Page 90 of For the Sub

Brandy grabbed her porcelain mug as if it were a life preserver.

“If you’re new to the lifestyle and curious about it, I’d be happy to provide you both with some instruction. Or maybe Brandy could.”

“I’m dying over here, in case either of you care.” Brandy shook her head, relaxing a little.

Master Niles could hold his own against Margot. Maybe she shouldn’t have doubted him.

“I don’t trust you,” Margot continued.

“You don’t have to,” Master Niles replied, looking directly at her. “The only opinion that counts is Brandy’s.”

“Well said,” Brandy agreed.

Scowling, she looked at her friend and jerked her head toward the cash register. “Don’t you have work to do?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“And why don’t you make yourself useful and take our order?”

Before Margot could respond to Brandy’s comment, Niles said, “I’ll try your award-winning pecan waffles. With bacon and two eggs, poached.”

Margot nodded.

“Eggs Benedict,” Brandy added.

Once Margot left the table, with another furious frown at Niles, Brandy continued, “Please accept my apologies. I had no idea she was like this.”

“I knew what I was in for.”

“So why did you insist we come?”

“For you.”

“For me?”

“John and Margot mean a great deal to you. Even though I’m sure John tried to convince her I’m not a jerk, she had to challenge me and let me know that you’re loved and cared for. I respect that.”

You did it for me?

Their server splashed fresh coffee into their cups and moved on to the next table without pausing.

“So coming here… Is this part of your bribe, hoping to get me to go to the fundraiser?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Is it working?”

“You’re impossible, Sir.”

With a smile, he acknowledged her with his cup.

The dining room grew noisier as more people showed up.

Within fifteen minutes, the restaurant had a line out the door, which was good because that meant Margot was occupied at the cash register and had to mind her own business.

Even John was too busy to leave the kitchen to say hello.

A moose wandered by in the distance, and patrons crowded against the windows to watch it. Dozens of cell phones were whipped out for pictures. Since one young couple was nearby, Master Niles asked them to take a photo of Brandy and him.

They leaned close, touching their heads together.

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