Page 2 of Sizzle

“Really, it’s no bother,” I say, gritting my teeth. I only have about forty thousand things to do, besides finding a way to save my business.

“You’re kind to say so,” says Mrs. Miller. “The reason I’m calling is—”

“Hang on just a sec, Mrs. Miller,” I say as two of my servers start banging on the office door. I point at the phone and glare until they walk off and I can hear the phone again. “Sorry about that. You were saying?”

“Yes, the reason I’m calling is that I wanted to let you know you’ll be getting the new lease agreement delivered sometime today.”

“Oh, is it time for that already?” Of course it was. Holiday season, every year. I’d lost track. “Mrs. Miller, you didn’t need to call me for that. I could just sign and drop it off sometime this week.”

“Well, that’s just it. There’s been a small change —just one tiny thing. I wanted to make sure you saw the new terms before you sign.”

I sit up straight.

“What changed?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. James. I know we hadn’t discussed this before now, but with property taxes being what they are now, I’m sure you understand.”

“What changed?”

“We’ve raised the rent,” she says apologetically and quotes a number I’ll never be able to meet. Not this month, not in three months.

“I see,” I say. Although, right this minute, all I see is that fucking cursor on the spreadsheet ticking at me like a time bomb.

“I’m afraid there’s more to it, Mr. James. I want you to know that I’ve done everything I can to delay this,” she says, and I stop breathing, knowing exactly what’s coming.

“We’re going to need to you catch up the rent payments you still owe us before we can re-sign your lease.”

It’s a long moment before I can speak again.

“Thank you for letting me know,” I say, and my voice doesn’t sound like mine anymore. “How long do I have?”

“We can give you until the end of the year,” she says softly.

Six weeks.

“All right, Mrs. Miller. Thank you for letting me know,” I say. I make a point of saying goodbye before I hang up, because it’d be counterproductive to smash the phone through the fucking desk.

Much as I want to seethe, to rage, we’re opening soon and there’s no time for it now. Too much work to do. So I tamp down my reaction. I can control it. I handle everything else.

I mean, it’s my job.

And despite today’s shitstorm, I love my work. I love the hustle, the chaos. Even the long hours. My best friend Alex thinks I’m nuts, but I’d go crazy if I had to sit in an office all day like he does, and I know it for a fact because I quit that exact life to open Duckbill.

My savings are long gone. My credit is shot. If I don’t find a way to keep this place running, it’s back to the salt mines. I mean, not an actual mine. It’s tech consulting, which paid damn well and came with health insurance and a retirement plan and never make me sweat like a Texas hog. But it’s boring as fuck. And answering to a boss was… not exactly my thing.

The word ‘insubordination’ may have come up. A time or four.

So if I want to keep my sanity, I’ve got to find a way to get some money coming in.

The shift passes fast today, and thank God for it. Another slow day would have sent me through the roof. Way too many of those lately, which is part of the problem. Today’s fast pace gives me a well-timed distraction before I have to focus on saving my job.

And the jobs of thirty-six other people, when you count the part-timers.

That’s what kills me. If I can’t make this work, what happens to them? That’s on me.

Alex thinks I take too much on myself, but what does he know? I mean, besides the fact that he’s been my best friend for most of our adult lives. The thought’s barely crossed my mind and I’m already pulling out my phone to shoot him a text. If he’s around later, maybe he’ll brainstorm with me. Alex’s always good for brainstorming, even with his funk lately.

I’ve just hit send on the text when my brother’s face pops up on the screen. I answer the call while heading out the back door, weaving my way past the cigarette smokers on break into the alley behind the building where they’re not likely to hear me.

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