It was a watch I had once priced and walked away from, because it cost more than a month of my payroll.
“What’s this supposed to be?”
“He came in asking for something to eat,” said Noelia. “I gave him some soup.”
“Did he pay?”
“I’m paying for his meal.”
Hunter laughed, short and bitter.
“Noelia, how many times do I have to explain this?”
“We’re running a restaurant, not a charity!”
“It’s just one meal, Hunter.”
“One meal today, five tomorrow!”
He swept his hand toward me.
“You think customers want to sit beside people who look like him?”
The dining room had gone quiet.
I lowered my head.
“Sir, I’m not bothering anyone,” I said quietly. “I only wanted something warm to eat.”
Hunter bent close.
He smelled of expensive cologne and spearmint gum.
“Then you picked the wrong restaurant.”
Before I could respond, he grabbed my arm.
