“Steve went after you both once he calmed me and Cassy down.” He held the door open for Rori to pass. “When he came back, he explained more to us. Of course, Cassy got all sparkly-eyed, thinking it was like something out of a romance novel.”
“That’s our Cassy.”
Brandon chuckled. “Definitelyour Cassy.” He guided her with a hand on her lower back through the tight curbside takeout room. “You came in early just to talk to me?”
“Yeah.” Rori shrugged, tucking a rebel wave that had fallen loose of her ponytail behind her ear. “I hadn’t heard from you and, I don’t know, I got worried. I wanted to clear things up.”
“You worry your beautiful head too much.”
That, she certainly did. At least she had one less thing toworry about. Brandon’s friendship held too dear a spot in her heart to lose, and seeing he was his normal self with her left her shoulders far lighter than they had been driving in. They worked in tandem to set up for opening, despite another server being scheduled for the open shift with Brandon. Their banter came naturally, helping her forget the troubles that plagued her. As the dinner rush started, and Cassy arrived, her contentment stretched. At least here, while at work, she was safe. Safe from Rich. Safe from the turmoil Thaddeus brewed.
Safe from herself.
Until heat trickled down her spine and flowed through her muscles as she placed wine glasses on a tray. The glasses clinked when a tremor weakened her arms. Instinctively, she snapped her head toward the front entrance.
The world shook. An explosion of butterflies unleashed within her belly, flying upward to the back of her throat. Heat scorched her face.
“Whoa.” The bartender’s hand steadied her tray, catching a glass before it toppled over. Rori cleared her throat and gave her head a gentle shake, fighting the storm brewing inside herself and finding some semblance of composure. “Ror, you good?”
The smile that formed was shaky at best, but she nodded regardless, fixing her glassware. “Yeah. Got a little woozy. Probably need a water.”
“Go grab a drink. I’ll set your tray up for you.”
“Thanks.”
Rori rushed to the back and grabbed a glass from the rack. Brandon paused on his way out of the wait station, brows furrowed. “Hermosa, what’s up?”
She waved his concern aside, holding up the half-fullglass of water. “Tickle in my throat.” She drank it down. “Probably a spice from the kitchen.”
He leaned out of the wait station, then turned back to her. “That spice has nothing to do with Steve and his brother waiting for a table?”
Damn, she hated lying. “Caught me off guard.”
Realization sparked in his eyes. “Grabbing drinks from the bar? I’ve a few, too. I’ll come with you.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got it.”
Brandon hesitated but finally left, only to be replaced by Cassy. Her friend grabbed her arm and tugged, her face beaming, eyes sparkling, one of the biggest smiles on her face. Her excitement was palpable. If only Rori could feel remotely as excited.
“He’sthe one who swept you away and this is the first time I’m getting a good look at him. Damn it, girl! I didn’t think anyone could come close to Steve, but Ryan?” Cassy fanned her face, feigning a heat flash. “Those two brothers are lethal in looks. And if Ryan is even a fraction as amazing as Steve, you’re one lucky bitch. I should smack Steve for not warning me about his brother.”
Wonder what you’d say if you knew Thaddeus tried to kill your boyfriend and knocked you unconscious.
Rori laughed quietly. “I’m trying to deal with Rich. The last thing I need is another person in my life, so I’m sure Steve came to see his beautiful girlfriend, ’cause he can’t keep his eyes and hands off you, and dragged his brother along.” She put her glass in a dirty rack and jutted her chin toward the bar. “I’ve drinks waiting for me.”
“Yeah, I highly doubt that.” Cassy gathered glasses and lined them up for her drinks. “Steve doesn’t like coming here unless it’s to pick me up or drop me off. He’s not an attentionseeker, and the few times he’s come in, these chicks don’t know how to tone down their wild comments about him.”
The universe must have been eavesdropping, because not a moment later, a small clique of said chicks scrambled into the wait station, giggling as they commented on the brothers. Cassy hissed, spinning on them and wagging a finger at the other three servers.
“Watch it. They’reverytaken.” She looked them up and down. “And none of you have a chance in hell to win them over. “
“Fuck, Cassy. We know Steve’s your boyfriend, but that other?—”
“Has his sights set already, so don’t waste your time.”
Rori sidled between Cassy and the group of women, escaping one fire for another.
Dear God, why is this happening to me?
