When you Sydney got her job at the beef house we’re happy for her. Working with one of her idols. The beef turned to the bear. And Sydney spent more and more time at work.*

You didn’t mind of course, you had work too. A photographer, freelancing for Chicago based magazines, and private companies, and a ton of other shit.

you’d been hired to take pictures for food and wine magazine. If course the lists of restaurants included the bear. You’d been too nervous to tell Sydney. Opting to just show up without telling her. Maybe she’d be in the kitchen the whole time. And that no one would recognize you.

that plan had been foiled the moment you met Richie’s eyes as he escorted you to your table. It was then you knew that Sydney knew.

You’d taken your pictures, ate the dinner and left. Too nervous to look Richie or Neil in the eye the entire night.

youd gotten home around the same time as Sydney. Her sitting on the couch, looking at her phone until she noticed you coming in. Setting down your bag, still dressed nicely while she was in her regular clothes.

“You came in tonight.” sydney looked at you, you couldn’t tell if it was disappointment or confusion.