“Are you okay after everything?” I ask her.
“You mean the yesterday party thing? Yeah, I think your boss was a little drunk.”
“You think mybosswas the one who was drunk?” I smile with a bit of playful sarcasm.
“Why did you say it like that?” Gabrielle laughs, sharing out the crepes she made along with the fluffiest scrambled eggs and little pieces of ham cut into stars.
“Because… I mean do you even remember what you said?”
“Yes, I remember what I said. I wasn’t drunk.”
“You basically picked a fight with my boss. Like, I understand you hate me, but were youtryingto get me fired? If I get fired you don’t have a job here.”
“I swear to God I wasn’t trying to get you fired, but that asshole used to work you guys into the ground, like you were the robots you were working on, and I’m sorry, I don’t respect him. He acts like he’s the one who did everything when a lot of the work comes from the employees,” Gabby says, totally serious as she sits at the other end of the table, ready to eat with me.
“Yeah, but baby, if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have that job. He might be an asshole but he helped provide the job, since he’s one of the founders.”
“I thought he bought out the others,” Gabby adds.
“Regardless, you’re lucky he was in a good mood last night,” I say, sipping the hot chocolate she made.
God damn it, everything she made is so damn good. I didn’t realize how much I was missing. The only person who even comes close to this with cooking is my mom.
She sips her orange juice and takes a bite of food, closing her eyes and relishing her handiwork, as she should, because this could rival any pancake restaurant.
“I’m just saying sometimes men like that need to be put in their place. He wouldn’t have fired you. You’re way too important for him. And if he says shit about you or anything to your face just let me know and I’ll come back.”
“Well he meant it about hiring you apparently. Tobias doesn’t say things he doesn’t mean. But it’s good that you won’t have to deal with him.”
“What do you mean?”
Staring at her is all I can do. “What do you mean what do I mean?”
“What, you guys don’t see him at all when you work there?”
“No, I mean you’re not going to be working there so it doesn’t matter.”
There’s silence.
Oh no.
“You’re not taking the job, are you?” My voice comes out a bit stiffer than I intend.
“Is there a problem with me taking the job?” Gabby challenges.
I put down my utensils. “You want to work at Helion??”
“Why not? The CEO himself said I had a job, and it pays great money. Probably way more than you’re paying me.”
“I mean… wait, hold on.” I let out a nervous laugh. “Are you being serious?”
“Yes,” she laughs out her answer, as if she’s shocked that I’m stunned. “Oh my God, why is this so weird for you? Only Sarah gets to work there?”
“No. I just mean it’s not… I don’t… wait, why do you want to take that job?”
“Oh my God, Lincoln, why not!? Why is it such an issue. Oh my God, it’s just like the fucking party.” Gabby starts to get mad and gets up, rolling her eyes and throwing down her napkin.
“No, please wait! Baby—”
