Red Nights - Shari J. Ryan Page 0,49

I might be late. Then I see that he’s pointing across the restaurant. “Get rid of her please.” What the hell?

I stalk toward the back table where Aspen is seated, her nose up in the air, her arms folded across her chest. “What are you doing here?” I ask, gritting my teeth. It was hard enough telling her she was fired; now she’s come back to make me kick her out, too.

“I’m having dinner with Tanner.” She makes it sound like it’s a regular occurrence. “As friends only,” she stresses with light laughter.

“Why here?” In the restaurant you were fired from. I look over my shoulder trying to gauge Grant’s mood. He’s thumbing through some papers at the host desk. I stare just long enough to catch his eye. He nods—an indication that they need to leave.

“Where’s Tanner?”

“Right here,” he says, placing his hands on my shoulders from behind. “I was in the restroom.”

“You guys have to go,” I say again. But Tanner ignores me and slides into the booth across from Aspen. “I’m serious.”

“Liss, I came here, using Aspen as an ally so you’d talk to me.”

Shit. I never got back to him.

“I’m sorry I accused you two of sleeping together, okay? I’ll call you when I get out of work. I just need her to leave.”

“Fine,” she squeaks. “I’m leaving.” She bounces out of the booth and struts over to Grant. She grabs his tie, pulls him toward her and whispers something into his ear. He struggles away from her, pulling his tie from her grip, then takes her by the arm and leads her outside. A dramatic exit is par for the course with Aspen.

“Liss,” Tanner pulls my attention back. “I didn’t sleep with her. I wouldn’t.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” I point to the kitchen. “I’m late for my shift.”

“Wait, one more thing,” he says, grabbing my elbow. “Aspen told me about the fire—that they’re considering it arson, and questioning you.” My stomach churns with anger. “No one is going to think it was your fault.” His words should make me relax, but instead, I feel sicker. He releases my arm. “You wouldn’t return my texts. This was the only way to talk to you. Call me so we can talk about all of this. I’m worried about you. You’re still my friend, Liss. I care about you and I want you to be careful, especially with an arsonist out there.”

“I will.”

“Go,” he says nodding in the direction of the kitchen, “I’ll catch you later.” He slides out of the booth and makes his way toward the door, ignoring Grant’s blazing glare.

I feel like I’m suffocating here. Life is strangling the hell out of me, and I’m fighting so hard for air that doesn’t seem to exist.

“I’m guessing I don’t need to tell you he’s not welcome back in here either, right?” Grant asks, walking into the kitchen behind me.

I turn around, stopping short in my tracks. “The fire investigation is showing up as arson, and I’m a suspect. My friends were coming to check on me. They think I’m a loose cannon. I have no fucking idea why they might think that, but they do.” I pull my hair together in the back, tying it up in a tight knot. “I’m barely holding it together right now, Grant. Barely. I’ll understand if you don’t want me working for you any more in light of my new baggage.”

He drops his hands into his pockets and leans back against the tiled wall. I believe he’s tongue-tied. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the other cooks and kitchen staff biting their lips, acting like they didn’t just hear every word I said.

“I’m sorry,” he says under his breath.

“You made me fire my friend a week after my brother died.” The words feel sour coming out. Saying it aloud makes it sound even shittier than I thought it was. I manage this kitchen, and I’d never put someone through that. I’d at least give them some time. Maybe that makes me a bad manager, but I have a heart. I can’t be faulted for that.

Grant turns around and punches the wall. He runs his fingers through his hair as he turns back around. He’s looking at me with this unsettling expression. “Come here.”

He places his hand on my back and leads me into one of the food closets. He flips the light on and closes the door. Panic surges through me. Everyone saw me walk in here…right?