2. Olivia
785 Words
The young woman applying for the job in my bar didn’t seem outstandingly competent, but she had a symmetrical face. The customers would appreciate that and, hopefully, stick around just to flirt with her.
I knew it wasn’t exactly nice to hire her just because she had decent features, but then, anyone that worked for me was more or less good-looking. It just was one of those things when it came to running a bar. The better they looked, the more the customers drank. And ultimately, that was all that mattered.
With a sigh, I pulled the glass door of Rainbow Central shut and relished in the fresh air. The smell inside better be gone by the evening or we’d run another loss. A couple more months like this and I’d be in serious trouble.
If Becks hadn’t proven to be so unreliable, things would never have come this far.
As I prepared to leave, my handbag rang with an insistent tune, one I’d chosen specifically for my ex-wife.
Speak of the devil…
Speak of the devil…“Rebecca,” I greeted, fumbling with the set of keys so I wouldn’t lose them.
“Hi, Liv!”
Just from her voice, I could tell she was in another one of her needy moods. Great…
With a sigh, I opened the can of worms. “What do you want?”
“What makes you think I want something?”
“Don’t patronise me. We’ve known each other for over fifteen years, I know that voice. Heck, I know the face that goes along with that voice.”
She grumbled. “Fine… I do have a favour to ask.”
“Of course.” I rolled my eyes and checked my watch passive-aggressively, even if she couldn’t see me do it. Somehow, I felt better for having done so anyway.
“You know how I’m supposed to drop Tilly off at yours tonight?”
I could already hear the question. “Yes…?”
“Well… Would it be alright if I kept her for the weekend? Bette and I were hoping to take her to the park.”
“Becks, that’s not how our agreement works. Besides— Ah, screw it. Why not. I’m interviewing someone new for the bar anyway, so then I’ll be able to keep an eye on her.”
“Oh, really? Are you finally replacing Leo?”
“No, just getting in some new bar staff.”
“Hmm, okay… Listen, love, I got to run. But thanks for letting me keep Tilly for a bit longer. I’ll return the favour.”
“No, you won’t.” I sighed. She always said that, but it never happened. “You should just stop saying it.”
“But I genuinely do mean it. It’ll be different this time.”
I rolled my eyes again. “Sure.”
“You’ll see. I might surprise you.”
“You were my wife for ten years, Rebecca. I don’t think you have any surprises left.”
My ex chuckled. “You never know.”
“I do know. Didn’t you have to go?” I ran my hand over my face, already exhausted from the conversation. There were many reasons why we fell in love and even more why we got divorced.
“Oh, right. I’ve got a massage booked and then I’m going to one of those feet-fish places. I’ve got some dead skin that needs to go.”
“Too much information, Becks.”
“Whatever. I don’t mind you knowing about my fish. Anyway, I’m late. Talk to you soon, love. Toodeloo!”
“Yup, bye,” I said to a dead speaker. She’d already hung up, as expected. I didn’t know why I even bothered with goodbyes. At least we weren’t on bad terms, like most of the divorced people I knew.
With a sigh, I shoved my phone back in my designer purse and wafted some air into my face. It was too hot for my liking and autumn couldn’t come too soon.
As I walked to my car, I shot a last look at Rainbow Central. The bar started out as a passion project between Rebecca and me, but now it was just a financial and time drain. Even if I wasn’t sure about hiring that Quinn girl, I couldn’t afford to be picky. It wasn’t like there were people lining up to work at the bar.
Oh well… Nothing I could really do about it. Not without sinking the rest of my savings into it and bankrupting myself in the process. The bar was dear to my heart, but not that dear. At least, that was what I thought...
- Writer
