She sighs heavily through the phone.
“We’re too small of a diner for FMLA laws to apply. You haven’t used your three sick days or your two personal days yet, so that will cover just over a third of what you need. I can get your shifts covered for the two weeks, but you won’t be able to get paid for the entire time off.”
I do some quick calculating to see how much money I’d be losing. It’ll hurt not being able to put that money in savings, but I think I can make it work.
“That’ll be ok, I’m just relieved you’re ok with letting me have the two weeks to recover. The surgery will be happening in about three weeks, so there’s time to get coverage,” I tell her gratefully.
“It’ll all work out, just get better quickly once it’s done so I can have you back,” she replies.
“Thanks, Doreen. I’ll see you tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah, see you then, sweetie.”
It’s starting to feel like my life is getting on track. I’ve been making good tips and have been able to sock away a decent amount of money since Gage doesn’t charge me rent. He refuses to, even when I’ve offered many times.
“Save your money for your list,” is his stubborn, constant answer.
His generosity is boundless, but I feel like I’m gettingthe better end of this deal. I’m working toward my goals and should be able to afford this surgery thanks to being on his insurance. He doesn’t have his bar yet, and I don’t know what else to do to help him get it other than show up and look like I’m in love with him. After the way he’s been kissing me senseless the past few days since we made out in his kitchen, the only thing difficult about that is remembering that I should not be in love with him yet.
There has to be something I can do to help him. He has that influencer coming to do some content on the bar in just over a week. While he tries to play it cool, I know it will be important for the bar based on how he talks about it. Maybe I can somehow make sure she is impressed enough to absolutely gush about the story behind it, the drinks, the food, the atmosphere. El Abrevadero is so special, and it deserves a ton of recognition.
An idea hits me that I think will perfectly capture what I want. It needs some artistic talent, though, which I do not have. Luckily, Tania is incredibly gifted at drawing anything her tattoo clients want. I quickly text her.
Hey, I have an idea for Gage that calls for some beautiful sketching. It’s for the bar. Know any excellent artists who might have time to help me this week?
Nia Bia
Always. What do you need?
Ugh, I love my sister so damn much it hurts.
Chapter 17
Gage
I’ve been deep cleaning the bar and making sure it looks perfect for the past three hours. It’s always clean, but it’s been too long since it has been scrubbed to this degree. Every glass sparkles, the tables are spotless, and the black bar top itself shines like it’s onyx or obsidian. All of the incredible smells coming from the kitchen mean our cooks are hard at work prepping. Diana will be here soon with newly printed menus, and some fresh flowers to replace the ones that are wilting.
The influencer is coming tonight, so the bar needs to be as impressive as possible. If she loves everything we offer, and posts some favorable content about the place, it could take El Abrevadero to a new level. It’s my chance to prove to my dad that I’m up to the task of taking over and keeping the bar moving forward when the time comes.
The fact that everyone is coming out to support tonight makes me incredibly grateful. My dad, Wayne, and Gina will be here of course, with Gina’s parents watching the kids. Gina got her best friend Lyra and her fiancé Taran tocome. Carlo and Tania will be here, along with Carlo’s sisters.
Celeste seems the most excited about tonight. She’s coming with Tania and Carlo, and I can’t help but notice she’s acting squirrelly. I know she’s planning something, but every time I ask what it is, she playfully glares at me and tells me to butt out of her business. Mind you, she says this sometimes after we’ve been heavily kissing, so maybe she does like me in her business alittlebit.
It’s been well over a week, and I’m still giddily reeling about how everything went down in our kitchen. The trust she showed me by opening up about what she’s been feeling, and then kissing me, is something I’ll never forget or take for granted. The kisses themselves have been haunting my dreams. She’s so passionate when she takes control, because she feels safe enough to let it out, and I can’t wait to see how much of an inferno we make if and when she’s ready to go further.
As if I summoned her with my not so innocent thoughts, she, Tania, and Carlo walk in. They take in the space with appreciative eyes, clearly noticing the extra shine going on.
“The place looks great, man,” Carlo enthuses, bringing me in for a bro hug.
Tania gives me a one armed hug since there’s a bag in her hand, and she echoes Carlo’s enthusiasm. I’m not sure whether Celeste has told her sister and Carlo that we’ve kissed, so I shift a little from foot to foot with uncertainty when it’s her turn. She takes a beat to read me too, and then her arms are around my neck. She kisses me right in front of them. Carlo lets out a hoot, causing Celeste to let go of me with one hand and flip him off behind her back. He shuts up right quick. Those luscious lips stay on mine, though.
When she sadly pulls back, Tania hands her the bag with a knowing smirk.
“Tania gets most of the credit for this, she made it based on what I gave her. I thought this would be a nice addition to the bar’s decor,” Celeste explains, clearly nervous about what I’ll think.
“You didn’t have to get me anything,” I murmur as she hands the bag to me.
“I think it’ll bring good vibes to the place. Go on, open it,” she encourages.