Chapter Text
It was the third and final stop of the day, serving as another reminder why you should always check the Yelp reviews before going out for drinks in Philadelphia. Josephine stepped out of the taxi and looked at the drab and decaying building that was “Paddy’s Pub.” Her forms revealed the bar had passed with flying colors the years before. Hopefully that trend kept up, as Josephine definitely did not need any more bar and restaurant owners going off on her because their dumpsters weren't six feet away from the building’s back door.
She straightened out her casual Friday outfit, feeling a little too casual to be taken seriously even though her other coworkers dressed the same on these blessed days. Her straight leg jeans and band tee layered over a navy mock neck were cute, right?
Whatever, it’s not like the people she meets with are ever anything other than rude, rushed, and gros—
“Um, hi there. Can I help you?” A scruffy and speckled man spoke to Josephine, only a little older than herself. Also, she suspected he had gotten a tip about the inspection- who else would greet a person on the street that way?
”Are you the owner of Paddy’s Pub?” she asked.
“Well- uh, co-co-owner, but yeah, yeah.”
“My name is Josephine. I’m a health inspector with the city of Philadelphia. If you haven’t heard already, it’s time for your establishment’s annual surprise inspection.” She stuck out her hand.
The man lightly blushed at the last statement, than reached forward and grasped her hand.
His hand was rough and sticky. It wasn’t great, but Josephine had had worse.
Way worse. She shuddered, thinking back to her last romantic encounter, her lover for the night being too overzealous with his fingers, and under zealous in his ability to heed suggestions.
Josephine pried her hand out of his grip that was lasting a bit long and walked into Paddy’s, with the puppy dog of a man trailing behind.