Page 290 of The Maxwell Brothers
"Oh, I'm so excited. Where is it?" I held my breath in anticipation.
“It's near Millennium Park."
"That's a prime location."
"It is, and it's also in your budget. The only trick is they want us to see it today. I got us an appointment in one hour."
"What? Today? But I’m at work."
"I thought you might say that. Is there any way you can move things around? It's a very coveted location. They could barely squeeze us in."
I cursed inwardly. "Let me try to talk to my boss. I’ll get back to you.”
“Sure.”
After hanging up, I bit my lower lip, making a mental plan. Richard was going to be pissed. Honestly, I would be too if an employee decided to walk out in the middle of a workday. But this was the first place the realtor had found me inmonths. I couldn’t pass it up.
Rolling my shoulders, I left the pantry.
“I’ll be right back,” I told my colleagues, heading out of the kitchen. Richard was usually in the back office, dealing with administrative stuff. Fortunately, his door was open, and he was standing in front of the printer.
“Hey, Richard. Can I come in for a second?”
“Sure. Anything wrong?”
"Listen, I told you how I want to open my bakery, right?”
He nodded.
“My realtor called and said he wants to show me a great space. I have to be there in an hour."
Richard narrowed his eyes. "You better not want to walk out right now. I need you here to do your work."
“I understand, and I don’t want to leave you in the lurch, but I’ll come right back after I see the space. Otherwise, I’ll lose it. The only opportunity is now.”
“You’re not committed at all to this job.”
His comment was unexpected and hurtful. I blinked repeatedly, shocked that he’d come to that conclusion after all the months I’d worked for him. “You know that’s not true. The only other time I missed a shift was when you sent me home because I’d burned myself the day before.”
“Liz, you know I demand loyalty from my employees. I don’t think that’s too much to ask. So, if you’re not taking this job seriously, I’ll have to find someone else.”
I stared at him.You’re going to let me go? Well, fuck you.
“Iamtaking it very seriously. But I also told you from the very beginning that as soon as I find a location for my bakery, I’ll leave. Not that I’m leaving now—I’m looking at the property—but either way, you know how hard I’ve worked for you.”
“Should I consider this your notice?”
Fuck you twice. It was on the tip of my tongue to say it out loud, but I had to be reasonable. Things might not work out, and I’d still need this job.
“No, Richard. I can’t know for sure if I’ll get the space. And even then, I’d give you time to find someone else before I left.”
“Fine. Get out of here.”
I smiled politely, knowing it was best if I didn’t open my mouth.
“And don’t bother coming back today. I’ll have someone step in for you and do two jobs.”
I knew that last dig was to make me feel guilty for overworking one of my colleagues. Richard was such a tool.
