Sniffling, I wipe at my face. “It’s all be-because Rome wants to talk to me after work.”
 
 “Huh?” She pulls away, looking me in the eye. “Why? Because you had a bad night?” Her voice has gotten higher and a little screechy. She looks around the main room of the restaurant. “Where is he? I’m gonna kick his sexy ass.”
 
 That makes me laugh. “No. Well, I don’t think so. He asked to meet me after work in a text message after the meeting today.”
 
 “This is about the favoritism issue?”
 
 I shrug because I don’t know.
 
 “You want me to wait for you?”
 
 I nod. “Yeah.”
 
 “You got it. I’ll sit out here. We’ll go home together like usual.”
 
 “Good.” I force a smile. A closed-mouth one. “Thanks, Jeri.”
 
 “No problem, honey bun.”