He'd lay next to me, listening to constant rambling until he’d found other ways to shut me up. I’d be forever thankful that he lent an ear when I needed someone to listen and for other things when I'd needed someone to stop listening. “Change the topic, please,” I blurted because my mind was going in the wrong direction, a direction that was easier and much more comfortable.
“Yes, please change the topic,” Katie announced from behind me.
I smiled as I got up to hug her. “You don't even know what we're discussing.”
“I know you two never discuss anything worth shit.”
She motioned me back into the booth and slid in as Rome nodded at her. “Kate-Bait.”
She rolled her eyes. “Asshole,” she responded in the same tone. Then she eyed our empty plate and whined, “You two already ate?”
“I invited Brey for lunch, not you.”
“Brey invited me when I texted her and she expressed extreme boredom at being alone here with you.”
“Not true,” I chimed in. They just continued death staring each other. I sighed. “Rome can't you just put in another order?”
“No. It's fine. I’m going to eat later …”
“Mindy! Put in another order for Kate-Bait. She'll do the avocado burger. Medium rare. Extra fries.” Mindy glared more laser beams full of hate at Katie while I eyed her for a whole different reason. Normally, Rome wouldn't have ordered her exactly what she wanted.
She hid her look of surprise by snapping at him, of course. “I just said I'm eating later.”
“And you'll eat now too,” Rome retorted.
“Thanks for the food, Rome. We both appreciate it.” Used to their rudeness toward one another, I opted for placating them rather than asking questions. “You finish your errands?”
“Enough of them. Still need groceries and to drop by a friend’s.”
Rome scoffed, but I didn't ask. Katie had a lot of friends. Most of them we’d never met and most we probably didn't want to. She was socially accepted in circles I didn't understand and did things socially I could never do.
Her life was hers. No one judged her. She didn't allow it.
But Rome tried.
Her gaze snapped to his when he scoffed. “Speaking of, can I use your truck today?” Her tone was just a little saccharine. “Brey and I will be going to see the kids in a day or two anyway. I'll just keep it till then …”
“Not happening.”
Just then, Mindy not so gently placed Katie's food in front of her and beelined back to the bar without saying a word.
“What's up her ass?” Katie mumbled, already digging into her food.
Then she glanced up at Rome who looked like he’d been caught red-handed. Katie’s smirk didn’t reach her eyes. “Say no more, Casanova.”
My jaw dropped. “Really, Rome? Your waitress?” I whispered. “You could get in trouble.”
“Vick and my lawyers made sure I never would when I opened this place. My contracts and handbooks make it very clear …”
“You used Vick’s law education so you could come to work, be the boss, and dip your di—”
“Katie,” I practically whined. “I am pulling the middle-ground card. Don't finish that sentence.”
She took another bite and squinted at me. With her mouth full, she said, “I hate your manners sometimes, best friend.” Then she turned to Rome, “Let me use your truck.”
“Just said that's not happening.”
“Why?”