Page 31 of Romeo & Antoinette

Benny was just standing there, trance like, eyes wide, mouth open, just staring, at Nikki.

“I dunno. Benny?”

Nothing.

“Yo… Benny?”

“Uh, yeah, fine,” said Benny snapping out of it. “Yeah. So…We leaving?”

“Why would we be leaving? Go get us a table.”

“Oh. Sure. Ok,” said Benny, stealing another glance at Nikki.

“What’s with him?” she asked.

He was staring again.

“I dunno,” said Marco, giving Benny the once over. “If I had to guess I’d say he’s smitten.” Then Marco blew in Benny’s ear. One quick puff. That did it.

“What’s up?”

“Table.”

“Yeah, right, ok.”

It took Romeo more than a quick minute to find his friends through the thick crowd. But eventually he tracked them down. They were up at the counter. One look at Nikki and he could tell just how rude Marco was being.

And then, just like that. There she was again.

Ant was behind the counter, taking money

from a three hundred pound dude in a cut off tee and a Von Dutch trucker cap.

Instantly, there were questions. Is that her? What’s she doing here? Does she work here? What’s Marco saying? Why’s that other girl look so pissed? Do I look ok? Is that really her?

Romeo watched in stunned amazement as she handed out food, took money and spoke to customers.

His mind raced. She works here? How long? Who is she?

“Ass fries!” howled Marco.

“What?” asked Ant, overhearing

“Ass fries. I hear the fries here taste like ass. Gimme an order of ass fries.”

“Just ignore him,” said Nikki. She looked around Marco and addressed the next customer. “Hi. What would you like?”

Cap came up behind them and dropped a tray. “Everything ok here?”

“Fine,” said Nikki.

He tapped the edge of one of the plates, “One-eleven.”

Ant nodded.

“Hold down the fort. I’ve got to step out.”

“Where are you going?”

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