Seven hours later, she was fairly certain she was in purgatory. It wasn’t quite hell because she could still find stuff to laugh at, but her feet hurt so much she wanted to die. It defo wasn’t a good place.

“A classic daiquiri?” It was such an odd request for a place like this. She sighed, realizing who’d ordered. “Is this for Jai?”

It would explain a lot. This whole evening was her interview and she would be told at the end of the night whether or not she’d gotten the job. Then there would be normal things like corporate videos on safety—don’t cut yourself, don’t spit into the drinks no matter how much you want to—and procedures. There would be tons of paperwork. There was an odd comfort in paperwork.

The cocktail waitress Lisa had named Whiskey because of her throaty voice shook her head. “Nah. Jai likes Jäger. This is a superhot guy. I’m planning on going home with this dude. He’s with the cowboy. Don’t know his name because he always pays cash, but he comes in once a week or so. Usually during the day. Weird guy. I think he actually comes in for the buffet.”

With a wince she turned and poured the beers. Bartending had gotten her through college. By the time she’d gotten into grad school, Will had started making enough from his practice that he’d asked to pay for her school. He hadn’t liked her spending long nights at bars, but the truth was she kind of missed it. There was something deeply human about a good bar. A good bar could be a community, form a makeshift family for those who desperately needed one. Working in bars had taught her that kindness lurked in the oddest of places, and that sometimes those who were the most broken could also be the most human of all.

“What’s up with the daiquiri, New Girl? You don’t know how to make one?” Whiskey asked. She was a tall bleach blonde with beautiful golden-brown skin and a slender body. She had on a tiny mini skirt, sky-high stripper heels, and nothing else. “I could go and get Jazz, but she doesn’t like her breaks getting broke, if you know what I mean. I’m surprised because honestly so far you’ve been real solid back there. I lost a bet to Rosie. Said you wouldn’t make it an hour.”

She opened the fridge and thanked god that at least Jai had a proper bar. There were lots of chilled pub glasses for beers and exactly five classic cocktail glasses. She pulled one out and reached for the shaker. “I’m stronger than I look.”