“Mhmm.” She nodded, “You heard me.”
“Thank God, they didn’t let you assign road names.” I shook my head and snatched the receipt when the machine finally spat it out.
“Mhmm. So, where are we really going Mr. KoT?”
I hooked my hand around her hip and hauled her against me. The little squeal that clipped from her left me smiling against her lips as I tried to shush her.
“I told you, lunch at the casino.”
I took her hand and led her back to the bike.
She hopped on and we made the short journey along the river until we arrived at the casino and hotel. I parked closer to the boat, since I wasn’t sure of our plans just yet. The signs out front listed Ray’s Catch as having seafood broil, while another mentioned a place called the Taste Shack with gyros and all you could eat wings.
I led her into the lobby and slowed before asking, “What kind of girl are you?”
She leaned into me before whispering back, “The kind that would have been grateful for a drive-thru or a bag of chips.”
I snorted, hooked her pinkie with mine and led the way toward the wings.
“Just you two?” a girl in crisp black slacks asked when we entered.
“Yeah.”
“Excellent. Table or booth?”
“Booth,” I answered, almost before she could finish the question.
When we arrived at the cozy, red-leathered booth, I glanced at Crystal and tipped my head, “You first, I’m not having a repeat of the Waffle Spot.”
Color tingled her cheeks and she fought a smile as she scooted across the bench. I sat down beside her, trapping her in the corner before I finally gave my attention to the waitress.
“I’ll have a sweet tea.”
“Sounds good to me,” Crystal seconded, when the lady looked her way.
“Great, I'll be right back with those,” the server announced, before offering each of us a menu.
“How did you know they’d have a restaurant here? Is this your usual scheme, swoop chicks up and steal them away to the casino?”
I grinned and studied her before shaking my head, “Nah, my Aunt Daisy likes to come up this way for book-convention-type things. She used to make me and my brother come with her when we were younger.”
“You’re close with your aunt? That’s nice. I don’t really know any of my mom’s people.”
“Close–” I tipped my head, “She’s closer with my brother, really. I tend to disappoint her if we’re being honest. All her hopes of seeing one of us past the clutches of our father’s sins and club are now firmly invested in my younger brother, Eric. He’s off in the military.”
“Eric Aviston,” his name fell from her lips, and for the first time in my life, I was jealous of my little brother.
Before I could say a word, the waitress was back. “Do you guys need a few minutes?”
“No.” Crystal shook her pretty head and pointed to her menu. “Could I have ranch with the cauliflower wings?”
“You bet.” The lady nodded. “Anything else?”
“Hm… What is the soup of the day?”
“Stuffed Pepper soup.”
“That sounds good, I’ll have that also.”
