He made a noncommittal sound in theback of his throat but grabbed an apron anyway and tied it around his waist.“Give me a job.”
I grinned at him. “Don’t you justlove learning all these new life skills? Just think, without me, you wouldn’teven be able to make your boring steel cut oats.”
He washed his hands which Iinterpreted as his expression of eternal gratitude. “Why are you so happy?”
“Happy?” I tried to suppress asmile. “Me?”
“Yeah, you. You’re like you used tobe, all bubbly and shit. Why?”
“Bubbly and shit?”
He gave me a look. “Stop answeringall of my questions by repeating my questions.”
I covered my stupid grin with myhand and turned away from him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Vera,” he chided. “Is this someweird after sex mood or something? Because that’s gross. I shouldn’t have to besubjected to this.”
He started to take off his apron,even though he’d just put it on. “Stop!” I held up a hand, the smile finallybreaking free even though he was acting a fool. “Seriously, this has nothing todo with sex.” Mostly nothing to do with sex. “I’m just happy. Can’t I behappy?”
His expression softened. “You know Iwant you to be happy. It’s all I want for you.”
My smile stretched wider. “Thankyou.”
He pointed at me. “But somethingelse is going on. This isn’t just normal happy. This is psychotic happy. Areyou on drugs?”
Groaning, I finally gave into thetruth. “Ezra Baptiste asked me to audition for the head chef position at Biancayesterday.”
Vann blinked at me. “You’rekidding?”
“I’m not.”
“That’s incredible, Vera!Congratulations!”
“I’m still freaking out. I can’tbelieve it.”
“Believe it, Vere. You deserve it.”
I stared at my brother, wonderingwhat he would think of my next announcement. “There’s more.”
He laughed at the absurdity of therebeing more. “What?”
“Killian counter-offered. He wantsme to open a restaurant with him.”
“Holy shit!” Vann exclaimed.
“I know.”
“He was serious?”
My eyebrows drew together at mybrother’s doubt. “Yes, he was serious.”
“Right.” Vann nodded unconvincingly.“Of course he was.”
“Vann, he was.” I went on to explainour conversation last night and some of the sweeter things Killian had said andpromised. I left out the more intimate details of course.
Vann listened attentively, absorbingmy words with thoughtful consideration. I had been worried about sharingeverything with Vann, but now I realized how silly that was. My brother wasincredibly wise. I should have gone to him first when everything happened withDerrek. But I was so glad I came to him with this. I was a lucky little sisterto have a big brother so willing to listen, so invested in her life. He was myhero. Hands down.
“What are you going to do? I mean, arestaurant with Killian? Kind of risky, huh?”
