Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Galvin nodded. “Accepted and deferred. I saw how much it was going to cost me and figured I needed to build my savings account up before I go,” she told Jack. “Which is why I’m here.”
“A lot of people work while in school,” Jack told her. “I know the schools tell you to spend all your free time studying, but honestly, how much can you study?”
Jack had a point. Having her nose buried in overpriced books wasn’t her idea of a good time and wished there was some magic whatever to get her from now to passing the bar exam.
“Anyway.” Jack leaned back in his chair and cross his ankle over his knee. “It’s been nice catching up with your dad. He’s very proud of you.”
A grin spread across her face. “I’ll have to thank him.”
Jack smiled back. “As you know, I told your dad you could work here. It’s up to forty hours a week, sometimes more. My oldest runs somewhat of a dance club or whatever he likes to call it in the back on the weekends. He may ask if you want to work there, but it’s not required as part of your employment here. And as luck would have it, the studio above the diner is available. Your dad said he’s paying your rent?”
Galvin nodded.
“Don’t tell my sons,” he said, laughing. “I don’t want them to get any ideas about me paying for their rent.”
“I promise.” Not that Galvin knew who his sons were or how many he had.
“Before I show you around the diner, let’s head up to the loft. One of my boys is around and he can help bring your things up after we’ve finished the tours.” Jack stood. “I just want to prepare you for when you meet my wife, Pearl. Once I told her you were Martin’s daughter, she insisted on you living at our house so she can take care of you. The family invites will be plentiful. Feel free to ignore them,” Jack chuckled.
“Thanks.” Although it was unlikely she would ignore any or most of them. Having a family was something Galvin always wanted. She grew up without her mom being in her life and longed to have a motherly connection with someone.
Jack walked down the hall away from the diner, and through the back door. They were in a small courtyard with a picnic table and one of those beach umbrellas. In the corner was a wooden staircase.
“This is where staff come to take their breaks,” Jack told Galvin. He pointed to the stairs. “Those are the stairs to the loft.”
“Do I come through the diner to get to them?”
“No,” he said as they climbed. “There is another set on the front side. I’ll show you after we do a quick tour.”
They reached a small landing where a tiny bench sat, allowing someone to sit and look out toward the water. The railing was wide enough for plants or some potted vegetables if she wanted to grow something.
Jack opened the door and waited for her to enter.
The small space had a broom, mop, and a garbage can already there, and on the wall, a shelf with pegs to hang coats.
He motioned for her to step into the kitchen. The oven, refrigerator, and two counters were going to be perfect for her. One had an overhang, giving her space to eat and study at. The sink looked over the courtyard and had a ledge she could use for more plants.
“There isn’t a dishwasher.”
“I don’t need one,” she told him as she looked around the furnished studio. Galvin stepped into the living space. It was bigger than she expected, and she could easily separate her living room from her bedroom with a wall of bookcases.
“It’s not much,” Jack said as they stood in the space. “Your rent includes all the utilities, including the internet. You’ll have a parking pass to park on the street behind the diner. There’s a pathway you can take unless you want to walk around the block.”
“Honestly, this is perfect.”
“Great. We’ll sign a lease to protect ourselves, but this place is yours as long as you want it.”
Galvin nodded and thanked Jack. He put his hand on her shoulder, in a friendly yet fatherly gesture. She was going to like living in Seaport.
“Now, about the diner. I hope you like to be busy.”
“Is it like that all the time?” Galvin pointed toward the window.
“Pretty much. It dies down after dinner, but we get the late-night crowd as they leave the bars.”
“How late are you open?”
“Until three in the morning on Friday and Saturday. Midnight on the other nights.”
“Wow.”
“Don’t worry, scheduling is flexible.”
“So, you’re not really a diner?”
Jack laughed and shook his head. “We haven’t been a diner in the true sense of the word in years. There’s a lot of money to be made in this town, and we like to make it. I’ll take you down and introduce you to Penny. She’s my niece and the manager of Carter’s. You’ll like her.”