“What?” sherasped. “Really?”
“Scouts’ honor.”I nodded.
Cora glancedaround the room, grabbed two menus, then nodded. “Follow me.”
She led us intoa private booth in the back corner of the restaurant and I sat with my back tothe room while Train sat across from me, back to the outside wall, facing everydoor so he could see anyone coming or going.
“This isperfect,” I said. “Thank you.”
“I’ll get Marigold.She’ll keep your secret, too,” Cora promised, handing us our menus.
“Okay, honey,thanks.”
“You trust them?”Train asked.
I settled mychin in my palm and smiled at him. “I’ve come to know the difference between atrue Morganite and a wannabe. And that girl’s the genuine crystal.”
Train smirked.“I fuckin’ hope so.”
“Hey there. I’m Marigold.I’m your server. I’m also gonna try and keep the assholes from your table.” Iglanced over at the tall young woman standing next to me, blocking my view fromthe restaurant, and smiled. This one was obviously the protective older sister.The polar opposite of Cora, she had long blonde hair pulled into a highponytail, not one piercing or tattoo visible, and she appeared to be youraverage, every day good girl. But you could tell by the way she looked you deadin the eye that she had a steely resolve and didn’t take shit off anyone. “Wealso don’t need backstage passes, Ms. Morgan. As much as we appreciate yourgenerosity, I explained to my sister that you’re entitled to a quiet mealwithout being bothered, and you certainly shouldn’t have to pay for that.” Shesmiled. “Have you had a chance to look over the menu?”
“Yes, we have,”I said.
“What can I getyou?”
We rattled offour order and handed her our menus, and Marigold left us alone. I raised aneyebrow at Train. “Well, that was interesting.”
“How so?”
“That woman justturned down backstage passes,” I said distractedly, checking to see if Brandyhad texted me.
“So… not a realcrystal then?”
I chuckled. “Oh,no, now I’m thinking she’s even more of one. And has integrity to boot. Do youknow how rare it is to meet people who don’t want to suck the life out of you?”
“No, baby, Idon’t, but I hate that you do.”
I smiled,glancing at my phone screen again. Still nothing from Brandy. “I’ve got goodpeople around me now, honey. And, honestly, my sisters protected me even when Ididn’t want to be, so I rarely got taken advantage of. I’ve been very lucky, tosay the least.”
“It’s why yougive so much back.”
“I try to, yes.”
Before Traincould say anything else, Cora rushed up to our table. “Ms. Morgan? Um, I’mreally sorry about the backstage passes.”
“You didn’t doanything wrong, Cora. I offered.”
“No, I know,but, still. I’m sorry.”
“Cora, you’vegot folks at the door, sissy,” Marigold said, carrying a tray of drinks, andCora scurried away. Marigold smiled, setting our drinks in front of us. “Yourfood should be ready soon. Can I get you anything else?”
“We’re good,” Isaid. “Thanks.”
She walked awayand I glanced at my screen again.
“I’m gonnafuckin’ confiscate that phone if you keep lookin’ at it,” Train warned.
“What if there’san emergency?”
