Page 31 of All We Need

Graham hooks an arm around her shoulders, leading her out into the street withPatrickandJo.Theyall peer at me sympathetically through the frosted window.

Once we’re alone, me with my hands stuffed into the pockets of my jeans and her still standing stoically, the trepidation deep in my gut builds and builds.

After what feels like an eternity,Iblurt, “Whatdid the jury say?Areyou washing your hands of me?”

“Let’s sit.”Shewaves toward the abandoned table, and with gritted teeth,Ilower into a seat. “Yourmother andGeorgeput up quite the testimony on your behalf.Itwasn’t lost on me that they practically insinuated everyone would leave ifIdid indeed fire you.”

There’s no hiding my reaction.Myshoulders collapse with relief. “You’renot firing me?”

“Yet,” she warns.

I inhale deeply, holding it whileIwait for the ultimatum.

“Christmas is days away and it would be foolish of me to get rid of you now.Thisisn’t howIplanned my introduction toeveryone.Youmight not know or like me, butIam in charge,Booth.”Sheholds up a dainty finger.Inotice it isn’t tinged with paint like the first time we met. “Onechance.That’sit.”

My breath sticks in my throat.IfIlet it out now,I’llspew all the ireI’mholding in.

“You’re talented.Apparently, people enjoyed the additions to the menu, so they can stay.Iwon’t have you break the contract withQuinneither.”

I exhale loudly.Fuckmy job if it meansQuinnsuffered.

“Thank you,”Isay curtly.

“Don’t pull anything like that again.”Shepauses. “Yourloyalty to your friends and family hasn’t gone unnoticed, so at leastIrespect one thing about you.”

“Now that you’ve stamped your authority and made yourself known,Iguess you’ll be on your merry way?”

Shut up,Booth.

She narrows her eyes. “Aucontraire, pretty boy.”

I can count on one hand the number of times we’ve interacted, and despite my better judgment, there aren’t enough hands in this town to count the number of occasionsI’vewanted to see her smile.

The lift of her lips isn’t whatIimagined.

This isn’t a warm, happy, or amused smile.

It’s filled with promise.

“You’ll be seeing a lot more of me.”Sherises, steely gaze dancing with dangerous amusement. “Afterwhat you said yesterday,Iplan on making up for all the monthsIdidn’tshow my face.”

The promise in her smile is an oath to make my life a living hell.

Challenge accepted,Silver.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

alessandra

Like most teenagers,Iwent through a rebellious stage.

Much to my mom’s heartbreak,Icut my curls, pierced my nose, and tried my first cigarette.

After almost coughing up a lung, that first smoke was quickly my last, butIremember going against everything my parents wanted me to do.Joiningthem for dinner.Tidyingmy room.Blastingmy stereo at full volume.Stayingout past curfew.

Nothing that got me into major trouble, just enough to make a statement.

To this day,I’mnot sure what that statement was.

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