Thiswhole damn debacle waiting to happen, that’s what I wanted to avoid.
Iglanced at the ceiling and grappled for my patience. Clearly, this was Wyatt’s doing.Right? I mean, this was his idea to begin with. And I’d called in sick… Hethought he could force me to face him? While simultaneously doing the sweetestthing for my parents? He’d underestimated my expert ability to run and hide.
Exceptthat this was Lilou… and truly a fantastic opportunity for them. Not only wouldthey finally have that meal of a lifetime I’d been dangling in front of theirfaces since I started working there, but they’d also finally understand why Iloved my job so completely.
Butwhat was Wyatt after? What would he say in front of my parents? Nothing. Hewouldn’t bring up last night. That would be insane. He wasn’t a totally evilperson. Dear God, at least I hoped he wasn’t. I frowned at the bedpost, becauseafter a quick thought, I wouldn’t put it past him.
Shakingmy head, I tried to talk myself off the ledge. He wouldn’t bother us. Nottonight. I didn’t take Wyatt for the kind of guy that wanted to meet anyparents. Besides, the kitchen would keep him super busy while we ate. I alreadyknew Lilou was completely booked tonight.
Andthat begged an interesting question: how had Wyatt squeezed a table for threeinto the already crowded reservation list?
Refocusingon my parents, I realized Wyatt had already won. I wasn’t going to take thisopportunity away from them. They’d wanted to eat at Lilou for a long time—eversince I started working there. I had even tried to put their name on this listonce or twice, but that never worked out. Either they couldn’t make it to townwhen there was an opening or there hadn’t been an open spot when they’d been intown.
“We’llfinally know what the big deal is.” My mom smiled, her words sounded sugarydespite the backhanded compliment.
“You’regoing to love it,” I told her through gritted teeth. “The food will change yourlife.” I leaned over to read my dad’s wristwatch. “Did you say seven? We shouldleave in about forty-five minutes then.”
Mymom glanced over me again, her eyebrows furrowing over her straight nose. “Doesthat give you enough time to get ready?”
Weirdlyenough, I felt more at home than I had in a long time. My mother’s passiveaggressive barbs pertaining to my appearance so familiar to me, I feltnostalgic for my childhood. Tucking a pink curl behind my ear, I said, “I’mquick.”
Shewrinkled her nose at the reminder of my hair choices but moved out of the wayso I could hurry to my room.
Assoon as the door shut behind me, I started stripping, yanking off the comfyclothes I’d worn all day while I’d cleaned my entire apartment. Throwing myselfin the shower with a toothbrush in my hand, I got to work arming myself forLilou.
Itwasn’t a random dinner and extended weekend with my parents. It wasn’t just eatinga meal at one of the most prestigious restaurants in the city. It wasn’t one ofour usual visits either; I’d settle myself in, excited to eat takeout pizzawhile I was forced to listen to gossip from back home until my parents passedout from too much wine.
Mycuriosity was sparked by Wyatt making the next move in our long game. He’d laiddown another challenge and I had to do something that would match him. Hethought he could outmaneuver me? Also, it was concerning how he got my mother’scell phone number—I would ask him about that later.
Butthis was so much more than supper and showing off my place of employment to myparents. This was about putting Wyatt in his place, reminding him who he wasmessing with. I didn’t play to tie. I played to win. And Wyatt was going torealize just how much I savored victory.
Thirty-fiveminutes later, I emerged from my bedroom with springy pink curls pinnedartfully to my head and a little black dress that clung to my curves and showedoff my ample chest in a tasteful way—since he seemed so obsessed with it.
Myheels were sky high and reserved for revenge. Honestly, they were reserved for nightsI knew I wouldn’t do much standing. I finished my look for the evening withvibrant lipstick the same shade as my hair, and smoky eyes that felt way overthe top compared to my usual waterproof mascara and colored Chapstick.
Inibbled my lip ring as I led my parents downstairs to their Range Rover.Compared to my mother’s demure silk blouse and high-waisted black trousers, Icould have been mistaken for a hired escort, but my confidence refused to dampen.
Ilooked pretty tonight. Maybe even hot.
IfWyatt wanted to play with fire, I hoped he was prepared to get burned.
Itwas only a fifteen-minute drive to Lilou, even with the Friday night traffic.We pulled into the parking lot before I’d fully mentally prepared.
Thankfully,my parents paused for a few minutes inside the Rover to take in the outside ofLilou. She was spectacular beneath the dark night sky, allwhite brick and twining ivy. The landscape lights highlighted the best parts ofher, warming the building in their soft glow. She was surrounded by iron andtowering red brick on every side, making her standout as a beacon of cultureand class.
Mymom turned around in her seat and smiled at me. She genuinely meant it when shesaid, “It’s charming, Kaya.”
Smilingwith pride, I said, “One of the prettiest in the city, I think.”
Thisplaza was one of three main thoroughfares for nightlife, but in my opinion thebest of the three. Lilou was obviously the crowning jewel of the square, but wealso had two of the best nightclubs in town—Greenlight and Verve. There was Vera’sbrother’s bike shop, Cycle Life. Plus a few designer boutiques that brought ina lot of business.
Yes,our plaza was the best, but we were better when Vera’s old food truck had takenup residence in the middle. Foodie had offered a low key, urban vibe that wasmissing in her absence. And it had been super nice to grab a late-night mealafter work. Especially now that I was second in command and left work so late.There was nowhere good open at that hour except Taco Bell, and a girl couldonly take so much fast food, even if it was tacos.
Thiswas why Dillon and I were such breakfast connoisseurs. We were constantlysurrounded by five-star food, but rarely had access to it or the stomach to eatit after we’d been cooking every night.
Myparents got out of the car and I followed them. I probably should have led theway, but I rarely used the front door at Lilou and I couldn’t help but savorthe opportunity.
Unlikethe kitchen door that dumped you into stainless steel and abrasive busyness,the front French doors had a kind of magic that was rare and precious. Smallsquare panes of mottled glass outlined in black paint were like the amuse-bouche,teasing and endearing all at once.
