Twelve

E

The afternoon passes quickly, and I'm a little worried about how I'm going to get through a busy Friday night by myself. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to fire Quil like I did.

I spend my down time doing inventory and getting ready as best as I can. I'm weighing bottles when the door swings open. I holler a welcome and look up when I don't get a response.

Bella is standing at the end of the bar with a box and manila envelope under her arm, looking like sin in a red shirt with only half the buttons done, revealing skin and tits, and a pair of tight jeans. She blows her hair out of her face and frowns.

"I was hoping Harry and Waylon would be here."

I drop my clipboard on the bar and grab a rag. "Sorry to disappoint. You missed them by about an hour. They like to clear out of here early on Fridays."

"Well, shit. Here you go then." She slides the box to me.

"What's this?"

Bella hops up on a stool and crosses her arms. The neckline of her T-shirt pulls tight across her chest. It takes great effort to keep my eyes on her face. I fail, and it's hard to focus when all her freckles are on full display. I remember how her creamy skin tasted under my tongue.

"A thank you for yesterday, but I guess it could work as a bribe too."

I take a peek and find a bunch of homemade peanut butter cookies nestled in the box. "A bribe?"

She holds out the folder. "I saw the hiring sign in the window."

I flip through the papers in confusion. "You brought your resume?"

Bella nods and adjusts her glasses. "This is me applying to fill the position."

This is a bad idea. I've always been taught not to shit where I eat. How can l in good conscience hire Bella after what transpired here last night?

"You're overqualified," I say, taking in all of the clerical jobs she's had in her short career.

Fuck, she's young.

"I need a change of pace." She shrugs.

"You don't have any experience. I can't pay to train you."

Bella rolls her eyes. "Consider my training an internship."

"You can't work for free. I'm pretty sure that's illegal," I argue.

"If it'll make you feel better, I'll split the tips with you, and I won't fight you on it. We'll split seventy-five, twenty-five."

"Bella ..." I sigh.

"Take a look at the education part of my resume. I highlighted it." She flips through the papers and points to something.

"You took an online course on bartending?"

Bella nods. "It cost me seventy-five bucks and three hours of my time, but I got a certificate for completing it. It's in there too."

The door opens and the mail lady steps inside with my mail. I thank her and turn back to Bella.

"l don't think this is a good idea."

She sits back with a speculative look. "Is this about last night?"

I run my hand through my hair and nod.

"We're both adults. We can pretend it didn't happen if you want. We cleaned up, and you drove me home." She raises an eyebrow. "Nothing more, nothing less."

Can I pretend that last night didn't happen? Can I employ someone I've slept with? Someone who's been on my mind since I dropped her off at her apartment?

"I need a job, and you need help," she points out. "Give me a chance, Edward."

A big party comes in, and Bella and I continue staring at one another.

"l'll give you a week to convince me that this is a good idea."

She smiles wide and joins me behind the bar. For a second, I think she's going to hug me, but Bella just says a quick thank you and starts helping customers.

I really hope I don't regret this.