Page 14 of It Never Was

"Morning Paul," I say through the glass case as he locks the door behind him.

"Morning Rye." He takes a deep breath before talking again. "Four more interviews today."

"Four more, huh? I would think there was no one else left by now." I grin at him as I close the case and lean against it putting my chin on my arms.

"Yeah, this is the fourth round of them, and it better be our last." He sounds annoyed.

"Fourth time's the charm!" I say, trying to lighten his mood.

"That's what we said about the last interviews."

"But those sucked, so it has to be this time around." He doesn't look convinced.

"All of them I scheduled before your shift is over. That way, you aren't late for your classes," he says as he comes to the front of the case looking over the pastries.

"Thank you, Paul. Want your usual morning brew?" I ask to change the subject while I start a pour-over for him before he even answers.

"Thanks, Rye." His voice starts to soften as much as Paul's voice allows. He thumbs through the papers he has in his hands.

"Here you go, just the way you like it, plain ol' black cup of joe," I say with a smirk, when the coffee is done.

"It's the only way to enjoy coffee. All you youngsters with your syrups and different creamers," he says sternly while grabbing the cup. "I'm glad I got you un-brainwashed. You should be thanking me really." A smirk develops on the corner of his mouth.

I can't help but chuckle as he walks off to his office, happy that I was able to lighten his mood even just a tiny bit.

The morning rush is in full effect when a girl with freckled cheeks and pin straight ginger hair struts up past the line of customers, to the counter to introduce herself. Her tits on full display with the low-cut shirt she is wearing, the thin cardigan she is wearing over top does not help to cover those bad boys up.

"Hi, my name is Suzie. Suzie Grayson. I am here to have an interview with Paul the owner." Her voice gets squeakier as she reaches her hand over the counter to shake mine. I am in the full swing of making coffee orders, so I can't return the gesture.

"Oh, sorry I can't reach over, but I will let him know you are here. If you could take a seat at an open table, he will be with you soon!" I say as my eyes flicker from my working hands to her eyes which are now squinting at me, confused at what I said.

"Okay…but my interview is at 9 am. It's 9 am," she states to me with her eyes still looking just as confused

"Yes, I know. When I am able to let him know, you are here I will also let him know you were here on time. I just have orders I need to finish first," I tell her using my customer voice in a high tone while looking back at my drink orders.

"Okay, I guess I'll be waiting." Her tone is less squeaky this time around as she stomps to find an empty table.

Chrissy is looking my way as I turn to grab the next cup order, giving me a chuckle. "She seems like she would be a joy to work with." I can't help but agree with her sarcasm. Suzie Grayson seems like a nightmare.

Paul comes from up the hallway as I am flying through the next order calling out names and sliding them to the end of the counter for customers to pick up.

"The 9 am interview is here Paul, Suzie Grayson," I called to him before placing the last order that Chrissy had lined up for me at the pickup counter, finally able to breathe.

"Perfect timing. You ready?" Paul says as he holds his folder for the interview. "Chrissy, you okay handling the front while Ryen joins me?"

"Sure." Chrissy doesn't even pass a look our way.

"I think that means she totally has it under control, boss," I tell Paul as I pull my apron off and hang it up on one of the hooks on the wall and walk out from behind the counter.

"Seems like it. What table is she at?" he asks, scanning the shop's seating area.

"There," I point to one of the tables in the back where she sits, "the girl with the blue shirt and ponytail."

"Well…let's do this," he says while exhaling and starting towards the table. I follow Paul trying to go into this with a positive mindset. My mind is numb after the other interviews, but I want to stay optimistic.

"Hello, Suzie? I am Paul, the owner," he says, extending his hand to give her a shake.

"Hello, Paul. I am very excited about this interview!" The squeak in Suzie's voice has returned.

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