Page 11 of Casita Casanova

“She’ll take the job.”

“What?” I sputter at my best friend.

“Really?” His dark eyes sparkle with hope. “It’s not much, just a beertender position a few times a week, but if you can come in this Monday for an interview, you can start Tuesday. You’ll be saving my life.”

My mouth gapes. “Like, two days from now Tuesday?”

He nods.

I swallow hard, then look past him to peer into the brewery again. Can I handle pouring beer a few days a week?

Idolike beer. And itisa paycheck.

And I clearly don’t need twenty years of experience—most of these workers have only been alive that long—which is good because of the whole lack of job history…

I look at Danielle, who’s nodding vigorously like her neck has come unhinged, and then I look up at the guy and nod.

LikeI’vecome unhinged.

His face lights up and he gives me a megawatt smile. “Oh my God, thank you. So you can come in Monday around this time to go over everything?”

I nod again.Something must be wrong with my neck.

“Awesome.” He sticks out his hand. “I’m Greg.”

Shaking his extended hand, I match his smile. “Maryn. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Welcome to the Fast Lane Brewing family, Maryn. I’ll see you on Monday.” He turns away and hurries back inside, leaving me standing on the pavement, staring into the brewery with a blank look on my face and an application for employment clutched in my hand. I flick my wide eyes to Danielle’s reflection and my best friend’s smile is downright smug.

“Congratulations,” she says, and I turn toward her. “You just got a Jay. Oh. Bee.” She does a little dance and I roll my eyes, continuing on my way to the Mexican food restaurant we’d been heading toward before we got sidetracked, completely derailed, and apparently,employed.

There’s a very small part of me that is thrilled by this new development.

Chapter Four

Maryn

We’re two drinks in when my phone buzzes on the table between us. Ari’s probably regretting her suggestion that we leave her alone to unpack.

“Don’t answer that. We’re on vacation time.”

I laugh, reaching for my cell phone anyway. “It’s just Ari. She’s probably losing steam. Maybe she wants us to bring her some tacos or something.” I pick up the phone and look at the number, frowning. “New York?”

Danielle waves her hand in the air. “Definitely don’t answer that. They’ve probably been trying to reach you about your car’s expired warranty.”

“Ha. Whoevertheyare, they can have the minivan.” Curiosity getting the better of me, I answer the call. “Hello?”

“Hi, who am I speaking with?”

I tilt my head. “I’m sorry, you called me. Shouldn’t I be asking you that question?”

There’s a pause, then, “I’m calling in regards to your short-term listing for a one-bedroom casita for rent in Southern California?” When I don’t respond immediately, the woman adds, “I found the ad on Craigslist…?”

Frowning, I say, “I’m sorry, I think you may have the wrong number.” I place my hand over the mouthpiece and whisper, “They’re calling about renting the casita…”

Danielle’s furrowed brows probably mirror my own. “You’re renting out the casita?”

“No,” I whisper, shaking my head as I remove my hand from the mouthpiece.

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