"Smart girl," Patty said."Shows you've got grit."
Baddy hid a smirk behind his mug.Grit was one word for it.Determined as hell was another.
Patty kept the conversation going, talking about availability, reliability, and whether Lydia could handle the breakfast rush.Lydia answered every question honestly, even when her voice wavered.
Baddy learned more about Lydia in ten minutes than he had in the last two days.
She'd been working since she was sixteen.
She'd never taken a day off, even when sick.
She'd never been fired.
She'd never been late.
She'd never had anyone to rely on, even her own mother, who always chose her boyfriend over her daughter.
Patty finally stood."Alright.I'll give you a trial shift tomorrow morning.Look at what the other waitresses are wearing and try to show up ready to work.Six a.m.sharp.Don't be late."
Lydia blinked, stunned."I—I won't.Thank you."
Patty waved her off."Don't thank me yet.Wait until you survive the breakfast crowd."
Baddy chuckled into his coffee, knowing half the members of Royalla usually stopped in and had breakfast before going to work.
Patty stood and moved over to Baddy, squeezing his shoulder."And you," she said, pointing a finger at him, "don't scare the girl off.She's got potential."
He lifted his fork."Good pie."
"Of course it is, baby."Patty kissed his cheek.
Lydia studied him, cheeks flushed from the interview, eyes bright with hope.He wanted her not to worry.Things would work out.
She had no support system.Fuck knows, Cusclan wasn't any help either.She needed people who would lift her up and show her how strong she was for doing things at twenty years old that many people twice her age weren't even trying.
She was surviving, and for now, he'd make sure she remained safe, and there was no blowback from the Cusclan Motorcycle Club.
He stepped away and motioned for Patty to follow him.He put his arm around her and lowered his voice.
"Do you still have that empty room above the diner?"he asked.
"You know I do."Patty's gaze narrowed."You want me to put the girl up?"
"Yeah."
Patty sighed and patted his chest."You better not put me in the middle of your biker shit.If someone shows up, causing trouble—"
"Nothing will happen."He kissed her cheek."She's down on her luck and needs to get her feet back under her, and right now, staying with me scares her."
"You?"Patty softened."You're like a big teddy bear."
He grunted.
Patty laughed."I'll do it.For you."
For how much of a hardass she was in business, she had a soft spot for the girls she kept employed.She wouldn't treat Lydia any differently from the others.In return, Lydia would have a mother figure around to keep an eye on her.
"Thanks, Patty."He stepped away and led Lydia outside.
