He Gave My Reservation To His Parents—Unaware The Restaurant Was My Brother’s

that smelled of starch and expensive cologne. He looked at me, searching for signs of sadness, but found only relief. His protective big-brother mode softened into genuine happiness.

“VIP room? I have the Chef’s Table open tonight. It’s yours.”

“No,” I smiled. “Just the bar. I want to be around people.”

I sat at the end of the bar, the polished obsidian continue reading …