Chapter 11

June POV

Shit.

I didn’t ask for this.

All I wanted was a little lunch break — a full hamburger with a cold iced Americano, under the blazing sun in the forgotten garden behind the company.

Sipping and munching while I dump every chaotic detail to Leila.

But alas, here I am. In a fancy restaurant, staring at an overpriced menu and not knowing what the hell to order.

They don’t even have hamburgers?

Confused? I’ll explain.

The lunch meeting? That lunch meeting? The “I-don’t-even-know-if-they-exist” clients bailed.

Was Mr. Grande angry?

Surprisingly, no.

What does he do instead? He says we shouldn’t waste the reservation, and that we should eat here anyway.

Can I complain?

No. Of course not. I like being employed.

“What is taking you so long?”

His voice slices through my inner monologue like a cold scalpel dipped in condescension.

I jump.

He’s watching me. His elbows on the tabl