Page 106 of Always Be an Us

"Ah. That we can do. Rick catches pike this time of the year. He can make it into a kick-ass salad for you."

"I look forward to it," she says, and I lead the crew down to the Tiki Bar.

I open the door, and the din of conversation quickly envelops us. There are about half a dozen people in here, mostly regulars, and I mentally scan their table items as Cross shuts the door behind us, blocking out the breeze and confining us in the toasty warmth of the indoors.

The combined orders don’t even sum up to two hundred dollars.The bar isn’t doing any better lately.

Lou and Rick are by the counter engaged in a discussion when we arrive. It must have gotten heated at some point because Lou is gesturing around wildly, and Rick is sighing with exasperation.

Poppy is a few tables away watching them, but then her eyes flicker to me when I walk in with Amelia and Rachel. Her eyebrows furrow slightly, and the corners of her lips sink into her cheeks. She's not pleased.

Oh.

The last time she saw me, I was with Declan and now I'm hanging out with his daughter. She's made no secret that she considers Declan her enemy. I wonder if she sees my association with them as a betrayal.

I hope not.

Regardless, I stick up my hand and wave.

She nods back and turns her attention back to Rick and Lou.

"Let’s sit here." I point the crew to a table big enough to accommodate all five of us. Nevertheless, as Rachel and Amelia take their seats, the bodyguards hang back and sit two tables away, still keeping us in sight.

I raise an eyebrow at them. "You guys don’t want to sit with us?"

Cross smiles. "Nah, we’re good here."

"It would be better if you ignored us and pretended like we weren’t there," Monty adds wryly.

"Oh," I say, fidgeting with my fingers. "Is that how this usually works?"

He nods. "Yup. You’re really only supposed to acknowledge us when you’re in danger."

"Oh." That feels a little mean, but maybe that's what they prefer. This is probably as awkward for them as it is for me.

"Okay then. Order whatever you want. The burgers here are good, but don't get anything with a fancy name."

"Roger that," Cross says but they make no move to reach for the menu, making it clear they don't intend to order anything. I shake my head. Stubborn men.

When I slide into my seat, Amelia and Rachel are already glancing through the menu.

"You guys can let me know what you want," I say. "I'll go put it in."

"They don't have servers here?" Rachel asks.

"Well," I blush. "Technically, I am the server. I haven't been at work for a while because of...personal stuff I've been dealing with. But since most of everyone here is a regular, they usually just go up and tell Yule or Rick what they want."

"Wait, you work here?" Amelia asks.

"Yeah. My Grandpa and Rick own the restaurant." I wink at her. "I'll tell them to make your order especially well."

"Ok. Then I want the best medium burger they have."

"You got it." I ruffle her hair gently as I exit the booth. On my way to the kitchen, I walk past Rick and Lou and neither of them acknowledge me. Curiosity sinks in but I don't want to interrupt their conversation to find out what they're talking about.

The kitchen is still and quiet, with Yule lounging on a stool near the sink scrolling onto his phone. It also smells a little spicy, which means that Mrs. Peach must have stopped by and ordered her usual curry.

Yule looks up in alarm when I walk in.

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