Page 107 of The Problem with Perfect

And it’ll be just as great to see Toni’s expression tomorrow.

* * *

“I’m sorry, again, about earlier.”

I sigh as I hoist two heavy black trash bags down the hallway toward where Ozzy is holding open the door out to the back.

“You don’t need to apologize for cutting yourself, Ozzy,” I tell her as I step by, my muscles straining as I lift the bags off the ground and down the couple of steps to the gravel lot.

“No, I know that. I mean for being behind the bar. It felt like there was a lull and I was just trying to be helpful.”

I step up to the green dumpster and heave one bag up and over then the other before rounding the back to close the plastic lid.

“Well, maybe don’t worry about being helpful and instead focus on doing the very simple job you were hired to do.”

My words come out blunt and maybe a bit rude. Part of me regrets the way I just spoke to her, because I can see almost immediately how her face shifts and her eyebrows dip.

We step back inside, the fire door slamming behind us as I make my way down the hallway and to the front so I can turn off the lights.

That’s when I realize Ozzy has followed me, and when I stop to look at her, she crosses her arms and glares at me.

“Did I do something to upset you? Or offend you?”

Her question surprises me, and the fact that she keeps talking tells me she can see it on my face as my brows furrow in confusion.

“I’ve thought about asking a few times, even though I keep trying to convince myself I’m overthinking it, but you seemed to dislike me from almost day one. I mean, I know I had a lot to learn when I started, but I work my ass off trying to make up for where I might have some shortcomings. I feel like you’re friendly enough with everyone else, and I don’t understand what I did to…”

Her words trail off, and I can tell that brief bout of confidence and bravery has run its course. Even though her head is tilted back, her chin high and her arms crossed, she still looks kind of worried.

Like I might fire her right here and now.

I reach up and rub at the back of my neck, trying to decide what to say in response.

Because…she’s right. Iama lot more blunt and curt with her than with the rest of my dozen or so employees. And even though she might not be an exceptional waitress, shedoeswork her ass off more than pretty much anyone else on my payroll.

The real reason I’m so short with her all the time, something I’d rather not have to admit to Ozzy, or even to myself, is because of what Tessa told me.

“I mean, if you just tell me what I can do,” she starts again, but I hold up a hand to silence her, trying to decide the best way to say this without sounding like an asshole.

Though I’m not sure there reallyisa way to do that.

“I think I just feel the need to be a little more…direct and formal with you to…establish boundaries.”

Ozzy’s head tilts to the side for a second, confusion evident on her face.

“It’s important to me that my employees never misunderstand me or assume I’m being more friendly than I should be. As their boss.”

Almost like a stone plunking into a still pond and rippling outward, I can see the moment my words make sense to her. She gasps, her hands coming to her mouth and her eyes widening.

“Ohmygod,” she whispers to herself, her words barely even loud enough for me to hear.

“Look, I’ve had plenty of my own crushes at places I’ve worked over the years, alright?” I take a step closer and lower my voice, trying to make this less uncomfortable—for both of us.

“But as the owner, I have to set the standard, and when Tessa told me about your conversation, I felt like…”

Ozzy’s hands come up, her eyes closed in a wince, and I fall silent.

“You don’t have to…keep explaining,” she tells me, her eyes laser focused on the ground. “I get it.”

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