Page 27 of Tall, Dark, & Ginger

“You don’t look so good, man.”

He jerks his head up. “I’m okay. Just a little tired.”

I set the clipboard down. “You’re barely standing up.”

“Baby didn’t sleep last night, but my in-laws are staying over tonight to help out.”

I nod, chewing my bottom lip for a second. “Did you drive in tonight?”

He nods.

“Okay, let me call you a ride. I don’t want you driving back to New Onyx in your condition.” He starts to object but I hold up a finger to stop him. “No arguing.”

His shoulders slump and he nods, dragging his hand through his thick black hair. “Okay. Thanks, Chef.”

“You busted your ass today without calling for backup. It’s the least I can do.”

I open the app on my phone and order the car, then we turn off the lights and head out front. Ridley, Bane, and Jerryn are talking with Florian while he stacks clean glasses. Ridley’s eyes automatically go to me, but only briefly as he notices the condition Carlos is in. He hurries over.

“Everything okay?”

Carlos nods. “Just a little overtired. I’m okay, boss.”

“I ordered him a car. Just waiting for it to get here.”

“Good. If you need a day, take it. We can figure it out.” Then Ridley looks at me. “Sorry. It’s your kitchen.”

“No, it’s okay. You’re right.”

I see the concern in Carlos’s eyes. “It’s so busy though.”

“Which won’t be helped by you passing out.” I smile, squeezing his shoulder. “Take care of yourself and your family. We’ll figure shit out.”

Relief washes over his features. “Thanks, Chef.”

“Of course.”

The car pulls up a few minutes later, and we watch Carlos slip inside, waving as it pulls away from the curb.

“He looked rough,” Ridley says.

“I think he was barely holding himself up. He said his in-laws are staying over tonight so he can sleep. The baby, you know.”

“Must be rough.”

I glance up and down the quiet sidewalk. We’re the place open latest in town and once we close, it’s pretty desolate. Salemand Indy already locked the front doors and are several blocks ahead of us, along with the other guys.

We turn in the direction of the house and start walking, while questions about the handsome man beside me swirl through my head.

“Did you ever want them?”

“Want what?”

“Kids?”

Ridley practically chokes. “Dude. No.” He laughs. “Can you imagine?”

I shrug, also chuckling. “You never know.”

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