Page 11 of Trophy
Rob dropped the parts onto the counter and leaned back against it. There was someone else checking people out a few feet away, and Rob didn’t seem to care that the line was now up to four people. “They’re looking for a receptionist at the dentist in town. You should try for that job.”
“I already did.” Allison tried very hard not to sound discouraged. “I was told that I wasn’t a candidate since I don’t have any experience.”
Rob frowned. His eyes were resting on her, but he was clearly thinking. “You don’t know anything about cars, do you?”
“Not a thing.”
“What kind of jobs have you had before?”
She gave a huff of bitter amusement. “I got married when I was eighteen. I never had any jobs. I sat on charity boards. I was on the steering committee for a garden association. I volunteered at an art museum.” She gave a little shrug. “That’s about all the experience I have.”
Rob’s frown deepened.
“It’s fine,” she said quickly, worried he was starting to think she was truly pitiful. “It’s really nice of you to try to help me. I’ll keep looking.”
He shook his head and reached over to grab a business card from a small rack on the other side of the counter. He scrawled something on the back and handed it to her.
“Dora’s is looking to hire a new waitress,” he said. “Would you be willing to wait tables?”
“Sure. Anything. But I didn’t see an ad for Dora’s.”
“Trey hasn’t posted it yet, but he said he was getting ready to. Give him the card.”
Her brows drew together as she read the note he’d written on the back of the card. She’s your new waitress. Trust me. R.
“But you don’t know me,” she said, a little breathlessly. “You shouldn’t vouch for me like that.”
He gave her that little half smile again, the one that seemed to indicate he was pleased with the direction the world was moving. “I’m owed more favors than I know what to do with. I can use one of them on this.”
“But why?” She really wanted to know.
“Everyone deserves a chance.”
Her smile was a little wobbly as she clutched the card in her hand. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” He was clearly uncomfortable with too much gratitude and was making an effort to brush it off. “You sure you don’t want me to come over to help you with the flapper?”
She was more tempted than ever to accept, but once again she had the feeling that if she admitted she couldn’t do it, Arthur would somehow score another victory. “I’ve got it.”
6
After Allison had thankedRob again, she walked out of the store, feeling as encouraged as she had first thing that morning, but with more foundation for it now. She headed right over to Dora’s, since it was just two blocks away.
When she stepped inside, she asked for Trey, and a balding man with a potbelly and a dirty shirt came out from the kitchen. Allison handed him the card, not sure exactly what to say.
“Seriously?” Trey muttered, eyeing her up and down like she was a creature from a different planet.
Okay. That wasn’t the reaction she’d been hoping for.
“I could do a good job,” she said quietly. “I need this, so you can count on me to work really hard.”
Trey sighed, still staring down at the card. “Damn it, West,” he muttered.
Clearly he wasn’t speaking to her, so she didn’t say anything else.
Finally he looked up. “Fine. I’ll give you a try. I owe Rob big time. But if it doesn’t work out, I can’t keep you on. The favor I owe him will only go so far.”
“Understood. I appreciate you giving me a chance.”
