“I knew whatcha meant. Just making conversation.”
Charlie chuckled to himself before picking up his sandwich.
“Side of vinegar, coming right up.” I went out back and reached for one of the side dishes.
Thelma opened the door. “Rick is here with a few of his buddies. Want me to take him?”
I let out a sigh. Rick was one of those jerks from high school who had asked me out after Austin and I had broken up. When I didn’t make out with him, he got pissed off and never asked me out on a second date. Instead, he spread a rumor that I did it with him. He’d been an A-class asshole ever since.
“No, finish your lunch break. I can handle Rick.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, you took him last time.”
“If he gives you any lip, just tell Mack. He’ll take care of it.”
I dropped off the vinegar for Lucas and walked over to Rick’s table with menus. “Hello boys, can I start you off with something to drink?”
His two friends ordered cokes. When I looked over at Rick, he leaned back in his chair and tucked his fingers into the waist of his jeans. “Got anything that tastes as sweet as you?”
I rolled my eyes as his friends snickered into their menus. “Unless you want a glass full of vinegar, I suggest you tell me what you’d like to drink.”
He smirked. “I like a little vinegar now and then.”
“Your drink?”
“Surprise me.”
A few more latecomers from the mill walked in. I looked over at Thelma, who was already cleaning up her plate. “I got it.”
I poured two cokes and one water and set it down in front of Rick and his crew. “Know whatcha want?”
The three of them ordered bacon burgers with cheese, and Rick held up his water. “Get me a coke after you put in our order.”
I grabbed his drink, and his fingers swiped at mine. I ripped my hand away and the plastic cup fell to the floor, water spilling everywhere
“Oops.”
Heat seared through my chest as I bent down to pick up the straw. Rick gripped my arm. “Don’t forget that coke now.”
His hand instantly released my arm, and I turned around to see Lucas’s fingers around Rick’s wrist. “You touch her again, and I’ll break every bone in your hand.”
The dining room chatter came to a halt as Thelma, Charlie, and the guys from the mill watched on.
Rick stood up, along with his buddies.
Oh no.
“Oh yeah?” He ripped his wrist from Lucas’s grip. “You got pretty soft hands for someone who talks tough.”
Lucas didn’t move an inch as he glared into Rick’s eyes. “Try me.”
I ran up to the window. “Ben, get Mack. Lucas and Rick are about to go at it.”
Ben instantly took off his apron and called, “Mack, trouble out front!” Then he slammed open the swinging door and walked over to stand next to Lucas. “Is there a problem here?”
Thelma stood next to me and looped her arm through mine as Mack came out to see what was going on.
