It’s crowded at the bar.
“Let’s find a table. Come on.” Keno takes my hand and leads me through the crowd. There’s a bunch of tables pushed together to the side of the big room, and with a jerk of his chin, the people sitting there clear out, taking their drinks with them.
Keno takes a seat at the end, pulling a chair out for me to sit next to him.
“Why did they do that?” I lean to whisper.
“Because I’m a Royal Bastard and they’re just a bunch of hang-arounds.” Then he motions over a prospect from behind the bar, who hurries over.
“Yes, sir?”
“Get us some drinks. What do you want, Maggie?”
“Um.” I hesitate, wondering what mixers they have.
“What’s your favorite drink?” Keno asks.
I look at the prospect. “Do you think I could get a Tequila Sunrise?”
The prospect leans his hands to his knees, dipping his head to hear me. “What’s in it?”
He looks about twenty, and I’m not surprised I have to explain it. “Tequila, orange juice, and grenadine.”
The kid taps out a note into his phone of everything I tell him.
Keno grabs the kid’s sleeve in his fist. “If you don’t have all that, go get it. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
Rock stops by our table, his eyes hitting me. “Thanks for coming, Maggie. And thanks for going to all the trouble of dressing up so pretty. I don’t think I’ve ever properly introduced you to my ol’ lady.” He turns and motions over the crowd’s heads. A moment later, she makes her way to his side.
She’s beautiful in a satin red mini dress and heels.
“Evelyn, this is Maggie from the Gaslight Pub. Maggie, Evelyn.”
She extends her hand, and I take it.
“Happy birthday. You look beautiful,” I say.
“So do you. I love that dress.” She slides in the seat next to me, and Rock takes a chair next to Keno.
“I’m so glad you could come,” Evelyn says. “We definitely have to get together. The girls are taking me out tomorrow for lunch. You must join us.”
I glance at Keno and Rock, then back to her. I wasn’t expecting this. “Um, sure. That would be lovely.”
Rock takes her hand. “Come on, babe. Your father just arrived.”
They move off toward the door.
“Well, she sure took to you,” Keno says with a grin.
“Are you pleased?” I ask.
“Definitely. Can I let you in on a secret?”
My brows lift. “Sure.”
“Today’s my birthday, too.”
