Chapter 6 - I Need a New Bodega

I have been through many trials in my life. Long workdays. Awkward client meetings. The unholy experience of New York summer subway rides.

But nothing—nothing—could have prepared me for Devin.

The night had already started off shaky. Luis wasn't at the register, meaning I was once again at the mercy of whoever the bodega decided to throw at me. And then, just when I thought I could grab my tea and escape, I heard the world's most obnoxious voice.

"Bro, what are the odds?"

Oh, no.

I turned my head—and there he was.

Some guy I'd never seen before, standing in the chip aisle like he just discovered the meaning of life. Grinning. Looking directly at Pierre.

This could not be good.

"Ohhh," the guy said, dragging it out. "So this is why you're always so eager to clock out."

I frowned. Excuse me?

Pierre, for once in his life, looked deeply uncomfortable.

The new guy—Devin, apparently—kept going. "Dude, you never wanna grab a beer after work, but you'll rush outta there like your life depends on it. And now I see why."

He nudged Pierre's shoulder. Like this was some inside joke I was supposed to be part of.

I turned to Pierre, crossing my arms. "Would you like to explain?"

Pierre looked like he wanted to be anywhere else. "I—uh—this is Devin. Devin, this is—"

"Oh, I know," Devin interrupted, way too enthusiastic. "You talk about her all the time."

Excuse me?

I blinked. Processing. Considering my legal options.

Pierre coughed into his fist. "I feel like we're all taking things out of context."

"Oh no, let's add more context," I said sweetly. Which was a warning.

Devin, who clearly had no survival instincts, leaned against the counter. "Don't let him downplay it. He calls you 'his nightly routine.'"

The world tilted.

No. Actually, it zoomed out.

I could hear the sound of my own breathing. My vision tunneled. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed, stretching into infinity as my soul detached from my body.

His nightly routine?

Somewhere, in the vast cosmic expanse of the universe, a star exploded. Planets continued their endless orbit. Civilizations rose and fell. And yet, here I was, in a bodega at midnight, learning that Pierre apparently referred to me like I was part of his self-care checklist.

Meanwhile, back in the mortal realm, Devin was grinning like an idiot.

Pierre clapped his hands together. "Devin, buddy, let's focus on your life instead of ruining mine."

"Oh, but this is so much more fun," I said, smiling like I wasn't actively contemplating homicide.

Pierre grabbed his iced coffee and started backing away. "Well, this has been fun—"

"Oh, we're not done," I called after him. Smiling.

Devin laughed. "Yeah, man, you can't just leave your girl like that."

The air froze.

Pierre and I both stiffened.

Devin blinked. "Oh, wait, are you guys—?"

"No," Pierre and I said at the exact same time. Too fast. Too aggressive.

Devin looked between us. Squinted. Then smirked. "Yeah, okay. Sure."

I exhaled, pinching the bridge of my nose. I had aged at least five years in the last ten minutes.

Meanwhile, Pierre took a long sip of his coffee, looking like he wanted to disappear. Good.

Luis, who had apparently returned at some point, chuckled under his breath.

"Missed a lot while I was gone, huh?"

I need a new bodega.