Business Sense
Chapter 2 - Not-A-Date
My text banter with Jenna recovered after Halloween, but Shelby and I had a new source of stress. Opening day was almost upon us.
Shelby had hired two new bartenders, Jeremy and Sue, and one of the
Firebird
bartenders, Roxy, volunteered to transfer. We were sending Jeremy and Roxy to spend a week with Aaron while Sue and I ensured the bar was stocked for opening day, and I took care of the thousand additional tasks, including supervising the sign installation.
The bar's logo was a stylized line drawing of a man standing, his hands behind his back, his head replaced by a donkey's. That logo was to the left of the bar name on the main sign.
The version of the drawing on the menu was a little more detailed - a fairy was watching the man with interest, and below him was his name, written in cursive, "Bottom." I found that more amusing than Shelby did.
When Roxy and Jeremy returned, Christian, aka Erik the Red, accompanied them for our startup. I was pleased that it wasn't Kate, because I didn't want to spend a week avoiding her, but was less so when Jenna told me she'd taken Friday afternoon off to show him around.
Saturday was the grand opening. It felt like a disaster with the number of problems and questions and the demands on our time, but Shelby assured me it was going well. The bartenders were learning their roles and the layouts of the taps, bottles, and cans, but sharing the experienced staff of
Firebird
was a huge plus. We'd only been able to add two craft beers on tap, and the consumption rate was double our estimates. We'd need to restock, and add more craft options as soon as we could. A hard cider on tap would be worthwhile, too, given the number of requests.
Of course, these woes and stresses were all management issues. The axe-throwing lanes were a huge success, and we received very few complaints about the beer or food. We didn't cook, we called in orders to the casual restaurant in the same block, and sent a runner when the food was ready. The arcade had used this method from its launch. The extra demand for opening night slowed pick up times a little, but not enough to cause problems.
Jenna didn't show until after eight, when her work shift ended, and I barely saw her, since Christian spent most of the evening showing her how to throw, his hands on her far more than I thought necessary. The opening day issues became something of a blessing, because they helped keep me from dwelling on my resentment. I had to find a better way to manage the side-effects of my crush on my straight friend, but the distraction sufficed for the evening.
By Sunday we'd managed to overcome most of the difficulties. I was pleased with how the team was coming together. Shelby was clearly delighted. We'd have to be open a few months before we could be certain that the venture was a success, but the start was more than promising.
Shelby and Daniel invited the staff for dinner on Monday. The bar was closed Mondays and Thursdays, so we didn't have to exclude anyone. I expected Jenna to be there, but apparently she was with Erik. I tried to hide my disappointment. I think Shelby sensed that something was wrong, but I really was pleased with the way everything had gelled over the weekend, and after a time I think I was successful in keeping my unwarranted resentment off my face.
There was no reason for me to be jealous. I knew that. Jenna was straight. Erik the Red was an attractive guy. She was between boyfriends. I should be happy for her. I would have been, if I could just get my stupid crush on her under control. Sooner or later I had to succeed in doing that, or I'd have to step back from my friendship with her, and I really didn't want for that to be necessary.
So I worked hard to praise Shelby's idea and everyone's effort, and accepting congratulations in turn. I
did
deserve a lot of the credit for the weekend. I knew I'd done a good job, especially being so young and having been such a complete neophyte when I'd started, only a few months earlier. Shelby had been a great teacher and motivator, but I'd put in the effort, and I was proud of the results.
That realization helped. I began to relax and enjoy the evening. We'd be back dealing with customers on Tuesday, and I was looking forward to it.
Eventually I'd be less hands-on. My job was to promote the bar, arrange parties, ensure that we got the best deals with distributors, manage costs, and facilitate the bar staff's work. It wasn't to change kegs and chase down the coaches. I even planned to work office hours rather than bar hours at some point. But for now, helping everyone through startup was exciting. That would have to be enough for me. If I could focus on the work, I could deal with my feelings for Jenna.
Except...
~~~~~
I'd returned home at ten. I'd driven to the restaurant, so I'd only had a single glass of wine. I didn't know whether the bar staff had continued on to party, but I'd had a stressful weekend and would be working again on the next day, so I didn't want to drink or stay up late.
By eleven I was asleep. So when my phone pinged at eleven fifteen, it woke me.
Jenna: "Are you still awake?"
Me: "Sure."
Yeah, I lied.
Jenna: "Can I come over? Ten minutes?"
Me: "Of course."
I didn't have a lot of time, so I slipped into my pajamas, then started to boil water for herbal tea, thinking that, as late as it was, it would be less harsh than coffee.
The water had just started to bubble when there was a light rap on the door. I opened it, and Jenna stepped inside. I made a cup of lavender tea for each of us without comment, then led her to the couch. She seemed unusually reserved, so I began the conversation.
"You missed a good dinner."
"It was just for the bar staff," Jenna replied.
"I think Shelby would have liked you to be there," I said.
Jenna's gaze kept slipping over my pajamas. They were lightweight satin, in glossy black. I'd bought them on a whim, because they both were and were not my style. The top was a loose cami, but the back was wide weave lace, giving the illusion of being backless but for the lacy pattern. The pants were long, and the set could be worn as loungewear or pajamas, but couldn't
quite
be accused of being lingerie.
"You
were
asleep, weren't you?"
"Just barely," I admitted. "It was still early."
Jenna's eyes travelled over my pajamas again. She grinned. "So this is how you sleep?"
I shook my head, covering a yawn with my hand. "I put these on for you. Whatever the reason you wanted to see me, I was sure it wouldn't involve me being naked. Unfortunately." I caught another yawn. "'Scuse me. I'm not tired, but waking up even after only a minute or two leaves me yawning."
Jenna's eyes seemed a little unfocused. "I didn't really have a reason for coming over," she said. "Chris was going to want to come to my place. I didn't want him to, but I also didn't want him to feel I was slapping him down, especially after he'd paid for dinner. I told him I had to pick something up from you before work tomorrow." She shrugged. "It was a bad spur-of-the-moment lie. I could have probably used Shelby. She'd back up an excuse, but I didn't want her to grill me, and I knew you wouldn't judge."
"You woke me up," I said. "I think I'm allowed some judging. So things are going well with Erik, but not as well as he'd like?"
Jenna rolled her eyes at my use of the name. "Pretty much. I think he's pushing because we only have a few days. And maybe I'm resisting for the same reason, and I don't want to do long distance."
"Do we need wine?" I asked.
"Maybe one or two," Jenna agreed. "I don't have to be at work before ten. I can get an Uber home in an hour."
"I'll see what I can find," I said. There was an opened bottle of cheap red wine in the fridge. It was well over half full, and being cold would probably improve its flavor
Stretching, I folded my arms together over my head before standing, Jenna's eyes widened at my movement.
After pouring us each a glass of wine, I returned to the sofa.
"So are you dating Erik, or aren't you?" I asked.
Jenna shook her head, chuckling. "I almost called him that once," she said, "and it's entirely your fault."
I raised my wine glass in salute, saying, "Insert Leonardo di Caprio meme."
She acknowledged my gesture with a sip, then said, "I don't think so. He's genuinely nice, but I don't feel anything. Though I wonder after the last few disasters whether anticipating problems is making it impossible for me to connect. Especially since..." she frowned, then tried again. "Especially recently. Not since the..." She paused, as if she wanted to say more, but gave a tiny shake of her head. "I have a decision to make at work, and it's messing with my head."
"What's that? I asked.
"One of our customers runs a small landscaping company. He's doing very well. He doesn't just get inventory from us, he asks my opinion on plant color, seasonal hardiness, how shrubs will look combined, that kind of thing. He says I have an eye for the finished design that he doesn't, and he wants to hire me. It would pay a little more, and be less physical effort, but I get great health insurance now. And I couldn't work with his customers directly unless I get certified, which means earning an associate degree, which takes time... I have a lot to think about. There are too few hours in the day. I don't have time to be thinking of dating Erik, even if I wanted to."
She did look a little frazzled. "I'm sorry you're under such stress, Jenna. I doubt I'd have any advice for you, but I'm always happy to listen."
"Thanks, Fi," she said. "I know you are. It's why I'm here." Then she grinned. "There is one thing you can do for me right now..." She lifted her glass, drained it, and held it out for a refill.
I poured her more and topped up my glass. "There's only one more glass left in the bottle, I think," I said. "Then we'll have to switch to beer."
"I don't want more than that," Jenna argued. "You'll think I'm a lush if I get drunk with you again. Besides, taking a ride alone after dark is risky enough. I'd prefer not to do it if I've had too much to drink."
"You could stay," I said, impulsively. "I can drive you to your place in the morning to change for work. I have an extra toothbrush."
