Revenge Read Online Free PDF Page A

Alexis. I had no idea you’re the manager.”
    I cleared my throat. “Yeah. About last night…well, I guess I was, uh…a little intoxicated,” I said, trying to remain professional. “I’m so sorry for blowing you off the way I did.”
    “Let’s not even dwell on that.”
    “Right. Today is a new day,” I said cheerfully.
    “Alexis is a very beautiful name.”
    “Thank you. Listen, uh…this is a little awkward,” I said. “I don’t usually party with job candidates before the interview. I had no idea you applied here.”
    “It’s a fluke. Let’s just make the most of it. I deserve a fair shake, right?”
    What you deserve is for me to shake the life out of you, you prick, I thought, but I knew I had to be polite and courteous; it was in my job description. “It’s so ironic, isn’t it?”
    He looked deeply into my eyes. “I know. It’s like we were destined to meet again.”
    Maybe it was once, but you screwed it up, I thought. I took a deep breath and considered my options for a moment. Hiring him could be the perfect revenge, because it would afford me the opportunity to really make him pay for what he’d done to me. He wouldn’t last long; I would make sure of that. “C’mon,” I said, leading him back to the office.
    He sat down in a chair across from me.
    “So…what is your greatest strength?” I asked.
    “Well, I pride myself on great customer service, and I have the ability to resolve what might be considered…difficult situations.”
    “What did you like about your old job?” I asked, glancing over his application.
    “Mostly, I enjoyed the people I worked with. It was a friendly, fun atmosphere, and I liked going to work. The management knew all the employees on a first-name basis and tried to make personal connections.”
    “What did you dislike about it?” I asked.
    “I am looking for other employment because I just didn’t feel like I’d ever realize my full potential there. While I did enjoy working there, and while I appreciated the skills I learned and developed working with that company, I feel my skill set can be better utilized elsewhere, a place where my unique capabilities are more recognized and utilized. I can make any drink. I am happy to offer you a demonstration if you’d like.”
    “Good answer.”
    “Can I ask you a question?” he asked.
    “Hmm. That’s not usually the way it works,” I said, though I admired him having the balls to turn the tables on me. “But shoot.”
    “What do you like about working here?” he asked.
    “Well, I’m all about socializing and working hard, and here, I can do both. My schedule is pretty flexible here, so I can fit my classes in. Lois, the owner, is very understanding and great to work with.”
    “As you know, I attend classes at Belmont University, so flexibility would be key for me.”
    The interview went on, and Art certainly aced it—so much so that there was no way I couldn’t offer him the job. He was confident, poised, and articulate, and I couldn’t trip him up, no matter what I asked. “The job as head bartender is yours if you want it, Art,” I said.
    He grinned, and I hated him for having such a gorgeous smile. “That’s great.”
    I explained the job to him and gave him an official tour. As he filled out the necessary paperwork, I said, “You’ll have an orientation first, then start officially next week. Does that work for you? We need to get someone in here ASAP.”
    “Perfect.”
    “You’re going to show up as scheduled, right?” I had to ask, our history considered.
    “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
    I bit my tongue, and instead of reminding him of prom, I simply said, “Well, we need someone we can rely on, that’s all.”
    “I’m nothing if not reliable,” he said.
    ***
    I stopped at Morgan’s house and found my sister all alone; her husband was teaching at the university, and my nieces were over at Grandma’s, so we had the house all to ourselves.
    “You hired Art? The