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“I learned from the best.”
Our attention flashes to the opening of the kitchen when someone calls his name.
“Let me know if you need anything,” Maliki says. “I have all your stuff in your area, so you won’t need to search for anything.”
“Maliki, you don’t have to do that. It’smyjob.”
“And?”
“You don’t help Mikey set up his space. People will think you’re giving me preferential treatment.”
“Sierra, if someonedoesn’tthink I’m giving you preferential treatment, they’re dumb and should be fired.”
“I’m serious,” I whine with frustration.
He smiles, showing off his bright white teeth. “Look, you’re my friend, roommate, and … someone I like to look after.” He glances to the ceiling, either searching for the right word or asking God for an answer. “Little sister?”
Oh, hell no.
He didn’t just pull the little-sister card.
“Oh my God. Never refer to me as your little sister again.”
“That’s not how I meant it. What I’m saying is, it’s obvious I help you as much as I can and watch over you.” He shrugs. “That’s it.”
“While I appreciate that, I don’t want other employees talking shit about me.”
“They won’t.” He chuckles. “Not to your face.”
I kick my boots against the floor. “I already know they hate me.”
His voice lowers. “They thought it was weird.” Irritation flashes along his features. “Just like I’m protective of you, so are my employees of me. Not as much, but they are.”
I blink at him. “Protective of you for what?”
“Over me hanging out with a woman who has a boyfriend at home.”
His face falls as if he remembers every time I left him and went to Devin. Shame crushes through me.
Why did I do that to him? Why did I do that to myself?
He clears his throat. “I need to get back to work. Holler if you need anything.”
He walks away, his strides long, as if he wants to put as much distance between us as he can.
Guilt, so much fucking guilt, shatters through me.
* * *
I’ve already spilleda beer on myself and messed up three orders.
One waitress keeps shooting me death glares.
The other is giving Maliki all her orders after my screwup.
So much for proving myself tonight.
I’m blaming it on my conversation with Maliki. It completely threw me off my game.
