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“Asshole!” I say to him.
He glares at me, his blue eyes like ice. “You do not talk to me like that.”
I scoff and cross my arms over my chest. “I’m pretty sure the burning building behind me signifies that I’m out of a job. Therefore, you’re not my boss anymore and I can talk to you however the hell I want.”
He clenches his jaw as he stares at me. I get under his skin, I always have. Ever since he asked me out about a year ago when I first started working for him and I declined him immediately. I’m not the biggest fan of assholes.
“Careful, Juliette. I have insurance. The restaurant may be gone but I can always rebuild. I’m assuming you’ll want your job back once I do. We both know how hard it is to find a well-paying job these days,” he says, giving me a pitiful look.
Jerk. His restaurant’s burning down and yet he has time to engage in verbal sparring with me. He really doesn’t realize that his life is over.
“Is your insurance going to cover a lawsuit?” I question.
He narrows his eyes in my direction. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re a smart man, Rell. Surely, you realize that you don’t have plausible deniability in this situation. Some people came over to inform you about the gas leak. I’m guessing they tried to persuade you to close down the restaurant until the matter was resolved. But you didn’t. Which means that you’re partially liable for the fire. You’re lucky no one was hurt. If I were you, I’d be hoping the fire doesn’t spread to any of the neighboring businesses. Otherwise, you’re going to have a lot more than one lawsuit to contend with.”
I can practically see his brain turning over the possibilities. He’s probably thinking of a way out of this. Trying to craft a solution. I see the exact moment he realizes there isn’t one.
“You’re not getting the restaurant back, Rell.”
It’s like he doesn’t even hear me. His gaze turns to the restaurant.
“I think he’s actually in shock,” Perry says, sidling up next to me.
We both stare at our boss.
“Yeah, I think so too.”
Perry glances at me. “No need to look so smug, Julie. In case you haven’t realized. We’re just as screwed as he is.”
I sigh deeply.
He’s absolutely right.
* * *
I lost my job.And in quick succession, my house. And then my dignity.
“You’re being dramatic,” my best friend says as I groan loudly into her pillow.
I’m face down on the bed, but I can still picture the eye-roll that accompanied her words.
“No, I’m not,” I state, sitting up and pushing my hair out of my face. “It’s like I moved back in with my parents despite being a full-grown adult. This is not cool.”
“Julie, it’s fine. I absolutely do not mind.”
“Well, I mind. I’m being a burden to you and I hate that.”
Lisabell tilts her head, peering at me. “Do you think if I slapped you, it would reset your brain?” she questions seriously.
My mouth falls open. “Bitch!” I yell, throwing a pillow at her.
She catches it with a laugh. “This is absolutely not like moving back in with your parents! You’re moving in with me. Your best friend. You’re not a burden. I’m only helping you out. Until you can get your shit together.”
I groan again before flopping back onto the bed.
“Wouldn’t it be amazing if the world just ended today? I mean, everybody dies at the same time. Biblical last hoorah, Jesus coming to take us to Heaven. That kind of thing.”
