Page 90 of Go Back to December

“I just saw Justin! No one said anything to me—”

“You were recovering from an assault! There was an issue with the audio file. Lacy said she’d re-record it. And before you throw the rest of your toys out of the sandbox, it’s already done.”

Taken care of. Without my consultation or participation, which is what I’m really upset about.

Lacy and Amal exchange a glance before Lacy excuses herself to use the restroom.

Amal points to the bar. “You need coffee.”

“You’re not making me coffee on a holiday.”

“It’s already made.” She flaps a hand. “Sit.”

Slowly, I drop onto the stool. “You should have called me.”

“Like you called me to strategize about how to handle this vote?”

My face flames. She’s right. I’ve intentionally left her out of our plan. “I didn’t want any of you to worry.”

“Did you really think the rest of us wouldn’t do whatever it takes to save the café from this merger? You should have told us.”

It’s true; I should have. I’ve behaved exactly like Baz, trying to work out everything on my own before involving them.

I moan and sink my head in my hands. “I’m sorry.”

“We want to help.”

“I don’t deserve it, but I would be grateful for it.”

Her expression softens. “You’ve been dealing with a lot. The attack, caring for Baz—”

“Baz takes care of himself.”

She tilts her head quizzically. “I think you mean that.”

“Why are you so concerned about Baz? His morning routine includes an agenda item for our daily torment.”

She tries to fight off a laugh, and then gives in, shaking her head as Lacy returns.

“What did I miss?”

“Mel thinks Baz torments us.”

“Right.” Lacy giggles.

My head bobs between them. “He does!”

Amal looks at Lacy. “He didn’t tell her.”

“Apparently not.”

“WHAT?”

“The legal benefit we receive as Blackhart & Steele employees.” Amal dabs her eye with a napkin. “Who did you think was our contact?”

Our staff often come to us with issues that would bar them from other avenues of employment: asylum status applications; delinquent child support payments; housing application denials based on expunged records. As part of our intentional hiring policy, Blackhart & Steele helps them navigate the bureaucracy.

“No.” My jaw dangles open. I look pleadingly at Lacy.