Chapter 3

Lily peered into my pot. “A two-flavor broth? That’s adorable. Eating hot pot alone—what level of lonely is that?”

She raised her camera and took a picture.

“Delete it,” I said.

She looked at Jack.

“It’s just a photo,” he said. “Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

I stood and reached for the camera. Lily stepped back. Her elbow knocked the sauce dish, and hot oil splashed across the table. My wrist stung.

“Oh, Anna, are you okay?” Lily said.

Jack moved toward me, then glanced at her. “Take care of it yourself. I’ll settle her in next door and come back.”

He followed Lily to another table.

A server brought burn cream. “About the membership card…”

“Don’t renew it.”

I opened a message to my boss: *Give me the partnership. I can’t afford hot pot anymore.*

I looked up and saw Jack glancing over with the patient smile he used when he expected me to calm down on my own.