Page 112 of Gratification in Gluttony

“I would gladly sing if it would benefit the cafe,” Zef said, and Glyma simpered.

“Thank you, Zef.”

“Toni and Jude could play a song,” Gem said, and Toni nearly choked.

“What?”

Gem stepped forward, gesturing at Toni and Jude with several of his hands. “Come on, Toni, you’re so talented. And you and Jude have been practicing music together anyway.”

“You have?” Oliver asked, but no one answered him as Gem continued.

“You two could play a song. It would be so great.” Gem clapped his upper hands together.

Glyma leveled Toni with a stern stare. “I didn’t know you could play, Toni. I mean, I love when you sing along to the radio, but I didn’t realize you were so musically inclined.”

Warmth flooded Toni’s cheeks as he shook his head. “I’m not really. It’s just for fun, you know?”

“He’s being modest,” Jude said, stepping beside him. “He’s actually really good. It would be fun to play together, don’t you think?”

“You want to?” Toni asked, and Jude nodded. “Uh, okay, I guess we could do that.”

“Well, there you go,” Glyma said, shaking Quin’s arm. “Zef could sing a song, and Jude and Toni will play. Tad could share one of her short stories.”

“There’s graphic sex and gratuitous violence,” Tad said with a grin. “The crowd will love it.”

“Maybe not—” Quin started, but Glyma was already planning.

“And Bob is really good at interpretive dance; I bet he’d love to share his talents.”

At the mention of Bob, Oliver went deathly pale.

“I write poetry,” Willow added, stepping forward shyly. “I’ve only ever shared it with Krul, but if it would help with the open microphone night.”

“Willow, that would be stupendous.” Glyma beamed at all of them, pink eyes landing on Rusty who hovered near the edge of the circle. “What about you, Rusty? Would you like to perform anything?”

“No,” Rusty said immediately. “I don’t perform.”

“No secret talents to share with the group?” Gem teased, hip-checking him.

With a glare and a flash of his middle finger, Rusty said, “Nope. Unless you count a card trick that a stripper taught me once.”

“What a lovely backstory,” Toni said dryly.

Glyma gazed adoringly at Quin. “I think it’s a wonderful idea, Quin. We already have so many talented employees, and once they get the ball rolling, the patrons will keep it going. Zef can open it up with a song, and Rusty will do his card trick.”

“Hold up, I was joking,” Rusty said, but Glyma didn’t hear him.

“Then Jude and Toni will play a lovely song for us, and Willow can share her poetry. It’ll be perfect.”

“Seriously,” Rusty said, “I wasn’t volunteer—”

“What about my short stories?” Tad demanded, and Glyma patted her bald head.

“You’ll be our reserve, in case there’s a lull.”

For some reason, Tad leveled her evil smile on Toni. “Excellent.”

On instinct, Toni covered his dicks. Tracking the movement, Tad winked at him. Like a coward, he shifted until he was half-hiding behind Jude.

---