Promises and Pomegranates by Sav R. Miller

back from the table as if she can sense an impending explosion.
“I’d like to try the shellfish lasagna. Stick as close to my Italian roots as I
can get, you know?” Elena says suddenly, sliding the menu across the table.
“And I’d love a Diet Coke.”
Gwen studies Elena, raising an eyebrow. She doesn’t touch the menu,
then swings her gaze back to me, as if waiting for approval.
Elena stiffens, her shoulders brushing my arm. “I don’t need Kallum’s
permission to order food.”
My waitress’s eyes flash with a dull amusement at the use of my full
name. “I’m just not sure you know how bad of a cook Vinny is—”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” Elena turns her chin up, scooting toward me in
the booth until our thighs touch. Her warmth is like a live wire to my groin,
the sweet scent of her shampoo intoxicating.
I’m not even sure if she’s aware of her migration, and I’m about to retreat
to give her space, when her hand comes down over mine on the table, the
diamond on her ring finger glittering in the bar light. Snorting softly, Gwen
nods, swiping the menu and jotting something down on her notepad as she
turns away.
As soon as her form disappears through the kitchen door, Elena snatches
her hand back, shoving it beneath her thigh as she moves away. “How do you
know that girl?”
“I’m her boss. Well, by proxy. Technically, my associate Jonas is her
boss, but he works for me and I own half the bar, so...”
“You own a bar?” She glances around, tucking her dark hair behind her
ear. “This bar?”
I smirk, scooting to my left, eating up the distance between us again,
because for whatever reason, her absence leaves me feeling bereft.
“You didn’t think my work for your father was my only source of
income, did you? How do you think I afford my home? My jet? My
solitude?”
She frowns. “I guess I thought Papá paid well.”
I laugh, but it’s short and hollow. “Rafael doesn’t pay nearly enough.”
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I click my message app open, typing a
quick one out to Jonas.
Me: Thanks for the heads-up that Violet called in today.
He replies within seconds.
Jonas: Piss off. I had no clue she wasn’t going to be there. Haven’t