Page 11 of Cream & Sugar
The charming sod winks at me again before turning tail and heading for the door. I watch as he holds it open for a young couple with a pram who thank him as they shuffle past, tracking slush in with them. Freddie heads out into the blizzard, giving me a final wave as he passes by the window and out of sight.
As I serve cake and tea to the couple, I go over that whirlwind of an interview in my head.
There’s a lot to admire about Freddie. I liked most of his answers. Often, it’s not so muchwhatthey say as how they say it. No one wants to work with a robot and, while a little short on experience, Freddie definitely wasn’t lacking in personality. Somehow, at the end there, he managed to flip the interview around on me, which is not only impressive as hell, but it takes balls—or, in Freddie’s case, abs—of steel.
Flashing your body in an interview though? Wild. Maybe I’m just a prude who’s behind the times?
No. It’s definitely weird behaviour. But how picky can I afford to be? It’s not like West Marbank is a big city. It’s barely even a town. Quality staff can be hard to come by and, as today hasproven, even harder to keep. Sure, Freddie’s inexperienced, but I can teach him. Heck, I taught Kyle how to do latte art and he hadn’t even heard of a flat white before he started working for me. Freddie seems like an artsy kind of guy. Surely he’ll have sipped a cortado or two in his time?
Speaking of coffee, it’s almost lunchtime and my eyes are about to crust over with exhaustion.
It’s quiet for the moment so I make myself a double espresso. By the time I’ve finished drinking it, I’ve made my decision.
It’s crazy, but I think I’m going to hire him. I’m going to hire the guy who showed his abs to a complete stranger in a job interview because, in spite of that wildly inappropriate gesture, I like him. He seems keen and the customers, especially the old ladies,willadore him. Plus, I didn’t expect to be Uno-reversed in a job interview the way he did. That impressed me. And perhaps the most important reason of all: I’m desperate and he’s available. I’d probably hire Hannibal Lecter if he promised to wipe the milk wand after each use.
The lunch rush begins and I lock in for another hour of queue management. I’m so tired I could cry, the espresso I drank barely touching the sides. In between serving sandwiches, I put Freddie’s number into my phone and draft a text to him one word at a time. All the while I can’t help but think maybe Lara was right: maybe opening this place was a terrible idea.
Maybe it’s finally broken me.
5
Freddie
MyphonebuzzesasI turn the corner onto my street. Hands waxy with cold, I pull it out and see a text from an unknown number:
Hi Freddie, it’s Shaun at Cream & Sugar. Thanks for the impromptu interview today. I’d like to offer you the job, if you’re interested?
I have to read it twice to believe it. I got the job? Just like that? Holy shit, I must havenailedthat interview!
I fire a message back straight away:
Hey Shaun, that was fast. I'm not even home yet! Sounds awesome. Wow, I must have really impressed you?
His reply comes halfway up the garden path:
Great. And yes, it was certainly a memorable interview. It’ll be on a probationary basis at first as you don’t have a lot of experience but I think you’ll be good with customers and I’ll train you up on the coffee machineASAP. Okay to start tomorrow morning? Let’s say 6:30 to 12:30 for a first shift. Wear whatever you like, just no logos or loungewear.
And then, a second later:
Oh, and no bare midriffs.
I chuckle as I unlock the front door and step inside. Guess I made an impression! I text him back:
You got it, boss. I’ll keep myself decent. Catch you tomorrow. Can’t wait!
A few seconds later, Shaun replies:
Just Shaun, please. Never boss. See you tomorrow, Freddie. Congratulations.
I tuck my phone away and clap my hands together. Guess I can tick “flirt my way into a job” off my bucket list. I should add that to my list of skills for next time or, even better, ditch the CV completely—clearly charisma trumps experience.
It’s not like I’m shy about working my charms, but I have to say that was some of my finest work. Many a night catching eyes across the bar at Sabre has given me a pretty good gaydar, and it works all the better when a guy is blatantly checking me out as much as Shaun was. I had him hook, line, and sinker from the moment I walked in. Wham, bam, strawberry jam.
The fact he’s a total smokeshow made it even easier. Seriously, where has that guy been hiding himself? I definitely would’ve remembered if I’d seen him around West Marbank before. With that beard, those old-school handsome features, and that butt crammed into jeans that had no business being that tight, the flirting came all too easily.
Okay, flashing him might have been a bit much, but there was no hiding the blush on his cheeks when I gave him a glimpse of my abs—and obviously it didn’t stop him hiring me! In fairness, he did ask what my greatest strength was and I can hold a plank for a really long time.
To his credit, the guy can make a damn good hot chocolate too. I might not have survived the walk home in the snow without it. I suppose I’ll learn how to make one just like it soon, if I can tear my eyes away from Shaun’s butt long enough to learn anything he teaches me.
