Page 12 of Brandt's Rule

“Girl, please.” Bailey leaned forward and laid a hand on Tempest’s hand. “I’ll tell you a secret. I have my eye on another one. I’m just a flirt. But really, there’s one in particular in town that I really, really like. Always have. I still hope that one day he’ll notice me. It’s foolish, but we have to hope for something, right?”

“Good evening, ladies. I’m Jonah, and I’ll be your server tonight. What can I get you?”

“Do you like cheese?” Bailey asked.

“Yes.”

“You want a burger?” Bailey asked.

“Oh, yes. How could I get anything else after the way you described it?”

“We’ll take two burgers, two orders of onion rings, and I’ll have a chocolate shake. Tempest, what do you want to drink?”

“I’ll have the same, chocolate shake. My grand papa always said if anybody offers you chocolate take it,” Tempest said with a smile.

“It’ll be just a few minutes,” Jonah said, smiling as he hurried toward the kitchen to put in their order.

“Do you know the boy that just took our order?”

“Jonah? Not personally. But his dad owns this place. And that construction company I told you about, where I think your friend might work… somehow the family that owns this place, is related to the people that own that, too. Speaking of. Did you find out if your friend is the same guy I was thinking of?”

“No, I didn’t get to see him, but I spoke to the men at the building site today. They said they’d find out if anyone knows of the man I’m looking for.”

“They probably just want to ask him if he minds if they tell you where to find him.”

“I agree.”

“Here you are ladies,” a much older version of their waiter, said, delivering their order to their table. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

“Ketchup. Lots and lots of ketchup!” Bailey said.

The man walked over to a nearby table and picked up a squeeze bottle of ketchup, bringing it back and handing it to her. “You work at the coffee shop, don’t you?” he asked.

“Yes, sir. I do. I’m Bailey, and this is my friend, Tempest. I went to school with Christian.”

“Okay. I thought you looked familiar.” Then he looked Tempest in the eyes, and Tempest stared right back, letting him see that she knew exactly what he was, a Lion shifter. “Hello, Tempest. I’m Vince.”

“The maker of the best hamburger,” Tempest said.

Vince laughed. “That’s what I’m told. Are you new in town?”

“I am. I just arrived this morning.”

“Oh? Welcome. Did your family come with you? Starting out in a new place?”

“No. They didn’t. They’re back home. It’s just me. Striking out on my own to find my own place.”

“I’ve been there. It can be very exciting. If you have any questions, or have trouble finding a job, let me know. I have connections with several places in town and might be able to help you settle in,” Vince said. Jonah had been right. She was Dragon, but she was something else, too, that he couldn’t quite identify.

“I appreciate that. If I stay long enough to find employment, I’ll let you know.”

“Enjoy your meal ladies,” Vince said, smiling at them as he turned to leave them in peace to eat their food.

“He’s attractive,” Tempest said nonchalantly as she lifted her burger and took a bite.

“He’s Jonah’s Dad. And I went to school with his oldest son, Christian.”

Tempest looked up with an intense expression on her face and lifted her burger just slightly as she chewed.

---