Page 44 of The Best Number

I blink when there’s a knock at the door sometime later. I look up to see Abby leaning against the doorframe. “How you doing, boss?”

I rub a hand over my eyes and look at the clock on my monitor. It’s nearly 1 am. “Shit, why didn’t you come and get me? Did you get rid of everyone?”

“Yeah, they were fine.” The lights would have turned up to convince people to start leaving.

“How’s the clean-up going?”

“Almost done, and I know you like to check on everyone at the end of shift so I thought I’d come and wake you from your nap.”

“Fuck, I wish. Although I’m finally up to date with the accounts and social media scheduling, so it ain’t all bad.”

I rise from my seat, grabbing my phone to shove in my pocket. It went quiet after my earlier chat with Cassidy, so I have no doubt her and Jack are deep in dreamland right now.

I follow Abby out to see the team finishing the nightly cleaning. They’ve done a great job—the bar is sparkling and the floor clean and tidy.

“Thanks, guys. It was a busy one tonight. I appreciate your help.” I look across to Abby. “Did you split the tip jar?”

“Sure did. Your split is on the end of the bar.”

I shake my head. “I wasn’t even out here for that long tonight. I don’t want it. Share it between yourselves.” I walk over to the little envelope on the bar, which she snatches out of my hand.

“Fine, let’s chuck it back in the jar as a starter for next time.” She looks round and gets nods from the team before emptying the envelope back into the jar.

“Everyone got a ride home?” I ask.

“Abby’s dropping us,” says Dan, gesturing to him and Sarah.

“Sweet, well, I’ll see you tomorrow. You’re all in tomorrow, right?”

“Sure are,” Abby says, coming up behind me and giving me a hug.

“What was that for?”

“You just looked like you needed it.” She pats my shoulder. The other two go to grab their belongings from the back room and the trio make their way over to the door.

“You gonna be long?” Abby asks. “We can wait.”

“Nah, go ahead. I’ll just lock up the office, then I’ll head out, too.” I watch as my three staff leave and flick the door locked behind them while I finish up.

Ten minutes later, I’m ready to go. I pull my phone from my pocket and wonder what to do. I shoot a text to our little group.

Me: Long shot, but is anyone up?

I should just head back to my place as I’m exhausted and not good for much else anyway. But I can’t control the quickened thump of my heart as I see ‘Jack is typing’ at the top of the chat window.

Jack: Cass is dead to the world, but I’m awake. Want me to let you in? *winking face emoji*

Me: Sounds good. Alright if I park in the visitor's bay to save me running my car home first?

Jack: Go for it. See you soon x

I drive over to Cassidy and Jack’s building and park up in the visitor’s bay. I hesitate at the main door, not wanting to wake Cassidy up by buzzing the door, so instead pull my phone out and call Jack.

He answers straight away with a whisper. “Tom?”

“Yeah, I’m outside. I didn’t want the buzzer to wake Cassidy up.”

“No worries, I’ll buzz you in. See you soon.”

---