Unwanted

30

Avery was focused on Shelby's laptop screen when the door to Shelby's office opened and Ian walked in.

"Someone wanted to see you," he said and Avery frowned. But Ian stepping aside and Annabelle coming into view instantly cleared Avery's confusion and she stood up to greet Anna.

"Avery!" Anna ran towards her and Avery caught her and picked her up with a laugh.

"Oh, Anna," she smiled and the two of them hugged tightly.

"How was your vacation?" Annabelle asked and Avery smiled before placing Anna in a chair to sit.

"It was really good, but you know? I missed you a lot." Avery told her and Anna grinned.

"I missed you too,"

"Bet you didn't miss me as much as I missed you," Avery challenged and Anna gasped.

"Did too!"

Ian stepped in. "I can attest to that. She asked for you everyday."

The cloud of fear of upcoming events in her life that was surrounding Avery lifted a little bit and she grinned at Annabelle.

"Well the only way for us to not miss each other anymore is if we hang out. Would you like to come and eat lunch with me?" Avery asked and Annabelle eagerly smiled and nodded.

Avery turned to Ian and asked for a silent permission and he quickly nodded.

"Please go ahead, I'll be in my office when you're done." Ian said and Avery and Anna stood up. Avery held her hand out and Annabelle grabbed on and the two of them walked towards the door.

"No lactose," Ian reminded and Avery rolled her eyes.

"I remember," she said before the two of them walked away.

Ian walked over to closed the laptop screen but he stopped when he noticed an apartment listing website. His brows furrowed into a frown and he noticed none of the listings were this town, let alone Arizona.

Avery is moving to California?

[•]

Someone knocked on Ian's door and he ordered for them to come in. Closing his computer screen, he looked up at Finn and stood up.

"You wanted to see me?" Finn asked and Ian nodded and pointed to a chair across from him.

"Yeah, have a seat," Ian moved around his desk. He never liked speaking to people while he sat behind his desk. It made him feel like he was a principal scolding school children.

"I'm understaffed in the kitchen, we need more servers," Ian explained and Finn nodded in agreement. He's been complaining about this with Shelby for a while now.

"Yeah, I've bought it up to Shelby a couple of times now."

"Yes, she's told me, and we're working on hiring some more people."

"However, Shelby has her hands full and she can't take on the task of hiring and training anyone right now." Ian admitted and Finn let out a disappointed sigh.  He had his hopes up for nothing.

"Which is where we're hoping you could help us," Ian stated and Finn looked up at him. Ian leaned against his desk and shrugged at Finn.

"How would you like to be a shift/hiring manager?"

"That's Shelby's job,"

"Yes, but she's also Shelby and she takes on every other job and her schedule is full. She doesn't have time to do interviews and all of that stuff. She came to me overwhelmed and suggested you. You've been here for a while. You were here when it almost shut down and when we re-opened again. You know the type of people to keep the club running."