You could pay it and we’ll find out, sugar daddy
HARLAN
I actually love being called daddy so thank you
My bank thought it was fraud and refused to pay it. I tried
EMMA
Send me a calendar invite for whenever you’re free. I have things to do, people to see
HARLAN
PEOPLE TO DO?! I thought i was your daddy now
EMMA
(notifications silenced, reply urgent to notify)
HARLAN
URGENT
EMMA
What
HARLAN
Have a good day
SEVEN
EMMA
FEBRUARY
I toedopen the back door of Terre a Bouche, my friend Cindy’s farm to table restaurant in the Short North. We’d gone to culinary school together and stayed close ever since. The scent of fresh mint hit my nose and light strains of NPR floated in the air.
“Hellooo?” I called out. I walked to the kitchen, finding Cindy alone, a massive mountain of mint next to her.
“Hey,” she grunted.
“A lot of mint for February,” I mused.
“Well, I also received a lot of lamb for February. My butcher had an issue with his main cooler, so I had to shop from his freezer. I called in a favor to get this much mint. It’s not exactly in prime condition.”
I plucked a leaf from her workspace and popped it in my mouth. Spearmint spread across my tongue. “Eh, tastes fine to me. I’m sure you’ll make it lovely.”
Her face softened. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. How’d the other night go? You do alright without me?”
I’d sent a flare out to see if Cindy could step in for Miguel, but she already had her hands full that night. I clamped my jaw thinking of the real highlight of that evening.Actually, Cindy, I got my fingers sucked by an NHL goalie. All things considered, I did fine without you!
“Oh, it was fine. Hectic, but we made it.”
“Next time, let me know ahead of time and I’ll clear my schedule.” She gestured to the front of the restaurant with her knife. “If you want to go out and make yourself an espresso, I’ll be right out.”
“Me? Using the coveted Marzocco?” Sometimes I suspected Cindy opened this place just so she could get the Ferrari of espresso machines.