| Howie made some business calls for both Backstreet Boys, and the Lupus Foundation. He just got off his last phone call, when he realized he was on the phone for 3 hours. His stomach was growling when he got the signal for lunch. He was going to go in the refrigerator when he got a flash of an idea. He grabbed his keys and left his house. ~*~ Essence had just finished the �lunch rush� as Ally called it, and they had just cleaned up. �Got everything done?� asked Ally. �Yup, looks like we�ll be slow for a few hours and all the inventory is done,� Kira was wiping the tables. �Hmmm, looks like we wait around,� Ally scratched her head. Kira and Ally sat at one of the tables, when they heard the bell ring. They turned around to see Howie standing there. �Hi.� �Hi,� said Ally. �What are you doing here?� �Well, since this is a food shop, and I am hungry, thought I would eat.� �Sure,� said Ally. �What can I get you?� Howie looked at the menu. �The chicken cordon bleu sounds good.� �Coming up,� Kira got up and prepared the food. She looked over at Ally. No daggers for eyes, she actually seemed� happy. �Mind if I sit?� Howie pulled out a chair. �No, join me,� Ally put her hand out and Howie took a seat. �So what�s up?� �Just finished up for the afternoon. Made a lot of calls, same old business shit. You?� �Same,� said Ally. Kira brought the food to Howie with a bottle of water. �How much?� he took out his wallet. �On the house,� smiled Ally. �Now I know where I can eat out,� winked Howie. Kira looked at the two of them. �Uh, Kira, there�s some boxes that need to be opened up in the stock room.� �No problem.� �Oh, Kira? What�s your sister�s name so I can get the picture?� �Wow you remembered?� �Howard never forgets, he�s like an elephant.� Ally laughed. �Lisa.� Kira responded. �Thanks,� said Howie. Kira went to the back. �You know, you can call me Howie like everyone else.� �I�m not everyone else,� responded Ally. �That still feels weird to me when people call you Howie.� �Fair enough,� he took a bite. �Mmm, that is really good.� �Glad you like it.� �So, when did you open this place?� �Last year. I saved up when I was working at this PR firm, then I decided to quit and start my own business. I went to college with Kira and asked her to help me run this place.� �And from the taste of this food, I can tell you�re doing real well.� �Can�t complain, I make my own way. How�s the foundation coming?� �Real good. We got a big fundraiser coming up, you know, celebrities donating items, and some performances. I�m hoping to get a couple of grand off of it.� �Well, if there�s anyway that I can help out, let me know.� �Will do.� Howie and Ally had a longer conversation when Ally looked at the clock. �Listen, I have to get ready for the dinner crowd.� �OK, I should get going.� Howie got up. �Say goodbye to Kira for me.� �No problem. Bye.� �Bye,� he left the store. Kira ran from the back. �OK, he�s gone, now tell.� �Tell what?� �Whoa! You come in a few weeks ago and tell me to kick this guy out, and now you want me to give him a free lunch?� �Well, we kind of worked things out, and we�re trying to have a friendship again.� �That�s my girl.� Kira ruffled Ally�s hair. �You are so fired for that.� �Yeah, yeah,� laughed Kira. Chapter 9 Contents Chapter 7 |