With Us (The Amato Series Book 1)

by Layla Frost

  My stomach rumbled as I thought of the delicious garlic smell that often emanated from there when I walked by. “I’ve never been there, but it always smells amazing.”

  “Tastes it, too. Have you had baba ganoush?”

  “Only the prepackaged stuff we sell here.”

  “That’s a no then.” He almost looked offended. “Baba’s serves Levantine food. Middle Eastern. Tabbouleh, falafel, hummus, shawarma, pita. That kind of thing. My baba ganoush is the best. It’s rich, but not too heavy, balanced with garlic and lemon. The roasted eggplant is what gives it the real flavor. Everything else just enhances it.” He held up a small, pale purple eggplant. “My produce delivery came loaded with these. Bland. Unusable.” Then he picked up a large one. “Bitter and filled with seeds. Without baba ganoush, customers will leave.” He smiled at me, holding up a better looking one. “Now they won’t.”

  The man, who introduced himself as Dimos, and I spent another half hour sorting through the eggplant as he told me more about the restaurant and their dishes. My stomach grumbles grew into growls.

  Maybe Theo and I will go soon.

  With much more than a hundred eggplants, we loaded his full boxes onto another cart. I pulled out my small walkie-talkie. “Jerry, I need you at the furthest register in the front.”

  “On my way,” it crackled a moment later.

  Jerry’s eyes grew huge when he saw me wheeling the cart to the front.

  “This is the store manager,” I explained, parking the cart in front of the aisle. “He’ll get you all checked out.”

  “Thank you for all your help,” Dimos said, pulling a business card from his wallet. “Come in and eat soon. Give them this, and I’ll cook you a feast. One that will include fresh baba.”

  “Did you find everything okay?” Jerry asked Dimos.

  “Thanks to Dahlia, I did.”

  Jerry grinned at me. “She’s a good one.”

  With my part finished, I returned to my department. Working side-by-side with everyone, we were able to get everything restocked from the lunchtime shoppers before the after-work crowd would inevitably descend in last-minute chaos.

  “Can I help you with that?” I asked a tiny elderly woman as she struggled to reach some of the gourmet mushrooms that were kept up high. She’d probably been around my height at one point, but had shrunk with age.

  I glanced to the side to see Bill lurking around, his face in his phone. I knew he’d seen the woman practically scaling the cooler to get to them, but he hadn’t offered any assistance.

  “Thank you,” she said, stepping back so I could move the step ladder in place.

  Grabbing a plastic baggie, I looked down at the woman. “Which of these were you needing, and how much?”

  Her hand shook as she reached out to point to the most expensive ones. “Four… No, wait, let’s make it eight of those, please.”

  “Ma’am,” I started, hesitating as I tried to think of the proper way to word it. “Do you have plans with these? They aren’t like regular button or portabella mushrooms. That’s why they’re so over the top expensive.”

  “Oh, I know. I did my research.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a cell, swiping her finger across. When she turned it, I could see a webpage describing different fungi. She turned the screen back to her, and I couldn’t hold in my laugh.

  ‘Classy Bitch!’

  This little old lady’s phone case proudly displayed the phrase in hot pink rhinestone.

  She pressed a button and then flipped the phone again so I could see her background image proudly proclaiming ‘I’m hotter than my flashes’, and gave me a cheeky grin. “At my age, you’ve gotta keep a good sense of humor.” She took the bag of expensive mushrooms. “Every month, three of my girlfriends and I get together for a Chopped style cook-off. You know, the Food Network show?”

  I nodded, having watched all the episodes on Netflix, multiple times.

  “Oh, that Aarón and Scott… They definitely know how to keep a kitchen hot.” She fanned herself before winking at me. “We always try to bring the best ingredient. I found out that Betty,” she mocked with a roll of her eyes, “used her connections to get kangaroo meat. I didn’t even know that was a thing, but it is, and it’s a delicacy. I don’t want to eat a cute kangaroo, but I’m also not going to lose to her. Again. I can’t get anything weirder than that, but I can get something fancier.”

  An image of cartoon Kanga and Roo flashed in my head. “People eat kangaroo?”

  “It seems so.” She held up the bag, taking great care. “I have it on good authority that two of the three judges this month, also friends in the complex where we live, are mushroom lovers. And one of them is a big animal activist. She donates money all the time to the zoo and humane society.” She lowered her voice and leaned in. “I may have snooped through some mail. Shh.”

  I moved my thumb and index finger across my mouth as if I were zipping it closed.

  She put the bag into the cart and gave my arm a squeeze. “This is my month. I know it.”

  “I hope I’m working next time you’re in,” I said, honestly meaning it. “I can’t wait for an update.”

  “I’ll look for you. Thanks for all your help, dear.” Humming a song, she slowly made her way to the cash registers, an extra bounce in her step.

  I feel bad for Betty.

  She’s going down.

  I peeked at the clock and saw there was only a few more hours in my shift. My mind went to Theo and everything I hoped we’d be doing. I was tired, but not the bone deep exhaustion that’d been putting me to sleep as soon as my head hit the bed.

  Maybe we’ll even get to go out to dinner.

  Oh, or watch a movie!

  Or not watch it…

  “Dahlia, can I see you for a second?” Bill practically sneered.

  Holding in my sigh, I walked over to where he stood near one of the produce coolers.

  “Do you see a problem?” he called out loudly before I reached him, drawing attention to us in the crowded department. If there was an issue, he could’ve waited the extra thirty seconds for me to get over there.

  That, however, wouldn’t have allowed him to try and humiliate me.

  I scanned the stocked and organized shelves behind him. “No…”

  “I’ll give you a hint. The eggplant.”

  After Dimos had dug through and taken so many, it’d been the first thing I’d restocked. It still looked full and set.

  “No, of course you wouldn’t see. You’re so busy watching the clock, you’re fine to let your department look like garbage.”

  More people slowed as they shopped, wanting to see what the big deal was. The department employees I oversaw began to bristle.

  I knew they all liked me, they’d been open enough about it. They wouldn’t be disrespectful of me, but that didn’t change the fact Bill was constantly undermining the authority I was supposed to have.

  I forced my voice to stay neutral as I said, “I’m sorry, I’m still not seeing what the problem is.”

  Jerk Bill’s face started to turn red, his lips curling into a smile he tried to mask.

  He’s enjoying this.

  Pointing at the display, he shook his finger. “It’s a mess. After helping,” he emphasized, the raise of his brows implying more, “that man you spent your time chatting with, it looks like you just threw the eggplant in, not wanting to do your job. It’s like the artichokes all over again.” On a roll, the vein on his bald head throbbed. “I didn’t think it was that difficult of a concept to grasp. Eggplants should be sorted with the smallest at the front, going back to the bigger ones. It’s basic organization, not rocket science. If you can’t understand something so simple—”

  “Excuse me, Mr. Mayer,” I interrupted.

  I could handle him being a jerk. I was even fine with him being a hardass since I wasn’t afraid of work.

  But I would never, ever tolerate being embarrassed and made to feel stupid. Especially when I’
d done nothing wrong.

  And so I lost it.

  My cool.

  My control.

  My mind.

  Smiling sweetly, I spoke loud and clear. “I’m sorry you’re upset by the size of the eggplants. Is it jealousy? Maybe your dick wouldn’t be so small if three quarters of it hadn’t gone to your personality.”

  Speechless. The entire area fell into a somehow deafening silence. Jerk Bill’s mouth opened and closed like a fish, his face growing even redder and the vein in his head looking close to bursting.

  “Dahlia, that eggplant sale was incredible,” I heard Jerry say behind me, his words breaking the silence and starting a rush of whispered conversation. “The gentleman said he’d be in more often, and gave me a list of…” His words trailed off as he looked around. “What’s going on?”

  I turned and took off my apron. “I quit.”

  Bill snapped out of his stunned silence. “You don’t get to speak to me—”

  “You had no reason to talk to her like that,” someone else said.

  “Excuse me, sir,” a random customer started saying to Jerry, pointing toward Bill. “He was creating a scene, and…”

  Chaos erupted as Bill started huffing his argument, some shoppers and employees adding their input. Turning away from the problem that was no longer mine, I walked to the back and grabbed my stuff out of the locker. Not wanting to deal with the T or flagging down a cab, I opened the Uber app. I was relieved to see it would be there within minutes. Ducking out the door stockroom employees left wedged open for smoke breaks, I stepped outside and took a breath.

  A deep one.

  Filling my lungs, it felt like it was the first time in a while I’d been able to take a full breath.

  My Uber was already at the curb by the time I made it through the parking lot. I got in, ignoring the voices calling my name.

  “Where to, Miss?” the man asked, offering me a bottle of water.

  “Amaric. It’s—”

  “No problem, I know where it is.” He turned and began driving.

  My legs bounced, my smile growing as I watched the blocks pass.

  “There are some bags of chips, chocolate chip cookies, and gum back there,” the man said, pointing behind the seat. “I have soda up here in a cooler, if you’d prefer.”

  I looked around at his impressive offerings. Even if I wanted to, I doubted my excited stomach would’ve been able to handle anything. “I’m all set, thank you though. You must be popular with the late-night crowd.”

  “Oh yeah,” he said with a nod. “I do my best business then. But my little girl has a ballet recital tonight, so you’re my last fare and then I’m taking the whole night off.”

  “That sounds like a good night,” I said.

  “Any big plans for you?”

  “Dinner, I hope.”

  “Ah, young love. Most people I drive have their heads in their phone. Well, most are drunk, and I spend the drive hoping I won’t have to add a cleaning fee. But even some of the drunk ones have their heads in their phone. They’re missing the world passing them by. You’re watching, grinning bigger and bigger the closer we get. You’ve got your eyes open, seeing the world.”

  Open your eyes.

  Just as vivid as the night I’d had it, the dream popped into my head. Only instead of feeling fear and regret, I felt confident. Happy.

  And telling Jerk Bill where he could stick those eggplants went right along with it.

  As we neared Amaric, I took out my phone and quickly typed out a glowing five-star review before getting out of the car. “Have fun tonight!”

  “You, too!” he called out the window as he pulled away.

  Dodging people on the sidewalk, I ignored all the messages from people at Weggies. But I opened one from Wendy, the owner of Java Brew.

  Wendy: Painters found issues, will be closed until at least Monday. Can you come in Sunday afternoon and help me prepare for opening?

  Me: Of course, just let me know what time.

  Wendy: I’ll text if another delay.

  Putting my phone in my bag, I entered the lobby and started toward the security line.

  “Miss Kincaid,” the iPad wielding man called out, waving me over. “Go right through, your elevator card is at the front desk. Ms. Suze at the end of the counter will give it to you.”

  “Thanks,” I said, slightly overwhelmed. The lobby was much busier this time, and I felt like I was back in elementary school, in danger of getting in trouble for cutting lines.

  Just as he said, however, a professionally dressed woman was waiting for me by the time I reached the desk. “Here you are, Miss Kincaid.” She gestured behind me. “Go to those elevators and enter this passcode to call the elevator. Mr. Amato’s office is on the twenty-fifth floor.” She handed me another card with my name on it. “Here’s a security ID. Have a nice visit.”

  “Thanks so much,” I said, turning away before rotating back. “Can you please not tell Theo, I mean, Mr. Amato I’m here? I want to surprise him.”

  “He may already know,” she tilted her head toward all the security, “but I won’t say anything, just in case.”

  “Thanks.” My steps were bouncy and excited as I got into the elevator.

  Almost a whole week off. I can’t even remember the last time I had that much time off.

  I can sleep and read uninterrupted. Plus, I’ll be able to spend some more time with Theo.

  I have to start looking for another job. And I’m probably not getting paid this week if the café is closed, so I should stick around the apartment. I should also stock up on ramen. No big deal.

  Pushing those thoughts aside as the elevator opened, I stepped out into another beautiful waiting room. This one was more masculine and smelled like Theo.

  The pretty brunette behind the desk looked up in surprise, but smiled warmly. “Hi Miss Kincaid, Theo didn’t tell me you’d be coming in today.”

  It took me a moment to remember her name from my previous disaster of a visit. “Hey Rosa. And, please, call me Dahlia.” I glanced at the office door quickly. “He actually doesn’t know. Is he available? I can sit and wait if he’s busy, I probably should’ve called ahead.”

  “No, no,” she said, standing up.

  Based on last time, she’s probably afraid I’m going to make a run for it and is preparing to tackle me down if I try.

  She pointed to a door. “He’s on the phone, but go on in.” When I hesitated, she lifted her hand to make the ‘talking’ gesture. “He’s on the phone with a chatty client. He’ll be even more thrilled to see you than usual.”

  “Thanks.” Slowly, I opened the heavy wooden door, peeking my head in.

  Theo looked up from his desk, his questioning expression changing to a dimpled grin. The sleeves of his black dress shirt were rolled, his hair a bit messy. “Steve, I’m going to need to call you back.” Without giving the person any time to respond, he hung up.

  “That was rude.”

  “He’s been talking for ten minutes straight without taking a breath. I’m sure it’s not the first time someone has hung up on him.” He shrugged. “Come in. Everything okay?”

  Nudging the door closed behind me, I smiled at Theo. “I quit!”

  Theo

  Staring at Dahlia, I pushed away from my desk. “Run that by me again.”

  “I quit. At Weggies. There was eggplant. Wait, let me go back.” Dahlia started talking a mile a minute, little of it making sense. “Have you ever had baba ganoush? Okay, that’s not important right now, but we’re going to dinner there sometime. Jerk Bill was being a jerk, and he said… Hold on, there was an old lady cooking with expensive mushrooms, and—”

  “You’ve lost me.”

  “Sorry, it was a crazy afternoon. Basically, Bill was being a jerk, I had enough, so I quit.”

  Working hard, I hid how fucking thrilled I was. The only reason I hadn’t had Luc digging into the asshole’s secrets was I’d hoped he’d help Dahlia reach the decision to
quit. Now that she had, I was free to find a way to make his life as miserable as he’d made hers.

  “Just like that?” I asked.

  She nodded. “I was rash and immature and completely unprofessional. But he was such an asshole. I couldn’t take it anymore. I said he had a small dick, which I think probably blows my chances of getting a good reference.”

  My jaw clenched, my tone low as I asked, “His dick?”

  “I’ve never seen it or anything.” She grimaced and did a full body shudder. “I’m just guessing. Why else would he be so obsessed with eggplant?”

  Brow raised, I repeated. “You’ve lost me.”

  She waved away the comment, shaking her head. “It doesn’t matter. All that matters is I’m done.” She started pacing in front of the door. “I’ll have to start looking for something else right away, especially with Java Brew closed for a week. Losing them as a reference will probably hurt, but I’ll figure it out. What’s important is, I did the right thing. It was definitely for the best. I think. Right?” Her coloring grew paler than normal, her eyes going wide. “What did I do? How could I be so stupid and impulsive?”

  “Gattina, come here,” I ordered softly. When she was within reach, I took her hand and pulled her onto my lap. “You did the right thing. And I’m not just saying that because I’m selfish and want more time with you, but that part is true, too. You deserve a break.”

  “I don’t think my landlord or utilities will accept that as an excuse of why I can’t pay my bills.” She shifted to stand. “I’m just going to go back to talk to Jerry. He likes me, I just made them a bunch in eggplant and fancy mushroom sales. I’ll try and explain everything.”

  I held her in place. “You can’t go back to working eighteen hours a day, especially with that asshole. You’re exhausted. Take some time off. Relax.”

  “But what about my bills—”

  “I’ll help.” When she opened her mouth to argue, I continued. “Dahlia, this isn’t the ‘pastry prostitute’ thing. This is what happens in a relationship.”

  Tucking her hair behind her ear, she chewed her bottom lip.

  Not wanting to push her anymore, I said, “Just take some time, decide what you want to do. Don’t run back to Weggies because you’re panicking.”