“Do you still want me to stay and cook for you?”
He looks over at me again. “If you want to.”
“Of course I want to.”
“Then yes. I’d like you to stay with us for a while.”
* * *
“IS THERESOMETHING you don’t like?” I ask Mila, who’s pushing the food around her plate with a fork without really eating much.
“Everything’s delicious. Thanks for cooking for us. I’m just a bit shaken, that’s all.”
Sean rests his hand on her arm affectionately.
“I’ve made such a mess.”
“Nothing that can’t be resolved,” her brother says.
“I’ve lost my job, too. It won’t be easy to find another one. Not with such awful references.”
I look over at Sean for an explanation.
“Mila works in Ethan’s restaurant.”
“Got it.”
“She’s good at her job, too,” Sean says. “She just has a problem concentrating sometimes. Especially when she’s not in therapy.”
Mila sighs. “My CV isn’t the most encouraging thing. I don’t really have any references and after last night, I doubt Ethan’s going to give me one.”
“I might be able to help you out,” I say suddenly.
Mila and Sean exchange a glance.
“They’re looking for waiters at the restaurant I work in.”
“Really?” she asks, hopefully.
“I can talk to the floor manager. I’m sure they’ll be able to find something for you.”
“You don’t have to…” Sean says.
“It’s no problem. I’m happy to help.” I get up and pull my phone from my pocket. “Let me call him now.” I step away from them, but Sean follows me.
“Is something wrong?” I ask, before dialling the number of the restaurant.
“Don’t feel like you have to do this for us.”
“Trust me, I don’t feel like I have to.”
Sean glances over his shoulder. Mila has got up to clear away our plates.
“I don’t know whether it’s a good idea.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think the time has come to put an end to this thing,” he says suddenly, quickly.
