“Let me help you,” I say, taking two plates from her hands. They’re not heavy, but now I can’t exactly knock Dick’s teeth out for being a douchebag. Putting myself between her and him seems like the best idea so far.
“Thank you.” Her voice stays strong—maybe she didn’t need my help after all. After securing the dishes in my hands even though the counter is a foot away, she turns to Dick. “I don’t know how I’ll survive being rejected by a miserable little pissboy.”
So she decided to push this line. Okay. Knuckles probably will get bloody since he’s clearly insecure, and I won’t stand for him insulting the girl.
Sure thing, once her words register in his brain, his nostrils flare and fists clench, and I see the same person whowas waiting for Nora at her car. I’ve seen plenty of guys like that to know he’ll throw fists around eventually at anyone who makes his little feelings uncomfortable.
Acting on emotions, he steps forward while I take a step backward to cross paths with him, and he bumps into my shoulder. I turn to him and say in a low voice, “I wouldn’t do that.”
His angry eyes dart between mine while he’s clearly contemplating if he should follow through with what he really wants to do. But even though I’ve dreamed about rearranging his face since I heard the story of how he treated Nora and then seeing with my own eyes how he still does, the place and time is not ideal. It shouldn’t be here at the diner or after his interactions with any of the girls. Otherwise, he’ll hold grudges against them. No, this is between me and him going after women. Not on my fucking watch. I’m even ready to break my own rule about getting involved in anything violent. One of my main rules.
But it would be worth it.
“Richard.” The inspector’s stern voice takes us both out of our testosterone-filled standoff. And for the first time, I’m grateful she spoke because I might have gone too far into my own rage judging by how fragile the plates in my hands feel.
Dick gives me a slow blink before placing a smile on his annoying as fuck face.
“Let’s go, Jaqueline. This place doesn’t have any decent food. We will get you something at my place.”
“Or coffee,” she adds, standing up. “They can’t even make a decent latte around here.”
“Hillbillies,” Nora chimes in with a shrug and the widest smile I’ve ever seen on her.
I follow them with my eyes until they disappear beyond the door, making sure neither of them are coming back, and only then do I walk around the counter and place the dishes on the windowsill between the kitchen and the diner itself.Roman returns to a slightly burnt meal, but not before giving me a nod.
When I’m walking back to my seat, Nora stops me by grabbing my arm. Then she rises on her tippytoes and places a quick kiss on my cheek before retreating to the cash register and fidgeting with a stack of receipts.
My hand jumps to touch the spot her lips landed on when I notice the silence in the room. Again. Stopping myself halfway because it would be too sappy, and I need to maintain a tough guy demeanor if I want to scare Dick and the likes of him off, I ask loudly, “Where’s my meatloaf?”
A few chuckles here and there dissolve the heavy air.
“It’s fish and chips day,” Nora replies with a cheeky smile, looking the most relaxed I’ve seen her since I came in.
“I’ll take that.” I take a seat at the counter, feeling curious stares on myself with my every move. There goes my plan of lying low in the new town.
Looks like it’s time to detour.
29
Nora
My poor ovaries have been ovulating since Jericho kissed me so openly in public, claiming—What exactly? Me? Our relationship? Not sure. But what is sure is that he showed the woman—and me—where his loyalty lies.
When he put himself between Dick and Karina, I’m sure I doubled that egg production my grandmother has been so concerned with. Besides Roman, I don’t remember a man being so protective over me and my family. Ever since my parents died, the Moon girls have always been on our own, and having a big, clearly strong man standing up for us feels good. In fact, much better than I thought it would.
And it’s not only that he’s strong physically, even though his physique is very impressive. His personality is unwavering. When they created ‘strong and silent,’ they must have thought of Jericho. He doesn’t need to speak to be threatening. He doesn’t need to speak to be protective. He justneeds to be.
Before I even place an order to Roman, he comes out from the kitchen with the biggest plate we have, and we’re notorious for generous portions. He places the plate with what appears to be triple fried fish in front of Jericho.
“You let me know if you need anything else.” Roman’s accent is a bit thicker than usual which is an indication that he’s emotional.
People who don’t know him might not notice that, but I do.
They share a silent stare which speaks louder than any words would. Something that only men with a common understanding can do. And I feel a tiny sparkle of unexpected happiness that they’ve accepted each other so fast. Roman is a big part of my life, always has been. And it looks like Jericho might become one too, at least I’d like him to.
Jericho inhales the food in moments, and I’m about to offer more when Karina strolls from the kitchen and places another plate in front of him.
He regards her with a quirked brow. “I’ll need a new wardrobe after spending a few weeks in this town.”
