She and Calder had spent most of the night searching through the castle, but hadn’t found any hint of another clue. She hoped the others in her crew had better luck.
The restaurant was busy. Taking a seat at the counter, she ordered two burgers and fries to go. When she finished ordering, she absently looked around the restaurant, seeing a couple arguing in one of the booths.
Recognizing the woman as Gavin’s ex-fiancée, she saw that the meeting in Gavin’s room hadn’t just taken a toll on him. Taylor was sobbing into a man’s shoulder as those sitting near them nosily looked on.
When he managed to calm her, he stood and went into the restroom.
Crazy Bitch was about to get off her stool to approach her when she saw the bitch’s face. Any sympathy she had for the woman died.
The bitch had reached inside her purse and checked her makeup with an expression that she had seen on too many women’s face.
She wasn’t surprised when she saw Taylor hastily put the mirror back inside her purse and her lovely eyes once again swam with tears when her husband came out of the bathroom.
Crazy Bitch swung back on her stool. “Fuck me.”
“Pardon me?” the waitress asked, setting the bag of food down in front of her.
“Nothing.” She stood, throwing a twenty down on the counter. “Keep the change.”
“Wow, a whole dollar. You sure you don’t need it more than I do?”
She was angry at herself that she had her mind on what was going on back in Gavin’s room that she hadn’t paid attention to the total of the ticket. As a woman who worked hard for her tip money, she always made sure she gave a good tip. On the other hand, when her customers didn’t tip well, she didn’t get in their faces.
“Now that you mention it, I do.” She patiently held out her hand for the dollar, glad her food was already bagged and in her other hand.
Taking the dollar that was thrown down on the counter, she reached into her back pocket and took out her wad of pocket money. She took out a ten and two more twenties, handing the bills back to her waitress.
“The ten is for you. The twenties are to pay for Pollyanna’s lunch over there in the green top. Tell her that was the best performance I’ve ever witnessed.”
Crazy Bitch found Peyton still sitting where she had left her. Taking out her hamburger, she ate it, still fuming.
Women like Taylor made her ashamed to be a woman. She was willing to bet a thousand dollars that, when Taylor had found out Gavin was missing, she had soaked up all the attention she could, and when she couldn’t get anymore, she had married the sucker who had been sitting next to her in the booth. Now, with Gavin returned, she had waited until she couldn’t hold it over the poor sap she was married to anymore, turning the screws until she was ready to put him out of his misery by seeing Gavin.
Gavin would see that bitch again; she would put bank on it. She hoped she was wrong, sweet Jesus, she hoped she was wrong, but experience breeds contempt.
Her mother had shed the same crocodile tears every time she had wanted something. She had watched her cry fake tears every time she had lost custody of her, or one of her lovers had gotten tired of being used for their money. Even their landlords had been treated to them when they had threatened to evict her.
Taylor had the same scheming expression as her mother when her husband had gone to the bathroom. Crazy Bitch could sniff out a fraud five hundred miles away, but she had missed the scent outside of Gavin’s door because it had been too hard to watch.
She mentally gave Taylor one point by getting her once. Now she was on her scent. She never involved herself in anyone’s personal business, but if the bitch showed up again, she would make sure to introduce herself.
Calming herself, she opened the bag and started eating the burger she had bought for Calder. She always ate when she was mad. It was easier to deal with losing five pounds versus letting the fury that was simmering below her surface out.
“I thought you were saving that for Calder?”
“It’s cold now; no need wasting money.” She looked at Peyton as she took another bite of the burger.
“How many hamburger patties are on it?”
“Three.”
“That’s the same as the one you just ate?”
“So?” She opened the bag again, taking out his fries. “I eat when I’m upset, okay?”
“I tend to eat when I’m upset, too, but I don’t eat the whole cow.”
“I already planned to eat salads for a week to make up the five pounds I’m going to gain.”