“To own my own place.” Finally, something we could connect on! Not that I would ever own my own restaurant. But EC was close enough, right?
“That’s exciting,” I told him, feeling genuinely happy for him.
“Yeah, I’m just so sick of these hours. They’re killing me.”
Okay, wait a second. “Are there bakeries that work different hours?” I thought all bakers were up before dawn to get ready for that morning crowd? What was he going to do, sell donuts for supper?
Not a totally bad idea… but still.
“Sure,” he said obviously. “I don’t even know if I want to have a full bakery, you know? I’ve been thinking about cakes. Cakes seem easier. I could work when I wanted to work and sleep in. Still go out on the weekends. I just can’t do this grind. It’s killing my social life.”
I nibbled my bottom lip, trying to decide what to say to that. In one sense, I got it. My job was killing my social life too. And these hours weren’t for everybody. But… this was the life we chose. Er, I chose. I walked in with eyes wide open. I knew what I was getting myself into. I wanted this life.
Because my work meant something to me. It gave me a purpose bigger than anything else in this world. It fulfilled me. It gave me this great, big reason to wake up in the morning and the energy to survive the long, grueling days. Yes, it was hard. But hard wasn’t a bad thing.
Although, I could admit it wasn’t for everybody.
Maybe I was crazy.
And maybe my friends were all crazy too.
Honestly, I could have let it go. I didn’t think Matt and I were going anywhere, but I wasn’t going to hate him for wanting a life outside of his job, even if it didn’t exactly endear me to him. But then he added, “Besides, I’ve gotten so many clients from this job right now. It would be so simple to start something on my own.”
“You’re going to poach your current clients? To start your new job?” The words just fell out of my mouth. And to be honest, they were not said in a kind voice. Honestly, my tone was pretty judgy.
And poor Matt felt the judgment hardcore.
His face took on an expression of total defensiveness. “Not like tomorrow. I’m talking the future. Like I said, I’m building my resume.”
Without any regard for his current employer. Ugh, this guy was a total douche.
“Seems like a shitty way to do it.”
“You’re right. But firing people the first week you take over is totally cool.”
“Are you serious?” God, this guy was a total asshole. The nervousness I’d felt earlier turned to ash and I felt sick to my stomach.
His jaw took on a stubborn quality and he shrugged his shoulders instead of verbally responding.
“I’m so glad to see you, Dillon.”
Vann’s presence looming over the table was a total surprise to both Matt and me. We turned to stare at him slowly, in unison. I’m sure I had a “what the hell” look written all over my face. And I couldn’t have even predicted what Matt looked like. This could not be happening right now.
“You are?” I heard myself say.
He gave me a look that said, “Play along!” but I didn’t know what I was playing along with.
“Uh, can we help you, man?” Matt demanded, not earning any points from me.
“Yeah, thanks,man.” Vann smiled, showing his teeth. He turned back to me. “I was going to call you today, so it’s nice I ran into you. Do you have a few minutes?” When I hesitated, he added, “I wanted to go over that thing we talked about the other day.”
“That thing?” I heard myself ask. God, Dillon, be cooler.
“Come on,” he ordered, not waiting for me to act more confused. He turned around and walked to a table on the other side of the restaurant.
I smiled apologetically at Matt and said, “I’ll be back in a few.”
“You’re kidding, right?” He threw his hands to his sides in frustration.
