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“I’m sorry?”
“You could’ve just as easily walked across the street on your break and buzzed his apartment,” said Eden.
“I didn’t get breaks this weekend. Three servers called in sick.”
“Then go tomorrow after scho—” Picking up her sandwich, Eden flinched. “Oh! It’s parent-teacher interviews.”
“And I’ve got hockey Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.”
“Ask him out. Take him with you,” said Eden.
Georgie drew in a breath and released it quickly. “He hates hockey.”
Eyes narrowing, Eden lowered her sandwich. “But he’s—”
“Swedish? That doesn’t mean he loves hockey!”
“But he enjoys history, right? Hook him that way. Share old hockey stories. Show him those black and white pictures at the Gardens.”
Easing back slowly in her seat, Georgie crossed her arms. “I dunno. If he’s feeling uneasy about what happened on the stairs, a hockey date won’t magically fix that. If anything, it’ll—”
Brian burst through the door again, his eyes wild. “Did you hear?”
Georgie huffed. “They want me to cover your class?”
“Yeah, but that’s not why I’m here.” He scrubbed his hand over his face. “Job cuts are coming. One of us is getting the axe!”
“They always say that.” Eden returned to her sandwich. “It’s how they keep us in line.”
“No, it’s real this time,” said Brian. “In the spring. Laporte told me.”
No surprise he only told you. Georgie started back blankly.
“Like you’re going anywhere,” Eden scoffed.
Brian pointed at his chest. “I’m the most recent hire. Everyone knows: last in, first out.” His gaze shot to Georgie. “So obviously, some of us need this promotion more than others.”
“Shame need and deserve aren’t the same thing,” she replied.
Dragging his hand through his floppy hair, Brian snorted. “Whatever. My head’s starting to throb. I’m outta here.” He stormed out, flinging the door closed behind him.
Eden sneered. “So he can fake a headache and get off scot-free, but you have a real migraine attack and Laporte loses his shit.”
“Well, like Brian said”—Georgie enfolded her lunch in its wax paper wrapping, her appetite gone—“some of us need this promotion more than others.” And all flirty weirdness aside, Georgie needed Oliver’s help to clinch it.
EIGHTEEN
That evening
Leafs record: 5 wins, 3 losses, 1 tie (in overtime)
BEEP! “Hey Ollie. I missed seeing you at the Golden Griddle this weekend. Hope everything’s okay.
“My week is shaping up to be ridiculous, but I’m free Thursday night to shop. Are you? Please say yes! Call me. ’Kay, bye!” BEEP!
* * *
The next day, Tuesday, October 27, 1992
