Page 83 of Sizzle

“And you’ll be busy with work and school, too, soon enough,” he says, nodding slowly. He smiles. “I hope you know you’re welcome back home any time. I’ll keep your room ready, just in case apartment life doesn’t suit you.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I lean in for another bear hug.

“I have to say, I was surprised when Connie told me you’d be here today. Did your schedule at the restaurant change?”

“In a manner of speaking,” I say, fixing my gaze out the window. “I, um… I don’t work there anymore.”

“What? Are you kidding?”

I shake my head. “It just… it didn’t work out.”

“What does that mean? Did you get fired?”

“No,” I tell him, wrapping my arms around my body. “We just… we weren’t a good fit.”

Of all the lies I’ve ever told in my life—and I like to think there aren’t that many, but I mean in my whole, whole life, ever—I suspect this one is the biggest.

“Bullshit,” says Dad. I actually laugh.

Because he’s right. That’s about the biggest crock of shit I’ve ever heard, much less uttered. Nothing and nobody fit together like me and that kitchen.

Except Elliot and Alex and me. But clearly I was lying to myself about that, too.

I squeeze my arms tighter.

“It’s okay,” I tell Dad. “I made enough contacts at Duckbill, so I shouldn’t have a problem finding more work.”

Dad’s shaking his head at me. I can tell he wants to argue, but he doesn’t want to upset me all over again.

“If you say so,” he says. We sit in silence for a minute, then Dad speaks up again.

“So Connie mentioned something about your boyfriend. Anything you want to tell me?”

This time when I burst into tears, I can’t make it stop.

25

Elliot

It’s nearly two in the morning when I finally pull up to the curb at Duckbill. The open sign has been shut off, as have most of the dining room lights. I can see the kitchen light still burning, which means Anna’s still closing the place up. Perfect.

I’ve been driving so long my ass is numb. I need out of this car and a drink. Many drinks.

It didn’t seem right going back to my apartment at Alex’s house, not after… what happened earlier.

My face goes hot and I shove the memory away. I see Anna moving around near the door, so I lock up my car and hurry for the door. I don’t know when it got so damn cold out, but I swear I feel icicles forming across the scruff of my beard.

I don’t want to startle her more than necessary by banging on the door so I wait until Anna turns my way to wave at her. She pushes the door open, letting me squeeze past her before she yanks it shut again.

“You know, boss, there’s this thing called texting,” she says, rubbing her arms.

I probably should have thought of that instead of just showing up here after hours like this. I shrug.

“Had a change of plans,” I say instead. “Are you done for the night?”

Anna nods.

“Just double checking the locks up here. I’m parked out back.”