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But it just didn’t feel like New York was the place for him anymore.
He wanted a different adventure.
Hannah’s pitch for Midwest Blindness—not being recognized even when you’re recognized because Midwesterners assume you’re not who they think you are—also helped.
He rubbed a hand along his jaw, still not used to his facial hair being gone. He’d shaved off his “signature” beard a couple days ago. He barely recognized himself in the mirror.
Not only that but his face had leaned out from the last time he’d been clean shaven. A mix of his ADHD meds and not having an appetite over the fire drama and he’d dropped weight. He felt it in his clothes and in his skin.
He didn’t like it.
His doctor was going to be pissed, he realized, tracing the sharp line of his jaw with his fingertips.
“You’ve only been here a week and what? Already have a stalker? No, thank you.” Max’s Long Island accent wasn’t as strong as it used to be. After years of doing business all over the world, he’d mostly dropped it. But when he was with friends, family, or when he was agitated, it would show up strong again.
Strong and nasal. Just like his ma.
“She’s not a stalker,” Dave replied with a soft smile.
“How would you know?” Max spat. “You never see the crazy until it’s burning your house down.”
Leslie chuckled and turned it into a deep throat clear to cover it.
“I’ll have her checked out. Would that make you happy?” Dave offered, already knowing Sabine would pass the background check with ease. She’d passed Hannah’s after all.
“Yes. Actually.” Max agreed. “I would feel better.”
Dave and Leslie exchanged a look that they had shared many times over the years.
Max’s default setting was “tightly wound.” To be his friend meant tolerating a lot of neuroses.
The door opened and Sabine returned with their drinks.
Max eyed her suspiciously.
Okay, time to end this.
“Sabine?” Dave asked, suddenly unsure he had her name correct. She tilted her head to listen. “I’m sorry, one of us should have mentioned this. My friend Max can’t have gluten.”
“Oh!” Her eyebrows arched and she looked to Max. “Would you like a cider or wine? We have several gluten free options. I can even make you something at the bar. I highly recommend the Alderaan Sunrise. It’s like a tequila sunrise, but it has this burnt aftertaste that can be fun if you’re able to ignore the guilt.”
All three men blinked at her. Leslie covered his mouth which Dave knew was his way of hiding a smile. Max opened his mouth to say something and couldn’t.
Dave chuckled.
Max flattened his lips, trying to stay upset. “A hard cider.”
Dave narrowed one eye at his friend.
“Please,” Max added begrudgingly.
“Not a problem. I’ll be right back.” She hurried to the door and turned back. “Oh! The wings are safe for you! You can eat them.” She flashed one more smile and was gone.
“See? She’s nice,” Dave pointed out.
“So was Nora,” Max countered.
Leslie snorted. “No, she wasn’t.”
