One Night Was All It Took: Season 2 "One Week Was All It Took"

Dirty Dishes

Looking around the kitchen, I notice the utility closet open, so she isn't in there. Maybe she was in the crowd, and I just didn't see her. There is no way in hell she and Derek have anything going on between each other. She doesn't even like Derek. And why am I so overly concerned about not being able to find her?

Pushing through the kitchen doors and walking back into the bar my eyes immediately catch Rya serving a table. I exhale a relaxed breath. I have no idea why I got so worked up over not finding her.

She quickly glances at me, and I wave my hand, gesturing to her to come over to me. Looking over, I see Jared flicking his fingers at the counter and picking up small pieces of straw wrappers and cherry stems. He's taking this 'bar manager' thing to his head already.

"She can have that paperwork crap." He says while swiping his hand across the counter. "I don't want to do any of that auditing and payroll. I don't care about any of that. I'll just boss the people around like a good boss does."

He's not going to last long as a manager if he has that kind of attitude toward it. Jared is like a brother to me, but the one downfall he has always had was thinking that his 'shit' doesn't stink. We only became close friends because of our always arguing. "

Babes!" Rya yells, holding up a finger. "I'll be right there!"

She slides the glass back to her customer, takes the cash from him, and begins to walk back toward the cash register. She smiles, sliding her hand across my shoulder. Those little touches she does with me, that's the things Natalia doesn't care for, but it's just friendly play.

"What's up! Babes!"

"So...I made Jared the bar manager," I say with a little bit of nervousness inside of me. I glance over, not seeing him anywhere. "Where'd he go?"

"He's out in the crowd and great for him." She says with a slight attitude. "What does this mean for me?"

Looking out into the crowd and keeping my eyes on Derek, I quickly lean into Rya, trying to be secretive. "If you will accept it, I'd love to make you, my barkeeper. I made it up, but I don't want Jared getting all mad because of how he is or whatever. He can't handle any of the paperwork. I'd pay you more than him, keeping you away from dealing with staff, he can handle the grunt work while you do the main stuff, and I will pay you very nicely."

Her smile tells me it's a yes. She leans in closer to me, knowing Jared cannot hear our conversation. She and I love Derek like a brother, but when it comes to being professional and getting things done, he's stepped up but still has a tough time being an adult.

"You don't have to explain." She says while gently nudging me. "I'd love to be the main bar person. I get it...he probably doesn't want to do the work but wants to boss people around."

"Yes!" I admit. "He already knows not to mess around with you. He will just boss everyone else around. I don't have the heart to tell him I don't find him capable of getting the main part of the job done. He admits he can't do what needs to be done. But he believes he has every other strength to get the job done. Truly babes! Thank you."

"You're welcome!" She says with a sly smile on her face. "I am curious though, how much more will I make?"

"How much are you making right now?" I ask, turning to the register to check on our daily sales.

"Not including tips, fifteen an hour. If you include tips..." She pauses. She glances up, narrowing her eyes, giving her a questioning look. "I would guess close to twenty."

Glancing around the bar filled with people, my mind is wandering, trying to figure out what I should pay this hard-working woman. She's worth every dollar. Next to Natalia, Rya is the closest person I have, which is ironic considering in the past we didn't always see eye to eye.