Dodge decided he had better distract Shaw. “How long did you two have to wait?”
Dark green eyes focused on him. “Not long. We had reservations.”
Damn. This was a planned date. “Smart.” Hands landed on his shoulders. “Excuse me. Sorry.” Dodge scooted his chair closer to the table, making room for the woman to pass.
Salem snorted.
“Whole goddamn football field back there,” Quest muttered under his breath.
Dodge looked around the table, trying to figure out what he missed. Salem and Quest were exchanging a knowing glance while Shaw had death daggers in his eyes as he stared across the room. Dodge followed his gaze. A guy in a wheelchair sat with another man at a table, seemingly oblivious to Shaw murdering them with his stare.
“Do you have something against disabled people?”
Shaw blinked at Dodge’s question and tore hisgaze away from the pair. “What sort of idiotic question is that?”
“Whoa.” Quest was obviously ready to square up at Shaw’s words.
Dodge was used to it, and he had been baiting him.
Salem was already scooting his chair back. “I can’t believe I fell for that apology.”
Dodge ignored it all. “I was only asking because of the way you were trying to kill that guy with your eyes.”
Salem looked over his shoulder. “Oh. It’s Joesph. They had a fight earlier.”
A muscle ticked in Quest’s jaw.
Dodge decided it was time to defuse the situation. “That was on me. I shouldn’t have assumed something like that about your character. Sorry, man.”
Shaw looked Salem’s way. It was obvious his decision to accept Dodge’s apology rode on if Salem left.
Salem didn’t scoot back toward the table, but he no longer looked angry. “Should we go somewhere else? You just calmed down.”
Shaw’s shoulders visibly relaxed. His smile turned genuine. “It’s fine. I’m over it. Let’s just enjoy lunch.” He focused on Dodge. “It’s okay. I get the feeling you’resomeone who calls out injustices. That’s admirable, even if it was directed at me.”
Oh no. He was smooth. Dodge didn’t know if he could compete with that. He looked Quest’s way. The same muscle still jumped in his jaw, but he stared at the menu.
A beer appeared in front of him. “This is from that lady at the bar.”
Salem laughed and looked toward where the server indicated.
Quest sighed.
A low chuckle rumbled from Shaw.
Dodge blinked at the glass. “Oh. Okay. Uh, thanks, I guess.” He didn’t bother looking toward the bar. Havinga drink delivered to someone was weird. He pushed the glass toward Quest.
“Dodge doesn’t drink,” Salem explained.
Quest pushed the glass Shaw’s way. “I’m cutting back.”
Shaw glanced at the glass. “I’m technically working today.”
“For fuck’s sake.” Salem snatched up the drink and headed for the bar.
Dodge watched in horror as he carried the beer to a woman in a red top and black leggings. She was blonde and pretty, but he wasn’t interested. Salem spoke to her, wearing all smilesbefore returning empty-handed. “There. She’s really sorry for the misunderstanding. Is everyone satisfied?”
Not really. Now he felt bad.
