“Between you and me, I think Cori wants to fuck that guy.” Selene rolls her eyes. “She should just do it and leave the rest of us in peace.”
“Hear, hear,” I say.
We chat for several minutes until Rip returns and takes his spot next to me, just as the waitress brings our food. I stare at my shrimp before I glance at Rip’s ribeye.
“You want to try a shrimp?” I offer.
“I hate shrimp,” he says. He points to the other two entrees he ordered. “I got those for you.”
I push my shrimp aside, and Selene eats one.
The restaurant is silent until I hear a loud shriek. Selene moves to the end of her booth, sticks her head out, and guffaws. Cori sprints to the booth and climbs over Selene.
“Get your ass out of my face.” Selene swats Cori’s butt.
“That monster,” Cori says. “It tried to eat me.”
Rip snorts but doesn’t say a word. Seconds later, the man Cori has been stalking arrives at our table. I will never say it where Rip can hear, but the man is handsome. He’s tall, fit, and has no blemishes on his brown skin. His facial hair is well-trimmed, and he looks like he just got a fresh haircut.
“I’m sorry. She only wanted to sniff you.” The man whom I think is Daxton H is all smiles, which makes Cori flare her nostrils. “She’s a service dog,” he offers by way of explanation.
Rip snorts again.
“The only person that mongrel services is Satan.” Cori swipes her bangs to the side before she adds, “In hell.”
“That’s funny.” Daxton doesn’t smile when he says that.
“And service animal, my ass.” Cori stares directly into the man’s eyes. “You can get one of those vests anywhere. Let me see his papers,” she challenges.
He leans down and puts both hands on the table.
“Now, Bella, you know service animals aren’t required to have any kind of certification.” He lowers his voice and speaks in a tone as if talking to a child.
“Any reputable organization would give him papers,” Cori snaps back. “And what is your disability?”
He tilts his head to the side and grins. “Well, if I’m going to reveal that, I need to buy you dinner first.”
“Like I thought. You’re a phony, and that dingo doesn’t belong here.”
“That’s kinda mean since Finch likes you so much,” he says. “And Finch is sensitive lately. Someone called the Humane Society and tried to get her taken away. Made up some bogus claimthat she’s dangerous to children. Since then, she won’t leave my side.”
My fork stops halfway to my mouth while I stare at my friend. She juts out her chin and refuses to make eye contact with Dax.
“Well,” is all Cori says after clearing her throat. “I’m sure whoever reported that monster had their reasons. And that filthy beast doesn’t belong in a restaurant. I’m going to tell the manager.”
“I wouldn’t do that.” He lowers his voice. It’s a warning, but I know Cori won’t heed it.
“And how is that beast sensitive? It’s not like she knows about the Humane Society,” Cori says.
“I told her,” Daxton responds. “I tell Finch everything.”
Cori looks at all of us, smirks, and twirls her index finger by her ear.
“And that she-devil dog understands?” Cori rolls her eyes.
“She does.”
“And does she talk back to you?” Cori speaks slowly as if the man lacks intelligence.
