Page 14 of Gin & Jewels
Steve nodded. “That explains it.”
“Is that going to be a problem?”
“Where was your other job?”
“The sandwich shop, Freshly Baked.”
“So no retail?”
“No,” I admitted and frowned again.
Steve gave me a warm smile. “That’s okay. We all have to start somewhere.”
“Right.”
“Tell me a little about yourself.”
“There really isn’t much to tell.”
“Sure there is. Tell me about your family.”
I took a deep breath. Not many people knew about my parents. After they died, I got really depressed. The days turned into weeks and then months without me wanting to be around people. A few of my parents’ friends tried to reach out, but I let Keith handle them. Then I realized Keith spent all of the money that he had been given to help us, and I got a job. My focus had always been on surviving, and I didn’t have time to form relationships.
“Well, my parents died two weeks before my sixteenth birthday, and things became hard since it was just my older brother and me. I started to work at Freshly Baked after school and on weekends to keep the lights on, then I graduated, and I’ve been working ever since.”
“Wow, Cassie. I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you.” I smiled tightly, trying to show it didn’t bother me, but it did. I missed my parents every day and wondered what life would be like if they were still here.
“When did you start working at the casino?”
“Just about four months ago. I was hoping to make more money with tips and all, but since I’m the new girl, I get the slow shifts.”
He nodded and paused for a moment before speaking. “Well, as I told you yesterday, I’m looking for someone to help out around here. It was my daughter, but she’s going off to Yale in a little more than a month, and I need to have someone trained and able to cover her shift.”
“I’m willing to learn—and quickly. I promise I won’t let you down.”
Steve smiled. “Aren’t you curious how much the pay is? And what hours I need you to work?”
I chuckled slightly. “Yes, sorry. I’m just excited to work for you if you want to hire me.”
He grinned. “Good to know. Let’s start you off at minimum wage plus twenty percent commission on everything you sell.”
“Wow, thank you,” I breathed. I didn’t know if it would be more than what I made in tips at the casino, but just the thought of not having to deal with drunks and loud people was enough to make me take the job on the spot. Plus, the hours would be much better. From what I saw posted near the front door, the store was only open ten to six.
“Put in your two-week notice, and then we’ll get you started here. During the first week or so, I’ll have you come in and train with me. After that, you should be good to go on your own.”
I reached out my hand as I stood. “Thank you so much. I won’t let you down.”
I always hated leavingmy mom, but Vegas was where the money was, and I had to go back.
I was hopeful she would get the job at Dovie’s because I knew it would be good for her to get out of the house. As for Holly, I was the perfect gentleman. Paid for lunch and took her back home. I knew she wished for more by her endless flirting, but I didn’t want to give her hope of anything more with me.
When I got back into town, I texted Gabe:Back in Sin City. Need me today?
A few minutes later, he texted:Yeah. Meet me at Club 24. Autumn and I are running a class in an hour. Let’s see if you can handle it.
I chuckled and rolled my eyes. I fucking could handle it. I was a Marine, and I specialized in hand-to-hand combat. I was a trained killer.
