“Nope.” Another smile. “You would be working as the lead hostess at one of Mr. Valdez’s other establishments.”
Hostess?
Excitement leaped through her as Rose thought about what that meant. A hostess position would put her front and center with customers as they walked in. Tips wouldn’t come directly to her anymore, but if Mr. Valdez ran the other restaurant like hedid La Cocina, a percentage of the night’s tips would go to both her and the bartender at the end of every shift.
Hostess meant no more waiting tables. No more stress about tripping and dumping someone’s food and drink all over them or someone else. No more worrying about whether she remembered a customer’s special request correctly or trying to manage eight tables at once.
Uh…yes, please!
“You want me to be a hostess?”
“Lead hostess, yes.” Marie reiterated. “I’ve been watching you these last few months, Rose. And I must say, I am very impressed with both your work ethic and your customer service skills. The way in which you interact with the customers here makes them feel as comfortable as if they are sharing a meal with family and friends in their homes rather than a restaurant. This is exactly the kind of environment Dante envisioned when he created La Cocina. I passed this along to him a few days ago, and tonight he called and requested a meeting.”
“A…meeting?”
“A formality, I assure you. The job is already yours if you want it. But since the new position requires you to work directly with Mr. Valdez, he wanted to meet you in person. Introduce himself, answer any questions you might have about salary, benefits…that sort of thing.”
Salary? Benefits?
Salary meant more money. And benefits…
I’ve never had things like health insurance or sick days before.
Excitement flourished. On the inside, Rose was jumping up and down with an idiotic squeal. Things like this didn’t happen to her. People like Brooke, sure. But not her.
I can’t wait to tell Olly!
Olly, technically Oliver, was her other best friend and the only man she’d ever truly trusted. Though they’d only known each other three years, he’d become a staple in her life. The big brother she never had and someone she could always turn to for advice.
Honest, no-bullshit advice.
Sweet, slightly older, mildly wiser, and occasionally frustrating. That was Olly. But he always told her the truth, whether it was what she wanted to hear or not. And he was always,alwaysthere when she needed him.
The only one I can ever truly count on.
Sure, he was a guy, and Rose had to admit, he was damneasy on the eyes. But their relationship had never been about that. Not for either of them.
To Rose, Olly was the big brother she’d never had. And to him, she was the little sister he was always trying to save.
Not anymore. I’m finally here, Ol! I’ve finally made it to the point in my life where I don’t need saving. Not even from myself.
Because she’d done it. Despite all the shit life had thrown her way, she’d freakingdoneit! Rose’s heart thumped hard inside her chest because…damn. She thought this day would never come.
“I truly believe you would be the perfect fit for what we are looking for.” Marie continued. “And, if things go as well as I’m expecting, there will be room to advance within Mr. Valdez’s enterprise. But since you’ll be working more directly with Mr. Valdez himself, we both thought it best to get the introductions and initial queries out of the way.”
Rose’s gaze followed the other woman’s hand as she used it to motion toward the blacked-out SUV. Still sitting in the same spot, engine running, things finally began to click into place.
Dante Valdez, owner of La Cocina and, from what she’d heard, several other successful businesses in Denver, was in that car right now. Waiting.
Watching?
Nervous energy sent her pulse racing. Rose had never met the man before, but she’d heard all about him from Brooke and some of the others.
Tall. Handsome. Rich. Intimidating.
Those were just a few of the adjectives she’d heard used when describing Mr. Valdez. And this woman thought a man like that would want to hire someone like her?
You heard what Marie said. The job’s yours if you want it.