“Ah, she’s gonna be bummed out, but that’s okay. I will turn her frown upside down with one of your bomb-ass muffins.” Dex pantomimed shooting fingers guns at the ceiling before he noticed Zef. “Hey, Zef, looking dope today with that kickin’ blouse. Good morning air-high-five!”
He slapped the air with one paw, holding it high and waiting for Zef to reciprocate. With a sigh, they lifted a top hand, ignoring Willow and Glyma’s giggles, and pretended to high-five the air in the Lupyn’s direction.
Dex nodded approvingly. “Noice! Today’s gonna be a great day, am I right?” Without awaiting a response, he disappeared through the swinging doors. “Sorry, Brenda, no carabiners, but can I interest you in one of Glyma’s muffins? They’re bussin’, no cap.”
“See what you have done?” Zef said accusingly to Glyma.
“Oh, he’s sweet,” Glyma defended, “and the customers love him.”
“But at what cost?” they demanded as Willow burst into laughter. “What cost?”
The next day, Zef joined the rest of their coworkers at the Greed locationto celebrate the soft launch. The space was small, standing room only, with a tiny bakery case and an espresso machine behind the counter. Gem was truly in his element, taking orders and making drinks as he chatted amicably with customers.
At the busiest moments, Oliver took over the register so Gem could focus solely on the espresso machine. Since there was little space inside, Zef ordered a hot tea, congratulated Gem and Oliver—and Glyma, of course—on a successful launch, then took refuge outside in the cold March air.
They sipped their drink to stay warm as Tad perched on their shoulders, watching the customers filter in and out. “It is quite busy,” they commented, and they felt Tad’s nod wriggle through her body.
“Looks like it. I guess franchising was a good call.”
“I hate it here,” Toni grumbled, eyeing the people around them distrustfully. “Bunch of Greed dickholes. No offense, Liel.”
“For the millionth time, I’m from Gluttony, same as you. I just work here,” the Gymnot said, sipping his Americano.
Jude knocked Toni’s arm in reprimand. “They’re probably not all bad.”
“Yeah, that’s speciesist,” Dex said, before his bushy brows furrowed. “Or district-ist?”
“That’s a made-up word,” Cya snipped.
Dex rolled his heterochromatic eyes and propped his arm on Cya’s shoulder. “Technically, all words are made up.”
With a warning rattle from their tail, they shoved Dex off them. “You know what I meant.”
Zef took several photos and sent them to Bryce. With the time difference, they assumed he was still sleeping, but they still waited an extra second before locking their phone, just in case he replied. He did not.
“Did Bryce get to Montana, okay?” Jude asked.
“Yes, he arrived last night.”
“How long is he gone for?” Toni asked.
“Three weeks.”
Liel tugged his coat tighter around his body. “I bet it’s nice having some solitude.”
“I suppose,” Zef said noncommittally.
To be honest, they had slept poorly last night. The house had not sounded different, but it had felt different. The emptiness had pervaded every corner, filling the shadows with the stark reminder that Bryce was not there. They had been surprised by how much it bothered them, though they did not want to admit that aloud.
Like Toni could somehow sense it, he knocked their arm with his. “You wanna come over for dinner tonight?”
“We still have manicotti in the freezer. Please, come help us eat it,” Jude said, a slight plea to his voice.
“I do not want to intrude,” Zef started, but Toni was already shaking his head.
“It ain’t intruding if you’re invited.”
Touched by the offer, Zef agreed, and they spent the evening with Toni and Jude. The manicotti was delicious and even after Jude had disappeared into the bedroom, they remained in the living room with Toni, chatting and even learning to play one of the Elas’s video games.
