“Sorry. I’ve been busy.” And also, he had too much self-respect to wade through all the bullshit that happened in that group chat. Most of them were still in their twenties. David missed his six-pack, but he didn’t miss all the drama that went along with it. “So what’s the deal?”
Rhett grinned broadly, bringing the phone closer to his face and treating David to an oh-so-flattering up-the-nose view. “Guess who’s gonna be GM for Shyla Thorne’s new restaurant?”
David’s jaw dropped. “Seriously?”
“Seriously!”
“Fuck! Congrats, man. That’s amazing.”
Shyla Thorne was a trans woman who’d catapulted to fame after a surprise victory in last year’sTop Chef. David didn’t realize she was already opening a new restaurant.
“Yeah, Shyla’s amazing. She wants to hire an all-queer staff.”
In which case, she couldn’t have found a better GM than Rhett, a trans man who was probably the most competent assistant manager David had ever worked with.
“Which brings me to you.”
“Me?” David quirked an eyebrow. “What about me?”
“Well, we’ll need someone to lead our wine program, and rumor has it you’re gonna be a master somm in a few months. And by rumor, I mean your constant reminders that you’re too busy studying to join us for monthly game night.”
It was true: David had missed all but one of them since moving; his PlayStation was covered in so much dust, David could have written his name on it with a finger.
“I can neither confirm nor deny,” David said, but yeah, he was going to be one by the new year. As long as he passed. “Wait. Are you…”
David’s heart nearly launched itself out his mouth.
“Are you offering me a job?”
“Fuck yeah I am.” Rhett’s face turned serious. “Even if you don’t pass, I still want you on board, but if you pass I can get you a way better salary.”
David whistled. He’d been expecting offers to come in once he passed, but not before. And the chance to lead the wine program at a new restaurant—in LA, no less—well, that was the kind of opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
“Fuck yeah, man. I’m in.”
This was it. Things were finally happening. And he hadn’t even taken his test yet!
He’d have to tell his mom and dad. And Jeri, of course, so she could start thinking about replacements. And Farzan—
David felt a weird twinge at the thought of telling Farzan. But surely by January Farzan would be in good shape running his restaurant. And as for their situationship, well, David had made it clear from the start that there would be a time limit.
Plus he’d have access to dick aplenty in LA.
Though he’d miss Farzan’s smile, and his silky hair, and the way his eyes lit up when he was excited, and the smooth confidence he exuded in the kitchen, and why the fuck was he fixating on Farzan right now? In the middle of the most important phone call of his life?
“Okay, great,” Rhett said. “I’ve got some stuff to sort out on my endstill, and we don’t actually open until spring, but I’ll keep you posted, yeah?”
“Sounds great. Thanks, man. Really.”
“You can thank me by answering the damned group chat once in a while. Otherwise I might just show up on your doorstep one day to make sure you’re alive.”
“Okay, okay.” David yawned ostentatiously. He really did need to get some sleep.
“Oh my god, you faker,” Rhett said. “I’m hanging up. Bye.”
“Bye.”
David let his phone drop into the valley of his chest and stared at his feet, wiggling his toes. Holy fuck.
