too if you slowed down a little and took the time to look.”
He snorted. “The only thing I’ve found is a boss who’s a royal pain in my ass. Do you know how often I’ve wanted to tell him to fuck off?”
“If you’re so miserable there, why don’t you find another job?”
“The son of a prick really pays well.”
“Then suck it up and stop bitching already. At least you’ve got a job.”
“What’s with that? I’m kind of surprised you don’t already have something lined up. My résumé is shit compared to yours.”
I took a gulp of my water, wanting to evade a direct answer, but I’d sworn not to lie to him again. “I think I’m being blackballed.”
“What does that even mean?”
I related the whole sordid affair of my interview. By the time I was finished, he was in the bedroom and half-undressed.
“What the actual fuck, man?” he blew up. “He said that about Dad and Declan?”
“Yeah, and you should see the way he treats one of his nonbinary workers.”
“Surely, he can’t get in the heads of every businessman in Cincinnati.”
“Apparently, he thinks he can, and I can’t tell if it’s working or if I’m being paranoid. I had one interview scheduled, and they called back to cancel it on account of me being overqualified.”
“Have you told Dad? I bet Declan could do something about that.”
“No, and you won’t say anything either.” I glared at him lest he thought this was the time he should do the opposite of what I said. “Swear on the twinship, Os.”
He rolled his eyes at me. The power of the twinship was something he’d come up with in middle school, and it never got old. “By the power vested in the twinship, yada yada, I swear I’ll not say anything, but I think you should.”
“I’ll handle it.”
He sighed. “You know it’s still okay to ask for help, right?”
Jeez, what’s with everyone telling me the same thing lately?
“And I will when I need it.”
But we both knew I’d likely not ask unless it was almost too late. Oscar didn’t even bother to call me out on it.
“Been back to the dungeon?” he asked instead.
“Not yet, but I’ve been to a munch.”
“I bet you don’t want to talk about that either?”
My phone vibrated as a call came in from an unknown number.
“I’m getting another call, bro. I need to take it. Maybe it’s a callback for an interview.”
“Kay, call me if you need anything. Love you.”
“Love you too, Os.” I ended the call and quickly tapped the incoming one before it rang off. “Hello.”
Nothing came from the other end of the line except for light breathing.
Charles?
“Anyone there?”
“Um, hey.”
The voice sounded familiar, but the person was speaking too low for me to place it. “Hey, right back. Who is this?”
“It’s me.”
And just like that, the voice gained a face. “Jackie?”
“Yeah.”
I was surprised they called me. They hadn’t given me their number after the munch.
The disappointment it wasn’t Charles gave way to curiosity. “How are you?”
“You said I could call if I needed a friend.” They paused. “I need a friend.”
Their voice sounded really small, and that bothered me. “Sure thing. What’s up?”
“Um, it’s awkward doing this over the phone. Are you doing anything right now, or can we meet somewhere? I mean, it’s completely okay if you have something else to do.”
“I was actually contemplating going out for dinner. If you haven’t eaten as yet, we could grab a bite together.”
“I was about to have some leftovers, but dinner sounds good.”
“Great.” I glanced at the time on my phone. “Butcher & Wine good for you?”
“Sure. Meet you there at seven thirtyish?”
“Sounds good.”
After I hung up, I went to take a shower. I hadn’t expected Jackie to use my number. Although we’d had an okay time at the munch, they’d hung out with us only for half an hour before they left. I hadn’t been sure if I’d be hearing from them again.
At seven fifteen, I arrived at the restaurant and texted Jackie to find out where they were. A voice message came in almost immediately that they would be there in a minute. An older-model Mazda rolled into the driveway and parked opposite mine. The outdoor lights made it quite easy to spot them behind the wheel.
They looked smashing when they came out of the car, wearing a soft pink-and-white-striped dress with ruffled quarter sleeves. Their bare legs were set off by strappy high-heeled sandals. They hooked the thin gold straps of a pink bag over their