“I, er, I added it to all of the brothers’ phones. With her working for Ava, it kind of puts her at risk, and seeing as she’d been hurt before, I want the club to know that she’s an important person to take care of. She’s my kid sister.”
Smokey pulled out his cell phone, and sure enough, there was Harlow’s name. “Right.”
“Also, there’s something else I wanted to ask about,” Big Dick said.
“Ask away.”
“Harlow being a vegan, it kind of puts a little … tension at home. I know she hates going home, and I was wondering, could she be my plus-one here? I can handle all the vegan-alternative shit. She’s my sister, and I know it can be tough going home. Our parents mean well—”
“Invite her. Ava loves her, and I want Ava to have the best Christmas.”
“Awesome. Thanks, Prez.”
****
“I think Ugly Beast is scared,” Abriana said.
Ava smiled across thetable at her friend.
Harlow snorted, and she shot her other friend a quick warning look. “Sorry, my bad. Why is Ugly Beast scared?”
“It’s Christmas. I’ve asked him if he wants me to organize the food, and he has told me not to worry. He’ll figure everything out.”
“You cooked a turkey before?” Harlow asked.
“Definecooked,” Abriana said, wincing. “It looked cooked, and I didn’t think there was any blood coming from it, but it, er, I had used one of those frozen turkeys and I didn’t realize you had to defrost it.”
Ava and Harlow both winced.
“I am so bad at this.” Abriana frowned.
“You’re not bad, you’re just not well trained.”
Harlow started to choke on her coffee, and Ava glared at her.
Abriana’s cell phone started to ring, and Ava pointed toward her office. Once the other woman was out of sight, she turned to Harlow. “What is the matter with you?”
“The matter is that girl is a disaster. Honestly, she cannot cook anything. Food is frightened of her. I swear, potatoes see hercoming and literally shrivel up. I love Abriana, but trust me, she cost me a fortune in dental care.”
“Ugly Beast paid.”
“I still had to go to the dentist. We cannot allow her to cook her own Christmas meal. I’m surprised Ugly Beast isn’t glowing with the shit she’s fed him.”
Ava tried not to laugh. The truth was, Abriana was a terrible cook. The worst kind of cook. The poor woman had the heart and desire, but nothing ever went right for her. Ava wasn’t going to give up on her. “I’ll talk to Smokey. I might prepare all of Abriana’s food in advance.”
“That sounds like a great idea.”
Harlow’s phone began to play a Christmas tune. Ava was used to Harlow’s phone changing with the seasons. At Halloween, it had a spooky tune, Thanksgiving was a classical piece.
“Er, I’ve got to take this,” Harlow said. “I’ll be right back.”
Ava glanced overand saw it saidAsshole Prezon the front.
Smokey.
Smokey was calling Harlow? That was strange.
The doorbell rang, so Ava got to her feet and headed toward the main counter. After lunch, it was always a lull. They would get a few customers up until around dinner, and then they’d sell out.