*
“So, things between you and Josh cool?” Joey asked, and Lance nodded. “Dan left yesterday, and he and Josh were able to get some kind of closure. Well, at least Josh got his from what he told me happened. I’m not so sure about Dan, though.”
“Do you care?” Joey asked with a grin, and Lance laughed. “He was nice, I guess. When we went out to dinner, we got along. He was flirting with me all night, I think to make Josh mad at me. Too bad it backfired on him.”
“That still doesn’t answer my question.”
“I guess I don’t care too much, I mean, he’s Josh’s ex, it’s not like I’m rooting for him to get what he wants,” Lance said, and Joey chuckled.
“Are you two alone tonight again?” Mr. Fatone asked, coming out of his office. “Yeah, Justin and Britney split. Again. I don’t know why you let them work here Dad, they never do any actual work,” Joey said.
Mr. Fatone shrugged. “I love all my employees, and I just couldn’t fire two kids as sweet as them.”
“You’re too soft, Dad,” Joey said with a laugh.
Mr. Fatone turned to Lance. “So, where is Joshua this fine evening?” “He’s preparing a lesson for his students tomorrow.” Mr. Fatone nodded and said, “Well, if he comes by, let me know, I’d like to ask him about that dishwasher.”
“Oh yeah, because he fixed our coffee machine that one time, huh?” Joey asked, and Lance nodded. He heard the ding of the bell on the front door, signaling that a customer had just entered, and he left the kitchen.
“Hi, welcome to Fatone’s,” Lance said, not looking up until he was done talking. “Chris?” he asked.
Chris smiled. “Hey Lance. I was wondering... well, I saw the sign in the window when Dan and I were here that one time, and I was wondering if you still needed someone to work here.”
Lance grinned. “You want a job here? Of course. Follow me,” he said, leading Chris over to a small table. “Sit down, I’ll go get the employee form for you to fill out. I’ll have to interview you, of course, but trust me, the job’s already yours.”
Chris smiled and Lance disappeared to go get the papers. He came back and after Chris filled them out, Lance asked him a few questions, and then Lance’s boss, who he introduced as Mr. Fatone, came out and asked him a few more questions.
“Well,” Mr. Fatone said, “you sound like you’re just what we need. Welcome aboard.” They shook hands and Lance was grinning behind Mr. Fatone. “You’re going to love working here,” Lance said, as Mr. Fatone went back into the kitchen.
“Just wait here while I go help Mr. Fatone process those papers, and then I’ll give you a tour of the restaurant and show you how everything works.”
Chris nodded and Lance disappeared back into the kitchen. After a moment, Chris heard the door to the restaurant open and saw Josh walk in.
“Hi,” he said in greeting, and Josh was a little surprised to see Chris there. “Hi Chris, what are you doing here?”
“I work here now, I was just hired.”
Josh smiled. “You’ll like working here, good people are here.”
Chris nodded. “Yeah, I could tell when I first walked in here.”
Josh laughed. “Same here. The first time I ever entered this restaurant, I could tell it was one of those places where everyone remembers your name, and makes you feel welcome.”
They were silent for a moment before Chris spoke up, “I’m sorry for what I did to you. For taking Dan away from you. I knew you two were dating and I let him cheat on you with me. I let him move in with me. I’ve always felt bad about what I did, and I’m so sorry.”
Josh smiled at Chris. “I’m not. In fact, I should thank you. If you and Dan hadn’t gotten together, I would’ve never been able to be with Lance. And I love Lance so much more than I ever loved Dan.”
Chris smiled. “I can see that.”
Lance walked out of the kitchen, and Chris saw his face brighten at the sight of Josh. “Hey Josh, I was just about to show Chris around. Want to join us?”
Josh nodded and the three men disappeared behind the swinging doors.
“Hey Josh?” Lance asked.
“Yeah baby?”
“Can you take a look at the dishwasher? Mr. Fatone thinks it’s broken.”
Josh laughed and Joey looked over. “Hey,” he said to Chris, extending his hand. “I’m Joey.”
“Chris.”
They shook hands and Joey said, “You can meet Justin and Britney when they get back. You seem like someone who’d get along with Justin pretty well.”
“Yeah, maybe he’ll stop making out with Britney if he makes a new friend,” Lance joked. Chris laughed lightly, feeling--oddly enough--that he belonged.
It’s funny, how the world works.
*
The End
