“Don’t call me babe, I’m not a pig. Besides, Rachel’s new here, she doesn’t know her way around yet. I just wanted to make sure she didn’t walk by.”
Rachel laughed, though she hunched her shoulders slightly. She knew everyone at this table, but she didn’t really belong. In her office, with her clients, she felt safe, competent and prepared. But here, her opinion didn’t count so much, while the others’ weighed more heavily. “I’m new, not blind. But thank you so much,” she said, trying to be polite, and sat between her sister and Hailey, who was bent over her phone with a worried expression. “Everything okay?” Rachel asked cautiously.
“Yeah. It’s just the live feed from the security camera I installed in our office,” she answered absentmindedly. “I want to make sure Eggsy isn’t being mean to Scotland-Beard. She gets a bit territorial in our office.”
“Scotland-Beard is the goat?” Rachel guessed.
“Yes, because he’s so curious and has a nice beard,” Hailey explained matter-of-factly.
Matt grinned and shook his head. “That you even had to ask, Rachel.”
She smiled uncertainly. She liked Matt. He was easy to be around. Maddie couldn’t have chosen better.
“Having Scotland-Beard living in our office isn’t a permanent solution, Hailey,” Maddie stated somberly. “We’re a dating agency, not an animal sanctuary.”
“Well, we pay rent for the dayandnight. It only seems logical to me that someone should be there day and night,” she declared sanctimoniously. “Besides, Scotland-Beard uses the litter box, so don’t worry. Well, except when someone leaves their shoes in the office. Then he poops in them.” She waved a hand. “It seems everyone has their preferences.”
“Oh yeah,” Matt said dryly, “I prefer pooping in rubber boots. But only red ones. Otherwise, it would be silly.”
Maddie snorted and Rachel smiled broadly. She still felt like the new kid in school who had to find her clique — but, in her opinion, she’d found the coolest table right away.
Hailey sighed. “Hey, Matt, you guys don’t happen to want to open a petting zoo at your stadium?”
“What sports team doesn’t?” Matt replied lightly. “But I’m just a small-time player. I don’t decide anything except which rookie gets his head shaved next. Just ask the big boss.” He grinned and pointed to the man at Connor’s table who preferred the brown folder to human interaction. “The owner of the L.A.Hawks is sitting up front with Jesus Quiztus’ Lawyers. This is your chance.”
Ah, so not a lawyer after all, but the owner of a hockey team…who had probably gone to law school. That mattered; her cacti were safe.
A pretty waitress with a red apron, black afro, gold earrings, and a loaded tray in her hand moved in front of Rachel, blocking her view, thus depriving her of the chance to continue psychoanalyzing from afar.
“So, a Tequila Sunrise for Maddie, but instead of orange juice, it’s with maté, so let’s call it theheart attack,” the waitress said lightly. “A beer for your boring hockey fiancé. Something with milk, but the vegan kind, so technically not milk at all, for Hailey… And what would you like?” She smiled at Rachel.
“Um, I…”
“We must warn you,” Hailey interrupted hastily. “That’s a loaded question. Tara will ask you what you want once, and if you become a regular, she’ll bring it to you without you ordering it. So, with your answer, you’re setting the tone for the rest of your life.”
Tara rolled her eyes. “Don’t listen to her. It’s only for the next thirty-five years; I’ll retire someday. And if you tip me a million dollars, the drink is only for today.”
Rachel laughed. “Sorry, I gave my last million to my pizza guy, but I’d ask Matt.”
Matt shook his head stoically. “No way. If I give you one, they’ll all want one.”
“I’m devastated,” Tara replied dramatically. “But fine. Your drink order is enough for me, um…” She narrowed her eyes. “What’s your name again?”
“I’m Rachel and…”
“No!” Tara’s mouth fell open. “You'reRachel? The one who upset Connor so badly that he made the stupidest bet in thehistory of all bets — including me betting my cat yesterday that I'd only eat one piece of chocolate?” Her eyes shone like two balls of uranium. “Man, nice to meet you. Under the circumstances, the first drink is on the house! I’m your judge, by the way. I’m so happy.” Grinning, she leaned over and hugged her.
“Um, thanks?” A little overwhelmed, Rachel patted her back. She wasn’t used to people being so…warm and open. “But I don’t quite understand. You’re happy that I upset him? Aren’t you friends?”
“Oh, yeah. Connor is one of my best friends. What does that have to do with anything?” She laughed brightly. “It’s just that Connor gets upset easily. He also calms down rather quickly. Except when you put ice cubes in whiskey or someone insults Ada.” She frowned. “Well, you managed to keep him angry, even a day later, and forced him into a rash decision. A stupid, spur-of-the-moment bet like that is completely out of character for Connor! We’re all going to have a lot of fun teasing him.” She glanced over her shoulder surreptitiously. “Cian – that’s the man who’s been staring at you super conspicuously! – is your biggest fan. The only reason he didn’t bring you flowers is because he’s been Connor’s best friend for fifteen years, and he reckons he has to show loyalty. But Izzie… Oh yeah, she’s coming over.” She nodded at the violet-haired woman who had been sitting at Connor’s table, who was now approaching them, and clearly considered greetings a monumental waste of time.
“You’re a little crazy, aren’t you?” she asked crisply with her arms crossed in front of her slim body. “Maddie always talked about how smart and elegant you were, not how crazy.”
Rachel blinked, puzzled. “I’m elegant?”
“Oh yeah.” Maddie nodded. “Even in Crocs, I would have put you in Vogue.”
She rolled her eyes. Her sister was silly. “I’m not crazy. Connor went too far, so I put him in his place.”
