“Hey, boss, looks like your six-thirty interviewee is here,” Kayla, my bartender, calls out from across the counter while she logs another order into the POS system.
I follow her gaze and spot an attractive tall blonde heading towards the bar. She’s dressed in a black button-down shirt and tailored charcoal-grey suit pants, a folder tucked securely under her arm.
She pauses in front of me, flashing a friendly smile. “Hi, I’m Gemma. I’ve got a six-thirty interview with Chris Hughes for the bartending position.”
I offer her a welcoming smile of my own and extend my hand across the counter.
“I’m Jason, the owner and manager,” I respond as she takes my hand for a firm shake. “Unfortunately, Chris couldn’t make it today, but he sends his apologies. I’ll be conducting your interview this evening. Let’s head to my office, shall we?”
She gives a quick nod and falls in step behind me, following me towards the back of the restaurant.
Typically, interviewing for bar staff would be Chris’ responsibility, but when he called me this morning to say he couldn’t make it to the interviews for the next few days because he got Covid for the third time—the unlucky bastard—I’m not only covering for him at the bar, but also taking over the interviews until he’s back at work.
We walk in silence towards my office, the sharp click of Gemma’s heels echoing against the hardwood floor. When we reach the door, I open it and motion for her to step inside first. She enters and settles into the chair across from my desk, while I circle around and take my seat.
“Thanks for coming today, Gemma. Did you get here okay?” I begin, hoping to break the ice.
“Oh, yes. I live just fifteen minutes away by car, so it was a quick trip from my apartment to the restaurant.”
“That’s definitely a plus,” I reply with a satisfied grin. “I actually prefer to hire people who live closer to the restaurant, mainly due to the urgency of replacing staff when they unexpectedly call in sick.”
She nods in understanding and sets her folder on the desk. “No, I get it. I know how unpredictable hospitality can be, especially when it comes to staffing. I’m more than happy to be on call whenever you need me.”
“Music to my ears.” I wink at her.
Anyone who’s taken a good look can see that Gemma is undeniably beautiful. With her tall, slender frame, long golden hair, and sparkling blue eyes, she could easily grace a Victoria’s Secret runway. If Chris were here right now, I’m sure there would be more flirting going on than actual interviewing. He definitely has a soft spot for gorgeous blondes.
I grab the resume I printed earlier and quickly glance over it. “Your CV mentions you’re currently working as an Administration Assistant at a recruitment agency during the week. How do you think you’ll go taking on additional work on Friday and Saturday evenings at the bar? Would that be too much for you to juggle?”
“I was working two jobs while studying part time a couple of years ago. I’ve found that I tend to perform better when I’m under pressure.”
“I’ll take your word for it. But I will warn you, the bar gets crowded pretty fast on some nights. We’re looking for someone who’s reliable, quick and efficient, able to multitask, and can handle pressure well.” I pause for a moment, studying her intently for any hint of nervousness or insincerity, but she remains calm and composed.That’s good.I like her already!
“We’ve established that you’re flexible when it comes to covering shifts for staff when they call in sick and that you thrive in high-pressure environments. I imagine working as an admin assistant requires quick thinking and strong multitasking skills, am I right?”
She nods. “That’s correct. My job demands strong time management skills to meet deadlines, as well as being highly organised, an effective communicator, and a skilled problem-solver.”
“Well, it sounds like you have all the qualities and skills we’re looking for,” I tell her outright. “I believe you’d be a great fit for our team. Have you worked in a bar before?”
“I worked as a waitress for two years back home on the Gold Coast and part of the job involved some bar work. It was a few years ago, so I might need a refresher,” she discloses.
“That’s perfectly fine. The first two weeks will just be training anyway. Your employee induction pack includes a list of all the cocktail recipes we serve at the bar, so you can take it home and practice whenever you’d like.”
“Sounds great! Thank you, Jason.”
I’m not sure why, but I kind of like the way my name rolls off her tongue—so sweet and alluring. I haven’t missed the few times her gaze has wandered from my biceps to my chest, and I won’t lie, I may have been staring at her lips as she spoke—longer than I should.
I’m usually never this distracted by a woman when I’m in work mode, especially if she’s an employee. But there’s something about Gemma that throws me off my rhythm.
I quickly skim her CV again, not wanting her to notice how her presencerattles me, and steer the conversation towards a lighter topic. “You mentioned you’re from the Gold Coast—what made you decide to move to Sydney?”
She clears her throat before speaking. “I needed a change of scenery. Don’t get me wrong, I love the beach life, but seeing the same places and the same people was starting to feel monotonous. I just wanted something different.”
“And how is living in Sydney working out for you?”
“Aside from not having any friends or family here, it hasn’t been too bad. My colleagues at the agency have been really welcoming and kind, but I do miss going out with friends. To be honest, I haven’t really explored much of Sydney yet,” she admits sadly.
I must not be thinking straight tonight, because the next words out of my mouth are something I never imagined saying to someone I barely know—let alone a new recruit. “I’d be happy to show you around town whenever we both have the time. I know the city pretty well, so I can take you to some great spots.”
