Lu hadn’t moved, but I could feel her tense, ready to spring.
Sunshine shifted his boots under the table, shoulders dipping, both hands going flat on either side of his plate. From the look on his face, he was going to pop Doug right in the nose.
Jo took her time chewing a fry, letting the uncomfortable silence spread out and out. “Not to an ass like you.” She didn’t even throw him a look.
Sales-schmuck’s mouth opened, closed, and he turned a deep, dark red. He sputtered, head jerking back and forth, looking for allies among the diners.
People were watching, hell, it was probably the most interesting thing that had happened all month, being how small the town was. But no one was taking it on themselves to come to his defense.
Most of them were scowling at him.
Jo finished off her soda, then stood. “Thanks for lunch,” she said to Lu and Sunshine.
Sunshine was watching her. It was a mix of respect and humor, and yeah, if I was looking close enough, it might be desire too.
Lu noticed all that, probably better than I. “Do you want to check out that room?” she asked.
Jo shook her head. “Naw, I gotta hit the road if I’m going to get back before dark. Excuse me. Step aside, please.”
Sales-schmuck dug in his heels. Leaned forward to tower over her, even though she had several inches on him. He wanted a fight. Wanted to take her down, put her under his shoe. Wanted to establish his dominance as something better.
As if any human being who behaved like a shit was better than a smart, strong woman like Jo.
Jo shifted the message bag, her hand dropping into a pocket. I figured she either had a sock full of nickels in there or a can of mace.
“Kick him in the pea shooter,” I suggested.
“Move aside,” Jo repeated, not backing down an inch.
The schmuck threw a glare at Sunshine.
“I’d move,” Sunshine suggested. “’Cause you’re making an ass out of yourself.”
“Watch your mouth, Fisher.” Doug jabbed a finger at him. But he finally stepped slightly to one side, not quite making enough room for Jo to get by.
She strode forward, shoulder-checking him hard enough Sales Schmuck had to take another step back.
Sunshine planted his elbow on the table and fanned his fingers around his mouth to hold back his chuckle.
“You better have my damn car ready by time I get there,” Doug snarled, his skin gone purple, sweat beading across his forehead.
“No, that’s not going to happen now.”
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t need your business, Doug.”
“Like hell you don’t.” Doug went on with his snarling while he stomped over to Susan and demanded a table.
I hoped Susan spit in his coffee.
“You’re turning away his money?” Lu asked.
“I don’t support people who can’t treat other people like decent human beings.”
“And you were going to pay for her to stay in town?” Lu asked, her eyes on Sunshine, watching every move.
“Sure. Better a fresh start in the morning than her having to put in overtime. I haven’t had reliable internet for a couple weeks now. One more day wouldn’t matter.”
