This Is My Brain in Love - I. W. Gregorio Page 0,66

we started catering, and we’re not even fully implemented. But we’ve already had a ten percent increase in online orders compared to two weeks ago.” I pause. “The tricky thing is to figure out how much we’re cannibalizing from in-person ordering, which can be hard to get a handle on. Speaking of that, I’ve been asking around, and Manny says that when Amazing Stories switched to an iPad-based system for checkout they got lower credit card fees, and cash-flow and inventory tracking got a heck of a lot easier.”

“Fine, let’s get it in writing,” Jocelyn concedes, biting her lip. “Sure as heck would be amazing to get rid of all this paper. Half the time Alan forgets to stick the receipt when it’s paid and then the register’s all off.”

“I’ll start a proposal right now.” I’ve already opened a Word document to type up a pro/con list for Mr. Wu.

“I love it when you talk dirty to me,” Jocelyn whispers, glancing over to the propped-open door leading to the kitchen, where her mother is chaperoning while prepping vegetables.

For a few minutes the only sound is the lightning-fast click of fingers on the number pad Jocelyn’s hooked up to her laptop and the scratch of a ballpoint pen when she marks each one registered. When the noise stops, she’s beaming.

“No drop in in-person orders,” she says. “In fact, we’re up five percent.”

“Total customers, or cost of average order?”

“Both.” She scrolls through her calculations. “But average orders are up a bit.”

I bite my lip. “Do you itemize every sale, to see if some things are more popular? Like the pot stickers?”

Jocelyn shudders. “Are you kidding me? We can’t go into that level of detail. Two years ago my dad still did his accounts in a spiral notebook.”

I nod. “Another benefit of cloud-based point of sale. Your dad won’t know what hit him.”

JOCELYN

Who knew that a random set of numbers on a screen could make you feel so good?

I feel giddy, like I can’t get enough air in with each breath, electric at the idea that, according to the math at least, we’re doing it. A-Plus is doing better. Because of what we’ve done.

I want so badly to lean over and put my hand on Will’s cheek and see if he’s feeling it, too. Is there the tiniest ache in his muscles, as if they’re coiled with anticipation and ready to spring into action with the next step in our plan? Does he feel like his skin’s too sensitive, so that he feels the rub of his shirt too acutely when he moves his shoulders too much?

I want to do something spontaneous. I want to run a 5K. I want to go crash a kiddie party and jump in a bounce house. Trouble is, I can’t leave the restaurant to do anything because I can’t go out alone with Will. I look at him, studiously typing away at his freaking pro forma with an adorable crease between his eyes, and realize I’d rather stay here with him, both of us hamsters in an endless spreadsheet wheel, than be out and alone.

If that’s not a sign of true love, I don’t know what is.

This Is My Brain Off Script

JOCELYN

I’m still buzzing with low-level anticipation when Priya comes over bright and early Saturday morning to start shooting our submission to the All American High School Film Festival. I don’t know if I’ve ever had so much going on in my life: a new movie project, trying to save the restaurant, a not-boyfriend. Why does it feel like I’m at the top of a mountain, staring off a cliff?

We have a tradition now on our first official day of production: a selfie with our script. Every project has a working title that’s basically a code word; this one’s is Pot Sticker.

Amah, my chaperone for the day once Will gets in and finishes his tutoring session with Alan, is all set for her star turn, having traded in her around-the-house cardigan set for a somewhat newer one that doesn’t have frayed sleeves and a stain of unknown origin on the hem.

“I am ready for my close-up, Priya darling.” She puts her hand up to her mouth and whispers, “I put on rouge and steal some old lipstick from my daughter, do not tell her.”

“You look fabulous. The camera’s going to love you.” Priya fiddles with her camera, making sure that Amah is standing at the precise area I did when we did all our checks. “Mrs. Wu,