“I’m going to run back to the office for a bit,” Cory said as Mandy finished clearing the table and stacking the dishes in the dishwasher.
“Now? Why not just work here?” It was almost eight, and she felt about ready to drop. She was looking forward to putting on her softest pajamas, getting the kids tucked into bed and curling up with a book for a bit before climbing into bed herself.
“I left the papers I need at the office and I’ll be able to focus there and get things done more quickly.”
“Okay. Don’t stay too late though.” She kissed him on the cheek and watched as he walked out the front door. He was obsessed with work and had been as long as Mandy had known him. She foolishly thought that when he opened his own business, he’d have more flexibility, and more time to relax, but it was exactly the opposite. He worked more hours now than he ever had before.
Chapter 9
Jill’s first shift at Mimi’s Place was on Friday night. They’d agreed that while they’d split shifts so that one of them was always there, Jill would only work nights and the occasional weekend lunch shift so that she could still focus on her real job during the day. When she arrived at four o’clock sharp, Emma was on her way out and Gary was finishing up as well, and filling Gina, the night manager, in on the reservations they’d taken earlier that day.
Jill had met Gary previously, but not Gina. She was relatively new to Mimi’s Place.
“It’ll be a year next month,” she said when Jill asked how long she’d been there.
“Where did you work before this?” She was curious about Gina’s background. The girl was absolutely gorgeous with olive skin and wavy, almost black hair.
“I was at Via Mollo for ten years,” she said proudly, and Jill was impressed. Via Mollo was one of the best Italian restaurants in Boston. Which made her wonder why Gina would leave there and come here. As much as they all loved Mimi’s Place, it seemed like a step down.
“What made you decide to make the move? Via Mollo is a wonderful restaurant.” Via Mollo had great food, but their service was exceptional. You really felt pampered.
“It was time. I wanted a change, a more relaxed environment. I fell in love with Nantucket, and I like the people here.” Jill was fascinated at the expressions that raced across Gina’s face as she spoke. Hesitation initially, and a hint of wariness in her eyes that gave Jill the sense that there was more there than Gina was willing to say. When she spoke of liking the environment and the people at Mimi’s Place, though, her smile reached her eyes and lit up even more when she winked at Jason as he walked by. His face flushed a deep crimson, and Jill chuckled. “I think you just made his night.”
“Jason’s a doll. He brought me a sample of tonight’s special, the short ribs, before he left for the day, and I told him it brought tears to my eyes. We should run in the kitchen and get you a quick taste of the specials, too.” She twisted her hair into a loose knot as she spoke, secured it with a pen from her apron pocket, and then ran an earthy red lipstick across her lips. “Okay, let’s go.”
Jill practically ran to keep up with Gina all night. Her style was very different from Gary’s—just as professional, but oozing charm. Jill realized as she watched Gina interact with the customers that she was a huge asset. Her training from Via Mollo gave her a sophistication that the customers responded to. It was something that she often saw in the best restaurants, a very subtle way of seeming to know and recognize every customer that walked through the door, even if it was their first time in the restaurant.
“Mr. and Mrs. Dennison, we’re so happy to have you here tonight. We have a fantastic quiet table by the rear window for you that I think you’ll love. It will be ready in just a moment.”
“Oh, that sounds wonderful,” Mrs. Dennison said and then turned to her husband. “I’m so glad we finally made it here. The Kelleys have been raving about this place recently.”
Gina led the Dennisons to their table moments later and Jill complimented her once she returned to the front desk.
“I love how you make everyone feel special when they get here, even if it’s their first time. People seem to really respond to that.”
“Thanks. It’s something I learned at Via Mollo.” She smiled and looked around the dining room. They had a moment of calm before the wave of people were due to arrive.
It lasted all of about a minute before the first disaster of the night happened. Tina, the bartender on duty who had been with the restaurant for years, hurt herself cutting fruit garnishes. The sharp paring knife slipped and went into the soft skin at the v at the base of her thumb. It went through almost to the bone and she must have nicked a vein because the gushing wouldn’t stop and Tina nearly passed out at the sight of all the blood. Gina took charge immediately and called a cab to take her to the emergency room at the Nantucket Hospital to get it stitched up.
“Great, now I need to call Stacy in and she worked a double yesterday. I hate to do that to her.”
“I can do it,” Jill said.
Gina raised her eyebrows, but looked hopeful. “When was the last time you tended bar?”
“A number of years ago, but I was good, and fast, and I doubt it’s changed very much.”
Gina glanced at the reservations book. It wasn’t full by any means, and she’d mentioned earlier that Wednesdays tended to be one of their slower nights.
“Okay. Let’s give it a shot. If you need help though, just give me a shout and I’ll figure something out.” She spent the next ten minutes showing Jill the layout of the bar and how to work the register. It was a fairly small bar, with twelve stools and a service area. Jill studied the different wines and descriptions from the bar menu and then poured herself a shot of coke. A bit of sugar and caffeine was definitely in order.
Any nervousness she felt quickly melted away once the customers started coming in and the waitresses lined up at the service bar. Jill stumbled a little at first until she got her bearings and remembered the location of the various liquors and wines, and then she was in the zone where you don’t think about things, you just react and produce. She’d always been good at multi-tasking, juggling customers and multiple orders at once. These were the skills of a good bartender, someone who had a feel for when a customer was ready for a refill or in the mood for a bit of chit chat.
Bartenders and waiters tended to do well in the world of head-hunting, where multi-tasking was a given and people skills a must. Gina stopped by an hour into dinner service to give her a compliment. “You’re really good.” She sounded so surprised that Jill couldn’t help but laugh. “I used to have a blast bartending in college. I really missed it for a while.”
“Well, you’re a natural. We can use you behind the bar any time you’re willing.” And then she was off, back to new arrivals coming through the door.
Most of Jill’s business came from the service bar. Only half of the bar stools were full, and they were mostly just people waiting for a table to open up for dinner. But a new arrival settled in while she was making a tray of martinis for one of the waitresses. A single guy about her age, if she had to guess, and quite good looking with dark wavy hair and a square jaw.