Chapter 30.11
During the afternoon lull, Lauren arrived.
Ravina noticed because Selene's posture changed.
Not dramatically, but just enough to appear a little more tense.
The woman who entered commanded attention without demanding it. Tall and composed, she wore a sharply tailored black suit that contrasted with her pale hair and controlled expression. Her movements carried purpose, as if mapping familiar territory she owned rather than simply worked.
Selene approached without a hint of intimidation.
“Good afternoon.”
“Selene.”
Their conversation was low, professional. Inventory figures, delivery schedules, staffing concerns, weekend reservation conflicts—practical matters exchanged between confident equals.
Ravina balanced a tray of dishes, moving deliberately toward the kitchen when Lauren's gaze shifted, locking onto her.
“New hire?”
Selene glanced over. “Trial shift.”
Ravina paused.
Selene made a subtle gesture. “Ravina Shales.”
Ravina offered a polite smile. “Hello.”
Lauren's assessment wasn't rude, merely thorough, a clinical evaluation that stripped away pretense and examined capability.
“Hospitality experience?”
“Mist Pavilion.”
One perfect eyebrow lifted. “Violet City?”
“Yes.”
“Performance work?”
“Some.”
Lauren's gaze flickered toward Selene.
Selene nodded slightly. “She's adapting quickly.”
Lauren returned her attention to Ravina.
“Good.”
Ravina maintained her smile. “Planning to keep it that way.”
Something faintly amused touched Lauren's expression. “I hope so.”
Selene added: “She also intends to challenge Bugsy.”
Lauren's gaze shifted toward table six, where Bugsy remained absorbed in her research. Then back to Ravina.
“Ambitious.”
Ravina shrugged with practiced ease. “Eventually.”
Lauren nodded. “Good luck.”
“Thank you.”
That was it.
Lauren continued toward the office, her presence remaining in the room even after she'd departed.
Ravina watched her disappear, then turned to Selene. “Owner?”
Selene nodded. “Lauren Proton.”
Ravina mentally repeated the surname. Proton. Strong name. “She always that intense?”
Selene's smile was measured. “Only when she's awake.”
Ravina laughed as another table raised a hand and work resumed.
- - - - -
Chapter 30.12
By the end of the trial shift, Ravina's feet throbbed. Her shoulders ached from maintaining the perfect posture Selene demanded. Her smile, once genuine, now felt like a muscle pulled too tight.
She had successfully carried twenty-seven drinks, seven desserts, and four meals. She'd navigated one tray containing enough scalding tea to ruin her day and survived the encounter. The cursed pink tail had only made contact with two chairs and one wall.
Selene stood beside the counter reviewing something on a clipboard, her movements economical and precise.
Ravina sagged against the wall. "How bad?"
Selene looked up without raising her head. "You're leaning."
"That's because I'm dying."
"Try not to expire where customers can see."
Ravina straightened, adjusting the ridiculous Slowpoke ears that had shifted during her last table service.
Selene smiled, the approval making Ravina's spine lengthen instinctively. "Good."
Ravina sighed. "There's that word again."
"You respond well to it."
Ravina blinked at the insight, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten.
Selene returned to her clipboard, pen scratching decisively. Ravina watched her, then decided not to analyze the observation too closely.
Selene signed the bottom of the sheet with a flourish. "Well?"
Ravina waited.
"You didn't drop anything."
"High praise."
"You remembered almost every table."
"Almost."
"You handled customers well."
Ravina smiled despite herself. "And?"
"And I'd like to keep you."
Ravina brightened. "Really?"
"Really." Selene handed her the schedule. "Temporary staff. Four shifts this week. We can adjust around your Gym training."
Ravina took it, the paper feeling more significant than it should. "Thank you."
"You earned it."
The words settled warm in her chest, annoyingly good.
Ravina grinned. Selene reached beneath the counter and produced a small paper bag labeled with the café's logo.
"Staff meal."
Ravina stared at it. "I love this job."
Selene laughed. "Go home."