Nes knew what drew her through Tony’s doors. It was the same thing that made her steps slow to a damn near crawl each time she passed it on her way down the block. A job. Or, at least, the hope that one day they’d have a ‘help wanted’ sign hanging in the window and she wouldn’t have to just bite the bullet and ask.
Working at the middle school was fine and all, but a secretary’s pay in this small of a town didn’t quite cut it when you had higher rent, a stack of bills to pay, and a thirteen year old daughter to feed.
She couldn’t ask her family for help, and sure as hell wouldn’t put it upon Matt, but there was no shame in finding additional work, right? A lot of single parents worked multiple jobs. Those first few years after Selvi was born she’d worked three. So why did Nes have so much trouble going through with the decision she’d been on the verge of making for months?
Not a clue, but by the time he re-emerged from the cellar she’d already lost her nerve.
“Uhm, just a menu if you don’t mind.” Tony’s hadn’t been around before the left town, and that unfamiliarity was appealing in terms of somewhere to work, but for lunch? It put her at a disadvantage… especially since she only ate halal.
Shit. She hadn’t thought this through at all, had she?
Dark eyes flicked up from the floor, full of uncertainty. “Do you, uh, do you any recommendations for something without meat?” And the fact that she had to ask - that she was as unfamiliar with Italian cuisine as she was the restaurant, itself - probably proved shouldn’t be looking for a job there in the first place.
Tony smiled as she spoke. “Vegan, vegetarian, halal or meat allergy?” He asked as he handed her a menu which was meat free. “I have a selection of halal dishes, vegetarian pastas and some pizzas which are vegan, including the base.” He said opening the door to the restaurant to let her into the warm, peaceful place he loved so dearly.
Once inside, he looked around. “Where would you like to sit? by the window to see the world go by? in the corner for some peace and quiet or by the bar to watch me slowly die of boredom as I label bottles of wine?” He chuckled and walked over to the bar. “ Take a seat anywhere that you feel comfortable and I’ll be with you in a second.”
Tony slipped out the back and sprayed himself with deodorant and then pulled on shirt and headed back out to her, grabbing a pen and pad on the way. “ Sorry I had a delivery today and I have two sick staff members so I am running the ship by myself today.” He explained as he blew a strand of hair from his face. “ What drink you like?”