Knox isn’t mine by any means. I didn’t leave New York just to come here and dive into a serious, committed relationship, and that’s assuming Knox is even interested in me that way. Then throw Griffin into the mix, and shit gets all sorts of confusing. But all of that aside, I don’t have to like watching women flirt with them.
The blonde sneers at me. “We’ll wait for Knox.” She’s clearly the ringleader of this trio.
Fake smile still in place, I attempt to kill them with kindness, and if they die, then I’ll consider it bonus points. “Knox is busy at the moment. I’m more than happy to take your order.”
The blonde looks me up and down, and her friends follow suit. I don’t know what they’re looking for. I’m wearing my normal work attire. Cut-off denim shorts, a tank top, and tennis shoes. I know their stares are meant to make me shake in my boots, so to speak. But I’ve faced scarier people than them. It’ll take a lot more than the judging eyes of a few pathetic women to make me flinch.
My eyes search out each of their left hands.
One…two…three wedding rings.
“I know you’re new here, honey, so I’ll let you in on a secret. You’re not woman enough for him. Either of them, really. You’re how old? Eighteen?” She adds a half-smile.
My eyes widen. “Twenty-five.”
“Still too young. He needs a woman more…” She tilts her head side to side as she gives me another once over. “Experienced.”
The muscles along my jaw clench. Placing my hand on the table, I lean into their huddle of three, so it looks like we’re sharing a secret. “No offence,honey, but desperation doesn’t look good on you.”
The two other women gasp, and I swear I hear a chuckle turn into a cough somewhere behind me.
The blonde’s eyes sharpen, and her mouth grows tight.
I don’t wait for her comeback as I spin on my heel and head straight for the kitchen.
“Ughhh,” I growl at no one in particular.
Camden snorts as he assembles the burger in front of him on a plate. “I take it you met The Vultures?”
“The who?” Camden’s question snaps me out of it, and I snigger.
“That’s what I call them. Kaitlyn, Nicole, and Heather. They’ve lived here their whole lives, as well as their parents, grandparents, and so on.”
“Ahh. I see.” I know the type. Walter and Georgia were the type as well. They think that since they have old money, a recognizable last name, and a fake body, they can do whatever they want and say whatever they want. There usually aren’t consequences for people like them.
“Yeah,” Camden says with a sad smile. “They come almost every day for lunch, and flirt with Knox and Griffin.”
“Good to know,” I comment.
I turn back to the door and sigh. Flipping back around, I inform Camden, “I didn’t get their orders, and I don’t think I can go back out there and ask.”
Camden laughs at my situation. “I got you, girl. They order the same thing every time.”
I place my hands together in front of me like I’m praying. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! Any chance I can hide in here until their food is done?”
“Oof. You could, but Knox will probably come looking and drag you out himself.”
My heartbeat picks up at the thought of Knox putting his hands on me.
A tempting thought.
Sighing again, I admit, “You’re right. And that’s not a good way to impress the boss.” I give Camden a mock salute and push myself out the door.
Kaitlyn and her group don’t notice my entry, and I spot the three drinks in front of them. A grain of guilt pokes at me, realizing that Knox served them when he had asked me to take care of it.
Knox is filling a few glasses with beer behind the bar, and I head straight for him.
“Hey. Sorry about?—”
