Hannah
As soon as I close the car door, I scream out in excitement.If anyone could see me right now, they might assume I’m having some kind of psychotic break.My arms are flailing all around as my feet stomp on the floorboard of the car so hard I wonder if they might bust through it.I don’t even care what I look like though, because I can finally quit that nightmare of a job.
Fuck that whole two weeks’ notice thing.I’m about to storm in there and quit in the most epic fashion ever.Someone might even want to video it and use it as a reminder of how to quit a job.It’s going to be that amazing.
I look over at the contract lying on the passenger seat of my car, realizing I never even looked it over.Like I care what it says though.As long as I get paid, it’s good enough for me.You only need to be stuck in a nightmare of a job once to realize you can make sacrifices to accommodate lower pay if necessary.
I pick it up, scanning it quickly for the part that discusses salary and when my eyes fall on it, I let out a gasp.Guess I won’t be needing to worry about that whole pay cut thing.
“Ten grand over my current salary!”I yell out, tossing a fist in the air.This day couldn’t get any better.
While I know this isn’t a done deal, I’m fine with quitting my job and moving in with Dylan if this whole thing doesn’t pan out.I have no idea why it wouldn’t work.I’m a damn good chef.
I dig through my purse for a pen, signing my name at the bottom of the contract even though Leo told me to return it tonight when I come back.I’m not holding off any longer.I need this final and done or at least as close to done as possible.
I walk back in and find Leo waiting, a smirk on his face, and holy shit if he doesn’t look so damn hot.He’s all tattoos and dark close-cropped hair with these deep brown eyes that stupidly draw me in.
This is your new boss, Hannah!Stop it.Stop it right now.
“I kinda figured you’d be back.Negotiations?”he asks, leaning against the bar, as he motions for me to sit down.
“Nope.Just don’t want this opportunity to pass me by,” I reply, setting the signed contract down in front of him.“I’ll see you tonight.”
“Can’t wait, Hannah,” Leo says and the way he says my name sends a wave of goosebumps washing over my skin.
“Me either,” I murmur back, looking over my shoulder as I walk back out.
Now to go and quit my nightmare job.
I pull into the parking lot of my soon-to-be former employer, taking in a hard breath, I ready myself to do what I’ve been wanting to do since the day I set foot in this place.I pull down the visor, looking at myself in the mirror, I smile.
“You got this, Hannah,” I tell myself, nodding my head.“Go tell that asshole everything you’ve ever wanted to say to him.Every single thought that has kept you up at night, unload it now.”
I slam the car door, my adrenaline pumping, my heart racing with nervous excitement.This is it.There will never be another time in my life where I will feel this vindicated.Someday I’ll tell my grandkids this story and they’ll think their grandma is a total badass.
When I walk in, I don’t bother to ask where Roy is.I already know he’s holed up in his office, hiding from his employees instead of in the kitchen where he should be as the head chef and owner.He’s avoiding interacting normally with his staff and he probably should be.He just makes us all miserable.
“Get that menu done?”Curt asks, when I stroll through the kitchen with the confidence of a runway model.
“Nope.And who the fuck cares!”I shout, tossing up my hands as I walk straight for Roy’s office.Without knocking, I throw the door open, catching him off guard.The stupid look on his face makes me laugh out loud.His mouth is hanging open, a pen in his hand, poised like he’s going to stab me.
“Anna, you better be here with the seasonal menu.It was due to me this morning,” he hisses and again I laugh.
“I quit, motherfucker!”I shout, and I now wish I would’ve gone home and gotten my chef’s coat so I could dramatically throw it in his face.“I’m done with your bullying and ridicule and your ridiculous demands.You’re impossible to work for because you’re an egotistical tyrant who has zero respect for his employees and I hope I never see your stupid fucking face again!”
He’s standing now, his face growing redder and redder with each word I shout at him, but I don’t care.Nothing he says to me is going to matter.I don’t ever have to set foot in here again.
I know the kitchen staff has gathered behind me, pretending to work but also attempting to take in every word of my little Norma Rae style speech.
I’m killing it today!
“So write your own seasonal menu, asshole!”I call out, as I turn my back on Roy, tossing up both middle fingers as I walk out.
I worry for a moment that he’s going to chase me out to my car, but I’m sure he’s still standing there, shocked into silence that someone finally had the guts to stand up to him.
It’s either that or he’s now screaming at his current staff, telling them to pick up the slack my absence has left.And that part makes me feel just a little guilty.Just a little though.Not enough to ever consider working there again.
As soon as I get home, I get in the shower.I have an hour to get myself ready and head back to Somerville’s for my evening with Leo.It makes it sound like a date, when in reality, it’s more like an audition.An audition I can’t fail because I really don’t want to live with my little brother when I can’t pay my rent.
