“Or something.” Ulysses released my hand and started typing again. “So she’s a friendly sort?”
“Yes. Which will stand her in good stead in a restaurant, right? Hopefully get more tips? A shame about her biology degree.”
“Not many jobs around these days in any field.”
Slowly, I nodded. “Like, there’ll always be fires. I’m never going to be declared redundant.”
He stopped typing long enough to scratch his stubbled jaw. “And as good as AI is, they’re not yet able to watch a city hall meeting and write an article. Or interview people. Although—” Another scratch.
I so wanted to be the one doing the scratching. All that prickly stubble under my fingers… “Although?”
“Well, I suppose I could feed the interview into the AI and ask it to summarize and write an article.”
“Would you ever do that?”
“Hell fucking no.”
“Right. So there are still things AI won’t be—“ I cut myself off. “Seriously?” I gestured to where he continued to type. “Worst date ever.”
“I have to go to the bathroom. When I come back, I’ll tell you about the worst date ever.” He rose, leaned over to peck my cheek, then sauntered off to the bathroom—phone in hand.
I watched him go. As if he knew, he jiggled his butt.
“One root beer and one cola.” Debra offered me a warm smile and her brown eyes shone. “Your date seems interesting. He new in town? I don’t think I’ve seen him before.”
I was on the verge of telling her that he was the new editor of the Gazette.But he said two reporters here would be conspicuous. Which means…
In fact, I had no idea what that meant. Still, I offered her a smile. “Yes, new in town.”
“And he’s…like you…” Here, her smile diminished just a little.
“Queer? Yeah.” Might as well just lay it on the line.
“I meant a firefighter. He seems a little old.” She bit her lip.
Nope, that wasn’t what she meant.I’d never thought her homophobic. I couldn’t tell, even now, if she was or not. “Don’t let him hear you say that.” I winked.
“Right.” Her full smile returned. “Food up soon.”
“Great. Thanks.” After she headed back to the kitchen, I took a sip of my drink.Had I made an assumption? Was she trying to tell me something?Tully’s never seemed unpleasantly redneck—but then I’d never come here on a date.
Ulysses sauntered back. He grinned as he dropped into his chair. “I’m thirsty.”
“Okay.” I took another sip of my drink. Something was up…I just couldn’t put my finger on it.
“This is actually a fairly big property.” Ulysses glanced around.
“You mean the restaurant? I suppose.”
He shook his head. “No, I meant the actual lot. About an acre. That seems like a lot for a restaurant and a parking lot. Are there any outbuildings?”
I scratched my elbow. “I have no idea. I’ve only been here a handful of times—and usually after a day shift. When it’s dark. Like it is now.” The sun had set, and the bright lights of the parking lot illuminated the gravel.
“Ah, got it.”
What does hegot?I was so confused.
“Chicken wings. Hot in both taste and temperature.” Debra grinned. “Nachos will be up in a few minutes.”
