Page 22 of Rejected By the Alpha

I couldn’t help the anger and sadness that arose as I heard him talk about how he had managed to make a dream of his come true in my absence. While I had been abandoned and alone in Sparkle Hollow, he had been off starting a new business and making a home for himself.

“Yeah,” I said noncommittally.

“Would you like a tour?” he asked.

I nodded, and he started to show me around the establishment. I had to admit, he had done a great job with the place. It was tastefully decorated, impeccably clean, and well-stocked. The entire place was upscale enough to attract visitors to town without being off-putting to local clientele looking for a more relaxed atmosphere. Overall, I was impressed. Although I was still slightly bitter, I was glad for him.

“It’s a really nice place,” I remarked as we made our way back to the front of the building.

“Actually, now that you’re here, I have an idea,” Killian said. “I’ve been wanting to bring on another part-time person to help with the busy nights and fill in for some of the other staff members if they need some time off. You had mentioned wanting to get a job sometime. Would you want the position?”

I raised an eyebrow at him for extending the offer so quickly. “Don’t you need to see my resume or conduct an interview? Maybe call some references?”

Killian laughed at my sarcasm. “I think I’ve got all the information I need to make a decision about hiring you, Leah.”

He seemed so confident, so friendly and inviting. It wasn’t that he had changed necessarily, but that I was focusing on a different part of the man I had known before. I was intrigued to learn more about this new side of him.

“Then you know my answer,” I replied.

“Great,” he said, grinning. “You start tomorrow.”

Chapter 11 - Killian

There was no doubt in my mind that Leah would excel in her role at the bar, but when she showed up the following afternoon, she looked apprehensive.

“Are you sure you want me working here?” she asked, tying a black apron around her waist.

“One hundred percent,” I replied. “Now, follow me, and I’ll show you where everything is. We still have about an hour until we open, which should be plenty of time to show you the ropes. I should warn you, tonight will be busy. Saturdays always are. But it’ll start slow and build up, so I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

Leah didn’t look convinced, but I couldn’t let her doubt affect her abilities. I needed to help her get some confidence before the customers showed up.

“We’ll have two other waitresses tonight since it’s your first day, but we usually just have two on the weekends and one on weekdays,” I explained. “The cook and assistant cook will be in the back. We just serve appetizers and bar food, really, but the cook is amazing. Me and another bartender will make drinks.”

I showed her where to bring food and drink orders, and the register the waitresses used to cash out checks. Leah surprised me by memorizing the entire food menu in less than five minutes. She was well on her way to memorizing the specialty drinks and beers on tap by the time the rest of the employees arrived.

“I’m impressed,” I said, squeezing her shoulder affectionately.

I saw a slight smile creep onto her face as I greeted the rest of the crew and set everyone about their tasks.

“Leah, do you want to shadow Jillian tonight while you learn the ropes?” I asked. "Or do you think you’re good to go on your own?”

“Surprisingly, I think I’ll be okay on my own,” she said.

“If you end up needing any help, just ask anyone. We all want you to do well here,” Jillian called out to her.

Leah smiled back, and I felt hope that her nervousness had subsided. I believed in her; I just hope she believed in herself.

As I had promised, the next few hours were a slow and steady trickle of customers. Leah was in her element. She smiled and joked with the customers so much, I began to doubt my decision to have her work just part-time. She was keeping everyone happy, including the staff. It felt like she was the missing piece to our puzzle.

But even more than that, I was glad for the opportunity to observe her without her noticing. She wasn’t flashy or in-your-face, but there was an aura of fun that surrounded her that infected the entire establishment. Even me.

“You don’t seem like your usual serious self tonight, Killian,” one of my patrons observed as I poured him a shot of whiskey at the bar.

“No?” I said. “Must just be something in the air.”

“Aye, I know what it is,” he replied. He turned to look at Leah and raised an eyebrow before winking in my direction.

“Alright, that’s enough from you,” I said with a laugh. “Don’t tease me too much, or I might stop bringing my wife into work.”

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