Page 22 of All We Need

“Booth!” a chorus of people holler.

My eyes dart up to find everyone staring at me.

“What?”Mycheeks heat.

I really need to get laid.

“Your mom asked you a question,”Johannaresponds.

I turn to the petite woman at the opposite end of the table and gift her the smile that’s been getting me out of trouble for years. “Yeah,Ma?”

The same color eyes as mine narrow at me, and the blonde-gray bob bounces as she shakes her head. “Isaid, what was the owner’s response to the menu change?”

Ah, shit.

“Oooh, you’re in trouble,”Dexwhispers next to me, earning him an elbow to the gut.

With a worried look atJohanna,Iflare my eyes slightly, as if to say,Whatdo we do?Mygaze moves toPatrick, who’s wearing a shit-eating grin.Florenceis no help, too distracted by her phone, andGrahamis too busy staring down at a cheerfulQuinntucked into his side.Thepossessive prick hasn’t taken his hands off her all night.

With a tug on the waistband of my metaphorical big boy pants,Itell her the truth.Orhalf.

“They haven’t shared their thoughts yet.”

“Interesting,” she murmurs. “Whendid you ask them?”

I swallow, noting how talk around the table has ceased. “Ask?Umm, it was more of a courtesy email.”Thatis yet to be drafted.

“Booth.”Mymom’s tone is serious.Noteven her favorite smile is going to save me.

Admitting defeat,Ithrow down the dishrag that’s been hanging from my shoulder. “Thenew dishes have a much better margin—askGraham.”

My brother glares at me from behind his glasses. “Donot drag me into your messes.”

“Booth,” she warns again.

“They don’t know,”Igrit out, sulking like a schoolboy being punished.

My response doesn’t surprise her.ClaireSadleris all-knowing, and very scary when you get on the wrong side of her.What’sworse, however, is that she doesn’t look mad or disappointed—which is arguably worse—she looks sympathetic.

I know turning down my ideas was hard for her, and right nowIfeel a fucking fool for going about it like this.

She glances down at the table, smiling softly. “Thesewere some of the best dishes you’ve ever created.Delicious.”Everyoneechoes her praises. “I’msure if you’d have told the owner, they would have considered.”

“Doubtful.”Ifold my arms across my chest, feeling very exposed and self-conscious suddenly. “I’llpull the new menu and we can stick to what we know.Thanksanyway,I’mglad you liked them. ”

“It’s a bit late for that now.”Istare at my mom in confusion.It’snot too late whatsoever. “You’vemade your bed now,Booth.Bestyou make yourself comfortable and lie in it.”

We all freeze, sharing awhat-the-fuck-is-she-on-aboutlook.

“Umm, okay?”Itread carefully, worried it’s another trap.Womenhave been ensnaring me all week.

She turns from the table, grabbing her coat from the rack by the front door. “Okay.It’sgetting late.I’mexcited to see what the customers think.Seeyou all tomorrow.”

“I know you’ll do the right thing.”Georgeclaps me on the back, making his exit too.

After a beat,Ishake myself out of my confused daze. “Whatthe fuck was that?”

Florence is the first to speak. “Idon’t know, but it was scary.Ifor sure thought she was going to hang you by the balls,Boothy.”

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