Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 64354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
“When did you get in?”
“A few minutes ago.”
He raised a brow and asked, “Why did you go to work, instead of your apartment?”
“So my assistant manager could go home to his family.”
Tory gestured in a circular motion and said, “Pan the camera around so I can see your diner—even though as we both know, you’re actually an indispensable part of a highly trained F1 crew, and this is just your side hustle.” That made both of us smile.
I felt a sense of pride as I flipped the camera and walked around the dining room. “It was built in the 1920s,” I said, “and I’m its third owner. My son-in-law became my business partner a few months back, and thanks to his investment I’ve finally been able to fix it up. The paint and flooring is new, and so are these gorgeous, dark red booths. I’ve refinished the counter, but I still need to refurbish the stools, upgrade the light fixtures, and do some other stuff. I’ve been working on it bit by bit, because a lot of my regulars are seniors who rely on this place. They’d have a hard time if we were shut down for an extended period of time, and—shit, sorry. I’m supposed to be coming up with colorful stories for you, not boring you with my real life.”
As I turned the camera to face me again, he said, “I don’t think this is boring at all. I have a thing for classic American diners, and yours is a thing of beauty.”
I beamed at him and started to make my way through the building, shutting off lights along the way. “It is, isn’t it? I’ve been working here since my son was tiny, and it means so much to me to finally be able to give it the love and attention it deserves with this remodel.”
“You’re doing a great job. The new stuff blends seamlessly with the vintage look and feel.”
“Thanks.” I shifted the phone to my other hand and said, “You’ve gotten to see my surroundings, so can I see where you are? It’s only fair.”
He said, “There’s not much to see,” but he panned the camera around anyway.
Tory was sitting on a dark gray sofa in a gray-on-gray living room. It was nice, but it also felt impersonal somehow, which made me ask, “Are you in a hotel?”
“No. It’s one of those furnished flats that are mostly used by businessmen on extended stays in the US. My cousin found it for me, and I moved in today.”
“The same cousin that got you the private jet?” He nodded, and I said, “That reminds me, how was your flight?”
“Quick and uneventful. I was glad I had some company, but you would have been much more fun.” With that, he angled the phone so I could see the stuffed eggplant. It was right beside him on an end table, propped up against the base of a lamp.
I grinned and said, “Aw, you kept him.”
“Of course I did. He’s the only interesting thing in this place.”
I’d reached my office, and as I curled up on the couch, Tory asked, “Aren’t you going home?”
“There’s not much point. Five a.m. will be here before I know it, so I might as well sleep here.”
He sighed and said, “I wish you’d take better care of yourself.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re planning to spend the night on an uncomfortable-looking couch without so much as a blanket or pillow, instead of taking yourself home to your bed.”
“It’s not that bad.” My stomach rumbled loudly just then, and I muttered, “Wow, embarrassing.”
Tory’s brow instantly creased with concern. “Did you eat dinner tonight?”
“I had a sandwich and a Coke while I was driving.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Six hours, maybe.”
Now he looked frustrated. “You’re in a restaurant. There must be food there, so go find something to eat.”
“There are ingredients in the walk-in, but the kitchen’s spotless and everything’s shut down for the night.”
“How far is your apartment from the diner?”
“About three miles.”
“Please go home, eat something, and sleep in an actual bed.”
I asked, “Why does this matter to you?”
“Because I like you, Armando, and I want to know you’re taking care of yourself.”
That was actually very sweet. “Fine, I’m going.” I sat up and asked, “Want me to text you when I get there?”
“I’d like it if you video called me.”
“To prove I didn’t just stay on the couch in my office?”
He grinned and said, “Maybe.”
I grinned too and told him, “I’ll talk to you soon.”
It didn’t take long to drive to my apartment. I brought my things inside and found the second stuffed eggplant in the tote bag. Then I changed into pajama pants and a clean T-shirt and looked in my refrigerator. It was pretty empty, but I found the end of a block of cheese and brought it with me to the bedroom.