“Thanks, but you don’t need to be worrying about me. I’m fine. Andyouhave a vacation to start, remember? Now go.” She pulled the other woman in for a hug. “Get out of here and finish packing so you’re ready for all that fun in the sun. Just don’t forget to send me pics of the amazing scenery while you’re gone. You know, so I can live vicariously through you.”
“You know I will.” Brooke hugged her back with a tight squeeze. “And remember, if something happens with the new place, you’ve got my spare key.”
“You gave me that key so I could water your plants and get your mail. Not so I can squat in your and Cal’s apartment.”
“I’m just sayin’…”
“So am I…” Rose teased.
“Wait, aren’t you heading out, too?”
“In a minute. I’m going to hit the bathroom first, then I’m gone.” She gave a tiny chuckle. “Pretty sure I overdid it on the diet soda today.”
“Okay, then.” Brooke turned and waved over her shoulder as she walked to the door. “Guess I’ll see you when I get back.”
“Have fun!” Rose wished her friend well.
She waited until the other woman was gone before making her way to the very back of the room, where the employee restrooms were tucked away. A few short minutes later, Rose was back inside the breakroom and heading for the restaurant’s back exit when someone called out her name.
With a quick glance over her shoulder, she saw Marie Delgado, La Cocina’s new manager, walking toward her. Her boss waved with a smile to catch her attention, the woman’s heels clicking in swift, echoing steps.
“Oh, good! I’m so glad I caught you before you left.”