Something pink falls on my head. Music blares. Confetti rains down like the World Series ticker-tape parade.
The elderly couple next to us is beaming, a giant cake in front of them.
Ruby is on her feet instantly. When she returns she’s breathless. “They were childhood sweethearts who reunited a few weeks ago. They’re getting married on Valentine’s Day!”
I eye them. “Wonderful,” I say, dryly. “Ask if they need flowers for the big day.”
Ruby deflates, sitting slowly.
“So,” I say, “Oopsie Daisies. That’s why I’m here.”
She watches the couple kiss. “Sixty years apart. Still in love.”
“All that and unicorns will buy you a?—”
Ruby turns back to me. “You don’t believe in lasting love?”
“Not something I’d gamble on.”
“Well, I did. And Clara did.”
“Clara lived in a dreamworld. And tell me, Ruby… how did that work out for you?”
The moment it leaves my mouth I regret it. Her face falls. She looks away.
“Clara followed her heart with everything,” she says quietly. “Love, business, where to live.”
“Logic rarely played a role. Hence my arrival.”
She gestures to the prospectus. “Can we get back to business?”
Score.
We review the numbers. They’re worse than she realized.
“I’ll stay the month,” I say, seeing the devastation in her eyes. “Try to get Oopsie Daisies back on its feet. If we can’t, it will be liquidated.”
Her face collapses. Minutes ago she was glowing. Now she looks hollow.
“That means we work together,” I add. “For thirty days.”
She forces a smile. “Thirty days. How hard can it be?”
With the main topic out of the way, I reach for my burger, take a bite?—
And my throat tingles. My skin heats. Sweat beads on my forehead.
Ruby leans forward. “Griffin?”
I croak, “What was in the burger?”
She’s already on her feet. Suzy rushes over.
“Was… there… cilantro?” I manage.
Suzy pales. “The chef adds it for special flavor.”
I push away from the table and stagger to the exit.
