“That’s kind, but we both know I’m not a catch.”
“Yes, you are.”
She lets me go. I turn around to face her.
“You’re my sister. You have to say these things.”
“True, but I don’t also have to think them. But I do think them. And I remember them.” She winks at me and I smile. “And you know I only remember things which are really important.”
“You’re important.”
“Not as important as you are to me.”
18Eric
One of the guys who usually works on the bar pokes his head into the kitchen.
“Someone’s looking for you.”
I point to myself, and he nods.
“Let me guess: a guy,” Miguel says from beside me.
I pull a face at him as I wash my hands.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Take all the time you need,” he comments suggestively.
I tell him where to stick it and head into the main room, where the last person I expected to see is waiting in my restaurant.
“You?”
Colm gets up from his stool, leaving a glass of wine on the bar.
“What… What the hell are you doing here?”
“Hello, Frederick.”
I ignore the irritation climbing from my stomach into my throat at the sound of my name on his lips, and try to appear cold and distant.
“What can I do for you?”
“I came to…” He looks around. “Well, to see how you’re doing.”
“Cut the crap.”
“Frederick, please…”
“Let’s go outside.”
“What’s that?”
“To speak. Let’s go outside. I don’t want my co-workers getting involved.”
“Whatever you’d prefer.”
I lead Colm outside, and he follows, the restaurant door swinging shut behind us. I take two nervous steps out onto the pavement, hoping to calm myself, but rage and hatred can take over.
