“Oh, like my money?” Ben shot back.
Ouch.
“Please. The only reason you have more than two nickels to rub together is because your grandpa left your family a fortune. One you’re close to killing. Does Daddy know how much you spent on your recent boy’s trip? You know, the one where no girls were allowed?”
“Marlie, enough.” Ben stood, and Damon noticed a mid-thirties guy dressed in expensive casual. And loafers.
She should totally ditch this jackhole for the shoes alone.
“You’re just jealous because I have more money than you’ll make in a lifetime,” Ben snapped.
Marlie gave an ugly laugh that still managed to sound sexy. And threatening. “At least I earn mine. I work hard, and I make a difference in the community. You do nothing but talk about how rich you are while snubbing everyone outside your little boy’s club.”
“It’s not a boy’s club.” Ben’s jaw tightened. “The Hope’s Turn Social Club is important to this town.”
“You mean to your snobby friends.” She paused then added, “Oh, and speaking of your obnoxious buddies, the hotel called to let you know they found a driver’s license in the room you stayed in. Apparently, your girlfriend left it behind. You know, on that boy’s-only trip.”
Ben coughed. “Um, what?—”
“Only problem is, I’m not Darlene McBoob.”
“It’s McBride,” Ben growled, his face red. “And she’s just a friend. I don’t like what you’re implying.”
“I don’t care.”
Ben suddenly realized he and Marlie had become the center of attention. He lowered his voice, but Damon still heard him say, “Can we please take this discussion somewhere else?”
Marlie finally stood. She tossed her napkin on the table and took a step forward.
Seeing her, Damon froze.
She wasn’t the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Not the best dressed, though she wore a pair of jeans and a cropped green sweater nicely enough.
Her hair looked natural, a brown so dark it appeared black that spilled down her back. He couldn’t tell the color of her eyes, but she had height. Maybe half a foot shorter than his own six-six frame.
But there was something about her that captivated him, refusing to let him look away.
She flipped Ben off and sneered. “Take this discussion wherever you want. I’m done. Done trying to make you happy while you walk all over me. Done staying out of the way and volunteering all my time to support you while you’re too busy to help me with anything.”
“I’m sure that’s how you see it.” Somehow Ben looked down his nose at her, though he and the woman stood at the same height.
“Yeah, because I like the truth. I live in the real world.” She pinched the bridge of her nose and added, “I’ll dump your crap off at your office.”
“Bring it to my parents’—”
She cut him off. “And don’t even try leaving without paying and tipping well. You owe all the people here for dealing with your bullshit at least.”
Marlie stormed out of the restaurant.
Out of his life.
Damon rushed to his feet and followed, calling out to a nearby server that he’d be right back, and to please let his friend, who had yet to return from the restroom, know.
But in his haste to find the angry Marlie, he nearly tripped as he exited the restaurant. Just what he didn’t need for his healing knee.
He let loose a few expletives that had the older couple waiting to enter blanch.
“Sorry,” Damon muttered and rushed after the woman, who had turned the corner of the main street downtown.
