15-05-2021-052358It-Ends-with-Us

Darin leans forward and points at himself. “I’m the sous chef at
Bib’s.” He points at Brad. “He’s the dishwasher.”
“For now,” Brad interjects. “I’m working my way up.”
“What about you?” I say to Jimmy.
He smirks and says, “Take a guess.”
Based on the way he dresses and the fact that he’s been called
arrogant and pompous, I’d have to assume... “Maître d’?”
Atlas laughs. “Jimmy actually works in valet.”
I glance back at Jimmy and raise an eyebrow. He tosses three poker
chips down and says, “It’s true. I park cars for tips.”
“Don’t let him fool you,” Atlas says. “He works in valet, but only
because he’s so rich he gets bored.”
I smile. It reminds me of Allysa. “I have an employee like that. Only
works because she’s bored. She’s actually the best employee I have.”
“Damn straight,” Jimmy mutters.
I take a look at my cards when it’s my turn and toss in the three
poker chips. Atlas’s phone rings and he pulls it out of his pocket. I’m
raising the pot with another chip when he excuses himself from the
table to take the call.
“Fold,” Brad says, slapping his cards on the table.
I’m watching the hallway Atlas just disappeared down in a hurry. It
makes me wonder if he’s talking to Cassie, or if there’s someone else
in his life. I know what he does for a living. I know he has at least
three friends. I just know nothing about his love life.
Darin lays his cards on the table. Four of a kind. I lay down my
straight flush and reach forward for all the poker chips as Darin
groans.
“So does Cassie not usually come to poker night?” I ask, fishing for
more information on Atlas. Information I’m too scared to ask him
myself.
“Cassie?” Brad says.
I stack my winnings up in front of me and nod. “Isn’t that his
girlfriend’s name?”
Darin laughs. “Atlas doesn’t have a girlfriend. I’ve known him for
two years and he’s never mentioned anyone named Cassie.” He begins
passing out new cards, but I’m trying to absorb the information he