Page 46 of Bone’s Choice

She smiled.

I chewed.

This dinner was going to be a fucking problem.

“So,” Ma said, “Hazel got a job.”

I looked at Hazel.

She immediately groaned. “Pink.”

“What?”

“You couldn’t wait?”

“I’m proud. Some people these days don’t want to work, and you managed to get a job barely a week after you got here.”

“Where?” I asked even though I already knew the answer.

Hazel looked at me. “Bing’s.”

“You took it?”

Her eyes narrowed. “I wasn’t aware I needed your approval.”

“I didn’t say you did.”

“You said it like you did.”

“I asked a question.”

“With a tone.”

“What tone?”

“That one.”

I looked at Ma. “Does she always do this?”

Ma shrugged and took a sip of her wine. “I’ve known her a week.”

“Yes,” Hazel answered for her.

Ma nodded. “Yes.”

I shook my head and went back to my food. “When do you start?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Serving?”

“Mostly. Bartending if they need me.”

I nodded. “CL hire you?”

“You know CL?”

“I know everybody at Bing’s.”