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Sanjay, Cora’s employee, is talking to the Suit, who seems agitated.

“Get me the manager right now,” the Suit bellows.

“What’s going on?” Cora emerges.

“Are you the manager?” he snaps, and Sanjay dashes away to wipe the empty tables.

“Yes.” Cora wipes her forehead with her forearm to tame her curls.

“Well, you’re not very good at your job.”

What the fuck? She asks him a question, but I don’t hear it. She seems composed, trying to defuse the situation, but she blinks rapidly and takes a small step back.

“I want my order to be ready when I come to pick it up,” the Suit yells.

“Could you please calm down? You ordered five minutes ago, and if you don’t want raw chicken in your salad, you need to wait another five.”

“I will get a ticket in the meantime. I’m double-parked.”

Cora wipes her hands on her apron and blinks some more. Fuck it. What a bully. I make my way to the counter.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I point my knitting needles at him.

He frowns at me, his face red like he’s on the brink of a heart attack. “Mind your own business.”

“Why don’t you go mind your business back in your car, so you don’t get a ticket.”

“Who the fuck are you?” He turns to Cora. “And you, stop gaping; go finish my stupid salad.”

Cora’s eyes widen, before she looks at the reading guy and the mother, heat rising to her cheeks.

“How dare you speak to her like that?” This time I poke him with the needle. “Get the fuck out of here.”

Now, his eyes widen. “Are you going to let her speak to me like that?” He looks at Cora. “What kind of establishment is this?”

What an asshole. How dare he speak to my friend like this, embarrassing her in front of other customers with his unreasonable demands?

I poke him with the knitting needle, the ball of yarn dropping to the floor. “Go get your salad somewhere else, and while you’re at it, try to look for your manners.”

He throws his arms in the air. “I’m going to give you zero stars.” He marches out, spitting profanities.

I sigh. “Are you okay?”

Cora nods, and then chuckles nervously. “What a prick. He was so ridiculous, I didn’t know what to say. How to respond to such absurd behavior. Shit. Thank you.”

I lean down to pick up my yarn. “Can I have his salad now?” I smirk.

“Sure, babe. I didn’t know you knit.”

“I’m full of surprises.” I snicker.

And of secrets, as of late.

“Saar, Saar, open your eyes.”

Cora’s voice penetrates my foggy mind. Fuck. It’s not just her voice; my body is shaking. I pry my eyes open.Sheis shaking my body.

“What are you doing? I was sleeping.” I roll onto my back and cover my face with my forearm, darkness pulling me back.