“I disagree.”
“So did I, which is why we offered Nick your position. What makes you think he’d take this one?”
“Because he’s already doing everything I’d want in an assistant manager, and if at any point I needed more, he’d give it. What he’s lacking is the title and the pay grade.”
“It would be a salaried position rather than hourly.”
“And he’d make more than he is now if compensated appropriately, which I believe you’d see to. He’d make what he deserves.”
“Send me your report. Butler’s pantry,” Nell instructed as catering staff rolled in a table holding wine, and beer already on ice. “Ask him. Since we offered him your job, we’ll certainly approve of this if he wants the position. Ask him, and if he does, tell him to contact me so we can discuss.”
“Thanks. I’ve got about fifteen minutes before I’m on if you need any help with the setup.”
“It’s okay,” Nell told her as another table holding glassware rolled in. “I’ve got it. Half behind the bar, half in the butler’s pantry.”
Satisfied, Morgan used her phone to send the reports as she headed down to Après.
Nick greeted her with his usual grin. “There she is! We’re killing it with the patio seating. Who wouldn’t want to sit outside on a day like this? And our apricot colada just hit number one on the cocktail list.”
“Really?”
“You’re going to need to order more puree.”
He filled more orders when she stepped behind the bar, checked the night’s schedule and inventory.
She waited for a lull. “The Jamesons are going to offer you the assistant manager position, with a salary commensurate to the job.”
“What? Wait. They already have you.”
“And they have you, and value you. You’re already doing the job, Nick. It’s time you’re compensated for it. It won’t add to your hours, but it will be salaried rather than hourly. I’ve recommended that salary, based on your experience, your skill, and what others in the position are offered.”
When she named it, she left him long enough to serve the next two guests.
“Why would they give me that much more for doing what I’m already doing?”
“For the same reason you’ve worked here for years. Go home, think about it, talk it over with Corrine. If you want to pursue it, contact Nell and discuss terms and details.”
“You went to Nell to say all this?”
“That’s part of my job, like it’ll be part of yours to tell me if I’m missing something.”
He walked over, kissed her cheek. “Thanks. I mean it. Whatever we decide, I mean it.”
He’d take it, she thought as he clocked out. She’d met his wife—and their adorable baby—and knew Corrine was a sensible woman.
She considered that duty checked off, then watched Opal on the floor. Hopefully she’d check off the next without too much resistance.
Chapter Fifteen
When she hit another lull—Morgan credited the party in the Presidential and the dinner hour—she called over one of the more experienced servers.
“I’m taking a break.”
“You never take a break.”
“I’m taking one. Cover the bar, watch your own section. Ten minutes. Things are slow right now.”
She went out to the floor, tapped Opal’s shoulder. “I need you for a few minutes.”
“Do I look like I have a few minutes?”
“Yes. Suzanne, cover Opal’s section. Ten minutes.”
Though she followed Morgan out, she grumbled about it. “I need to keep an eye on the new hires. The patio’s full.”
“Yes, but the floor and the bar aren’t.” She went outside, kept going until they were out of eye-and earshot. “I want to talk to you about Bailey.”
Opal went immediately on the defensive, hands on hips, eyes hot under bowl-cut bangs.
“She’s doing fine. If you’ve got a problem—”
“She’s doing more than fine. I want to train her on the bar.”
“I barely got her trained the right way as a server. I can’t spare her. You oughta know that if you know how to manage.”
“I do know how to manage, and we can discuss your problems with me another time.”
And since there were problems, Morgan thought, they needed to be dealt with.
“I can come in before shift any day you like and we’ll sit down on that. Meanwhile, I can use another on-call bartender, and I see Bailey as someone with the ability and the energy to cover the bar and the tables, as needed. It would give her a small pay raise and another skill set. Nell wants your input.”