Page 2 of These Fractured Bonds

The door clicked shut; Yareli slumped forward, then threw her head back. Her nerves were at an all-time high. She paced, wringing her hands. The strange customer wasn’t the only reason why she was shaken; the desire to do well dogged her every step. Sheneededthis job. If she failed the provisionary period, she’d be back to square one—unemployed without enough zeros in her bank account for rent.

She slapped her cheeks. “Come on, pull yourself together.”

The stifling silence fell from her, melting away as her anxiety calmed, and she found comfort in it. She pulled out a couple ofpieces of clothing, trying on the brown leggings and green tunic shirt first. She found a white sash nearby, tying it around her waist like Donna’s. Looking in the mirror, she admired how it framed her body and thought that if she lived in a fantasy book, she’d be really cute.

“I could definitely kick ass in this,” she said, throwing a kick in the air. She laughed at her pitiful attempt; she wasnota fighter.

Seeing herself in uniform was like taking the pin out of her remaining stress; she spun, picking up the other style—a green, short barmaid dress. She tied the corset around her waist.Oh.

“These are pretty,” she mumbled.

During the interview, Donna had presented their uniforms as some sort of barrier, something she’d hate, but Yareli had taken one look at the photos and knew she’d be fine. Wearing them now, she was glad she was right. She looked hot with a capital “H.”

She slipped on thigh-high socks before the brown boots.Yup. She was definitely not returning the uniform if she quit… or was fired. Her phone buzzed.

Good luck today.

Warmth spread across her chest; her friend, August, had remembered it was her first day.

Thanks! Will tell you all about it tomorrow.

His reply was instantaneous.Perfect.

Her gaze snagged on her reflection one more time.If things work out here, I’ll make the first move, she promised. She deserved to give it a shot, even if she doubted he felt the same. She exhaled.One problem at a time,Reli.She had to get to work.

DonnahandedYareliaclipboard with a list. “Although we are a twenty-four-hour cafe, we have a list of chores that mustbe completed during every shift to keep our operations smooth. As you’re mostly working our evening shift, you’ll be working alongside Don often.”

Yareli scanned the room, noting the customer had left, but found no one else in the cafe.

Donna said, “Don will be here soon. Do you have any questions about anything?”

Take out the trash, wash dishes, and refill the sugar.All basic things.

“No questions.”

“Perfect.”

The door creaked open, and a tall, brown-haired man carrying large grocery bags strode in. His blue eyes met hers, and a half-smile formed on his lips.

“You must be Yareli,” he said, placing down the bags. “I’m Don, resident baker.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Yareli said, shaking his hand. Her gaze slid between him and Donna, noting their similarities.

“We’re twins,” Donna stated.

Don’s grin widened. “You can tell us apart by our hair.”

His friendliness was contagious, and Yareli found herself laughing. He was right; his brown hair was lighter than Donna’s darker shade.

The door slammed open, and a loud voice boomed across the room. “I heard we have a new team member!”

A slightly shorter, blond man walked in. He adjusted the duffel strap across his chest, revealing the college logo on his jacket. Yareli’s eyes widened.

“You go to North College?” she exclaimed.

He winked at her. “You too?”

She nodded, stunned by the rapid development. She hadn’t expected someone from her college to work there.