Chapter 10

Toby is just about to tell Bea that he finds her ridiculously sweetbut a waitress that smells like lilacs places a glass tumbler on the table in front of him. The tumbler has two ice cubes inside, and two fingers’ worth of Jack Daniels, which Toby guzzles.

The waitress leans over, brushes her ruby red lips against his left ear, and whispers, “The drink is from Grant Stevens. Enjoy.”

This interaction leaves Toby speechless. He doesn’t know what to say, nor does he know how to feel. He likes whiskey, though, and takes a sip, watching the waitress float away.

King asks, “What did she say to you?” Both he and Bea are all eyes, intrigued by what has just occurred.

Toby points to the drink and says, “It’s from Grant. He bought me one to enjoy. Wasn’t that forward of him?”

King’s mouth is slightly ajar, probably more surprised than Toby. Because he is somewhat blitzed, he says, “Well fuck me sideways. Aren’t you an important little fag?”