The local restaurant was small, warm, and always smelled faintly of garlic and butter. It wasn’t fancy, but it was close to their apartment and cheap enough that Sebastian didn’t feel guilty bringing his mother and Maya out for dinner. After the night he’d had, he didn’t want to cook. He didn’t want to think. He just wanted silence.
They sat in a booth near the back. Cecilia ordered soup. Maya ordered fries. Sebastian ordered whatever was cheapest.
Halfway through their meal, the television above the counter switched to breaking news.
A reporter stood outside Luxe, police tape behind her, workers rushing in and out.
“—the upscale restaurant’s opening will be delayed indefinitely after extensive damage was discovered early this morning—”
The entire restaurant went quiet.
Everyone star
