“Yes, sir?” she asked, giving James a new look of respect.
“See that my new friend Hank and his fellows have whatever they want off your excellent menu and put it on my bill,” James directed.
“Yes, sir. Of course, sir.” The waitress nodded and the bikers at the other booth clapped and cheered.
Money saves the day again, Elise thought and then mentally kicked herself for being so cynical. It wasn’t like her fiancé solved all his problems by throwing large amounts of cash at them. He was very charming too—at least, the bikers all seemed to be charmed. I used to be charmed by him too, Elise thought. What’s wrong with me today?
James smiled again and shook hands with Hank and his friend before sitting down and facing Elise once more.
“There. Disaster averted,” he muttered. “But next time, darling, could you please be a little more careful who you make eyes at? I was boxing champion at Oxford but I’d rather not have to brawl with those grubby fellows all at once if you don’t mind.”
“I wasn’t making eyes at him,” Elise protested under her breath, surprised by the sudden attack.
“Oh no? You said he reminded you of someone. Might it be that huge ugly fellow I saw beside you on the viewscreen?”
Elise felt hot blood rushing to her cheeks. “Merrick isn’t ugly!”
“Not ugly, hmm?” James raised an eyebrow. “Is it possible we’re talking about the same man? The one with mismatched eyes and a rather large, nasty scar that takes up one side of his face? Honestly, darling, I thought you’d been rescued by the Phantom of the Opera when I first saw him. All he needs is one of those white half-masks and a half decent baritone to play the part.”
“That’s not funny,” Elise bit out. “Merrick saved my life when you didn’t even know I was missing!”
“So…perhaps it’s gratitude that keeps you from seeing his rather obvious deformities,” James mused speculatively. “Or perhaps something else? A little Beauty and the Beast scenario being played out amongst the stars? I thought he seemed rather overprotective of you.”
Elise felt herself go cold and then hot all over. “Just…just what exactly are you implying, James?” she asked in a shaking voice.
She was aware that she sounded defensive but she couldn’t help herself. All her guilt over the emotional affair she’d had with the big Kindred suddenly came rushing back. Of course, she had intended to tell James everything. But now full disclosure seemed like a bad idea—a very bad idea indeed.
James gave her a penetrating look. “Nothing,” he said at last in a low voice. “Just…try to keep your eyes on the menu from now on. All right?”
“Fine.” Elise looked down at the brightly colored plastic menu, still seething. James wasn’t usually such an ass. Or maybe he was and she just hadn’t noticed before?
Just then the waitress finished taking the bikers’ orders and came up to their table. She put two glasses of ice water on their table and pulled out her tablet and a pen. “What’ll it be?”
“Coffee for me. Hot, black and in the cleanest mug you can find in this place.” James handed her the menu, tweezing it delicately between his thumb and fingertips. “That’s all I want. Thank you.”
“Of course.” The waitress nodded and looked at Elise. “And for you, ma’am?”
Elise stared at the menu blindly. Her stomach was still growling fiercely but now she was almost too angry and upset to eat. “I’ll have…”
“Do make it something light, darling, won’t you?” James asked, obviously using his most appeasing tone. “I really can’t stay long—I have to make the flight to Japan this afternoon.”
Elise gritted her teeth. Despite her hunger, she had planned on ordering something small and quick for exactly that reason. But now she felt the irrational urge to piss James off.
“That one,” she said, stabbing her finger at a large, colorful picture in the center of the menu.
“Really?” The waitress raised her obviously penciled-in eyebrows in surprise. “The lumberjack special?”
Elise nodded firmly. “Yes, absolutely.”
“Okay.” The waitress shrugged. “Don’t know where a tiny little thing like you is going to put it, though. You want bacon or sausage? And toast or hash browns?”
“All of it,” Elise said.
“All of it?” The waitress frowned.
“Darling…” James gave her an annoyed look which she ignored.
“All of it,” she repeated. “I want bacon and sausage and toast and hash browns.” She smiled at the waitress sweetly. “Please.”