Page 35 of All We Need

“I’m not here to change anything.”Iattempt to keep my voice soft. “PerhapsIwent about it the wrong way, soIapologize.”

His arms fly out to the side. “That’sit?You’resorry?”

“You can’t be annoyed at my lack of involvement one minute and be madI’mhere the next.Picka lane,Booth.”Irritationblooms. “Whatmore do you want?”

“I want to know your plans.Wheredo you see us in three, five, ten years’ time?Whydid you buy us?What’syour experience?Whoare you?”Hepaces in front of me, each step adding to the tension in his muscles.

Who are you?

Great question.Theanswer?

I’m not so sure.

AndIdon’t needBoothSadlerknowing that.

As for his other questions,Itell him the truth, even thoughIknow it’s going to ruffle his feathers further.

“I don’t know what my plans are.”

“Well, isn’t that fucking perfect,” he murmurs, before stomping out, the cracking of wood echoing around the room when the door slams shut.

CHAPTER TWELVE

booth

After my run-in withAlessandra,again,Istorm to the front of the restaurant, eyes frantically scanning forPatrick.Ispot his mop of sandy hair bent over a table of customers, nodding and smiling at whatever they’re saying.

With my arms crossed, stance wide,Iwait for him by the server’s station.Hecatches my gaze, and from my body language, he knows we need to talk.Dubiously, he approaches me.

“Now, calm do?—”

My hand swipes through the air, silencing him. “Irefuse to work with her.Sheknows nothing.Caresabout no one but herself.Plus, she admitted to having no future plan for us.”

“You got all that in less than ten minutes?”Hegrabs a stack of menus and hands them to a passing server.Suddenly,I’mreminded of howSilverandIended up in there together.Hecurses whenIsucker punch him in the bicep. “Thefuck!Thereare customers.What’syour issue?”

I drag him to the back, where the ice machine and dishwasher are.

“Myissueis with you feeding me to the wolves.”

He looks guilty. “Whathappened?”

“She did,”Ispit.

“Booth…”Hisvoice is impatient.

Clenching and unclenching my fists,Itell him about the conversation.

“I don’t get it.”Patricksighs. “Earlier, she was fine with us.Shehighlighted some areas we were lacking, but we’re already on top of it.Ihate to break it to you, but she knows the industry.”

“She doesn’t belong here.”

Patrick sighs, soIreign back my anger.Thenmy pacifist big brother goes and surprises me. “You’reright.”

My eyes bulge.Quickly,Igrab my phone, slide up the camera icon, and clickRecord. “Canyou repeat that?”

He slaps my hand away. “Beserious for once.”

“Oh,Iam.Seriouslyfucking confused about what to do.Howare we supposed to operate during one of the busiest times of the year with her breathing down our necks?Tellme she hasn’t had it out for me since day one?”

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