Autumn did not stand when Jennings arrived. She saw no need to, and wasn’t sure she could avoid hitting him if she did. She sat and waited for him to settle down.

The waiter arrived with Autumn’s order in a bag. “What can I get for you, sir?” he asked Mr. Jennings, completely ignoring Autumn.

Jennings looked at the food ready to go and then turned to the waiter. “Just a drink, I believe,” he said.

“The usual sir?”

“Yes.” Jennings waved the ...