Page 11 of Serving the Maestro

“You wanna bail?” Cam finished washing her hands before dropping her purse on the counter and digging inside.

“Yes.” Just the thought of spending another thirty minutes with him was enough to kill my appetite. “If I didn’t know and love Danny, I’d seriously be questioning your taste in men right about now.”

“I am seriously questioning my taste right now.” She made a face at her reflection as she leaned forward over the sink, only to stop and cover her rounded belly. “You are making it hard to keep up with the daily beauty routine, babydoll.”

“Leave my godchild alone.” I stuck out my tongue.

She laughed and checked her makeup despite the baby bump. Her laughter faded as her gaze came to mine. “Seriously, Jazz. I’m sorry. I’ve met Burton several times, and I’ve never seen him act like a sleaze until today.”

“Danny’s presence probably helped some there.” Lifting a shoulder in a shrug, I dropped my makeup mirror back into my small bag and turned to her. “It’s all good. And now I have something to hang over you the next time you try to hook me up with somebody.”

Her cheeks colored. “So, if you want to bail, we’ll grab the server on our way back, tell him to box up your food.”

“You don’t mind?” I hesitated, not liking the idea of leaving her in the lurch.

“Nope.” With a thin smile, she said, “I’m fine with it—and I’m going to tell Danny why you bailed, so if he wants to knock some sense into Burton, later on, he can.”

“Geez.” I rolled my eyes. “No need to have him get physical about anything.”

“But he’s so much fun when he gets...physical.” She batted her lashes at me.

“No.” Turning away, I covered my ears with my hands. “I can’t hear you.”

She laughed and came up from behind and hugged me. “Love you, Jazz.”

I squeezed her hands. “Love you, too. Now, let's go hunt down that server.”

Burton was done with his first drink and possibly into his third by the time we got back to the table. He gave me a look, eyes bleary but smiled.

He said, loudly, “You two sure do have to piss a lot. Or are you doing something else in there?”

“Burton.” Danny’s voice came out hard.

Burton swiveled his head around and blinked. “Aw, fuck, man...issa fuckin’ joke, dude,” he said, laughing and smacking the table. “Unless you think your wegnant pife—your pregnant wife—is getting her rocks off in the shitter.”

Cam’s face went a hot shade of pink, her eyes flashing with anger.

“Ma’am.”

I saw the server, my food already boxed up and tucked into a bag stamped with the restaurant’s logo. “Thank you.”

“Tell the kitchen to cancel the dessert orders,” Cam said, catching the server’s attention. “And hold on...here.”

The server frowned but glanced past us to Burton, his mouth going tight. “Should I get the manager?”

“Up to you,” Cam said. “He’s not leaving with us. Don’t cancel his food, by the way—the cash should cover my friend’s meal, our drinks, and your tip.” She shoved it into the man’s hand. “He’s paying for his. Danny?”

Danny had been sitting close enough to follow the conversation and was already on his feet. He stroked a hand down Cam’s back and looked from her to me. “Everything okay?”

“Since I’m going home now,” I said with a bright smile. “Yes.”

“Hey!” Burton called out as I turned and started for the door.

I didn’t look back, and soon, I was outside in the cold night air, the snow still gently falling.

The weather wasn’t enough to slow New York City traffic, though, and damn, was I glad. Waving down a taxi, I told myself to put the night out of my head. I would enjoy what was left of the evening, have a glass of wine, my meal, and pretend I’d never met a sexist ass named Burton.

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