“You wanted to make sure you got the job first,” Zane replied. “I understand. It’s a big step up, but you have to know that you’re ready for it.”
“I don’t have it yet. Mr. Roberts wants me to work the opening weekend welcome party to see how I do.” Her anxiety about that party was sky high, not to mention she had some work to do for the festival coming up in a few weeks. And she intended to keep up some shifts here at Trio. “I’m not quitting. Are you firing me?”
“Not at all. And I think you’ve got the job in the bag. You know Cole uses me to vet the locals he hires, right?”
She hadn’t thought about that at all. Cole Roberts spent more than half the year at his home in Dallas. His partner, Mason, worked for a law firm, so he didn’t spend as much time here as he had once. Their wife was a lovely woman who ran a charity for victims of sexual abuse. They had busy, vibrant lives, and that meant outsourcing some of their work here in Bliss. Normally the Roberts family would be at the lodge for the opening, but this year they were staying close to Dallas. This year Kate Roberts was pregnant and close to giving birth. It made sense that Cole would rely on Nate. “He had you run a background check on me?”
“I think the background check went something like me telling him he would be a fool to not give you a shot,” Zane said softly. “Lucy, you have grown so much since you started here. Waitressing is the kind of job you do on the way to your future. Unless you own the place like Callie does, and then it’s good business.”
“There’s nothing wrong with waitressing.”
“Not at all, but it’s time for you to see what else you can do. Take Cole up on his tuition assistance program.”
She wasn’t even close to thinking about that. “That’s for upper-level employees to get their master’s.”
“Says who? I don’t think that’s written down anywhere. Walk in and tell him you want to go as far as you can in his operation and you need your degree for that. Adams State offers a business degree with an emphasis on management.”
“I don’t know. I don’t… I never saw myself in college. That was more Ty and River’s thing.”
“Because they had the money to go,” Zane prompted. “Because they didn’t have family obligations that held them back. At some point it’s going to be your turn, Lucy. Don’t be afraid of it. I know that sounds dumb, but change can be unnerving. You can do a thing for so long you don’t remember how to not do it. You’re almost there, but it’s going to take something you haven’t had to do up until now. Something that’s hard as hell to do.”
“What’s that?”
“Believe in yourself. Believe in your value, and don’t be afraid to ask for what you deserve,” Zane replied. “You followed the rules because they kept your family safe. You did your job. Now break a few and make a real life for yourself. Don’t view this new job as the be-all, end-all of existence.”
“But it’s a great job. I would be in charge of all the serving staff,” she countered.
“Yeah, and then you learn how to be in charge of all of hospitality, and then you learn how to run the whole damn thing,” Zane said. “You can do it all if you want to. And you can handle those men if you want them. I’ve watched those two dumbasses cry in their beers over you for years now. Well, Michael drank beer. Ty drank whatever was the sweetest. I worry about him.”
She laughed, relief flooding her. Zane had been good to her. She’d worried about possibly telling him she was taking another job. She hated the thought of leaving him short-staffed. “I can still work some shifts here.”
“Absolutely not. If you get that job, the only time I want to see you in here is when you’re on a date with your weirdos.” Zane had the sweetest smile. “See, you tried to change the subject, but I came back to it. And don’t worry about me finding a new waitress. It’s been a while since I stole someone from Stella’s. I think Shannon might need a change of scenery.”
He was the worst. “She’s Stella’s niece.”
Zane pointed her way as though he’d made her point. “Yeah, and imagine how awful that would be.” He glanced toward the dining room. “Hey, can you take care of that table? Callie looks like she’s taking a big order, and they look impatient. Cook’s coming in soon, and then I’ll hop on tables with my wife.”
“Of course. You know if you need me, I could stay late,” she offered.
Zane backed away. “And miss your date? Never. Be brave, Lucy. And run if things get weird.”
She wasn’t sure how he thought things wouldn’t get weird. She was going on a date with two guys who up until the previous day had refused to talk to each other. One was her best friend in the world and the other was her crush. She started for the table filled with young people who could buy and sell the world.
Was she being ridiculous? If she got the job, she would be working at the same place as Ty. Well, she would be there full time and he would be around on certain shifts, but they might be living in close proximity since her job would be year round and an apartment at the resort was one of the perks. She shouldn’t jeopardize their relationship this way.
“Thank god. I thought you were never going to get over here.” The blondest of the women huffed and pushed an empty wine glass Lucy’s way. “I need another Pinot if I’m going to sit here and listen to my brothers talking about their portfolios one second more.”
“Well, you should listen because if you don’t you’re going to have to sell that Maserati Dad bought you to pay for your fillers.” A man who looked to be in his mid-twenties sat next to the woman who had spoken and sneered her way.
Yep, they were lovely.
“Please forgive my siblings,” the other blonde said. Her hair was a honey color and looked far warmer than the platinum of her sister. “They get obnoxious when they drink, but then they’re obnoxious when they’re sober, too. It’s kind of a different level of irritating. I’m Sonya, by the way.”
“You don’t have to introduce yourself to the help,” the youngest of the men said.
“I don’t know. She’s kind of pretty,” the first man replied, looking her up and down. “I’m Brock. Brock Foster. These are my brothers and sisters. Don’t mind Sonya. She’s the boring one. This is Chet. He’s barely old enough to drink, but don’t let that fool you, and Kendall is the pretty one. I’m the smart one, by the way.”
He was the smarmy one, that was for sure. “I’m Lucy and my shift is almost over, so Zane will be taking over your table. I’ll bring you all another round. Can I put in a food order for you?”
“Do you have a charcuterie board?” Kendall asked. “But only with organic meats and cheeses.”
Chet snorted. “Like you eat.”
Sonya gave her an apologetic smile. “I think we’ll skip the food. Just another round of drinks. And don’t worry about us driving. Someone’s picking us up in thirty minutes.”
That was good to know. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
She turned and walked to the bar, putting the order in. She was used to serving jerks. They always came from out of town because Zane had dealt with anyone who lived around here very quickly. The truth was she enjoyed working during the off season most of all. Things were quiet, and the tavern took on a family feel, with the locals bringing their kids in and turning Trio into a communal meeting spot.