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“What are you doing?” I ask, raising a brow.
“Just making sure it’s really you. I was beginning to think you don’t exist.”
I roll my eyes and shrug him off.
“What are you doing here, Troy?”
“I came to check on you. I haven’t seen or heard from you in weeks. Monica either. TJ misses you and Josie.”
“I’m sorry,” I say sheepishly. “Work has just been…stressful.”
He nods, looking around the new building, which is worlds different from our last one that Troy maybe came by once before.
“The new place is impressive.” His brows rise.
“Mhmm.”
“Are you going to invite me up?”
“Uhhh, no. It’s not ‘bring your brother to work day.’” I laugh.
“Okay, then how about lunch?”
I’ve already taken my break, even though my stomach was too unsettled to eat, but if agreeing to go to lunch gets Troy out of this building and away from the mess with Marco, then I’ll risk taking another.
“Sure,” I say, looping my arm in his and leading him toward the expansive front doors.
We walk down the block to one of our favorite burger joints, sidling up in a red leather booth and looking over the plastic menus as if we don’t already know what we’re getting. We used to come here all the time, pre-kids. Pre-marriage—for Troy. This was our spot to come vent about our father and all the unreal expectations he had for us over perfectly salted fries and greasy burgers.
“What can I get you?” asks the waitress, more to Troy than to me.
He seems to be unaware that her eyes are hyper-focused on him as he orders.
“We will have two smashburgers with bacon and the aioli sauce. Extra pickles. And two fries,” he says before handing her his menu, followed by mine.
“Oh, and two Cokes,” I add.
She doesn’t acknowledge me as she smiles at Troy. “That will be right out.”
I snort and she shoots me a look before walking away.
“What?” asks Troy, sitting back in the booth and looking at me curiously.
“I forgot how annoying it is to go places with you.”
“Hey! What’s that for?”
“Never mind,” I mutter.
A few minutes later, our food arrives in red baskets and gingham paper. I take a big bite of my burger and almost whimper over how good it is. I didn’t realize I was so hungry after skipping lunch.
“Whoa. Easy, girl,” says Troy, amused.
I give him a vulgar gesture before washing my bite down with Coke.
“So, how is Josie?” he asks, popping a fry in his mouth.
“She’s good. I actually started her at the daycare at my work.”