Austin’s nostrils flared and his jaw was clenched – she could practically hear his teeth grinding – but he nodded in silence.
Claudia – bless her heart – clapped her hands with a bright smile. “Muy bien. Food is ready. Raccoons, we’re going to sit all the way over there.” She indicated a table on the far side of the restaurant. “And I assume I don’t need to summon Abuelita?” She leveled the Raccoons with a stare so hard Kenzie was sure even the Snow Pirates balls collectively withered.
Claudia was her new favorite, and they were going to leave her one hell of a freakin’ tip.
Artemis gestured to a nearby table with a jerk of his head. “We’ll sit there, Cloudy.” He held up his hands. “No trouble. Promise.”
Claudia’s frown pinched deeper at the nickname, and she didn’t seem at all convinced that the boys could be trusted. “There better not be, or I’ll put itching powder in your skates and go buy a Snow Pirates shirt for the game tomorrow.”
Apollo covered his heart with both hands and gasped theatrically. “You wouldn’t.”
She folded her arms and the edge of her mouth pulled up in a challenging smile. “Try me.”
Ares and Theo were still locked in a silent battle of the angry smolder as his brothers led him to their table.
The Snow Pirates retook their seats as three servers appeared with trays of food.
“I promise no one spat in your food.” Claudia winked at Kenzie, who couldn’t help but grin in return. “This time at least. Don’t push it though, sí?”
Somber heads nodded back at her, and food started disappearing from the plates before they’d even hit the table. Kenzie had a taco halfway to her mouth when a paler than usual Molly mumbled something about the bathroom and excused herself from the table.
Kenzie moved the taco closer to her mouth, pausing at the expectant raise of Austin’s brows in her periphery. How could a man be so communicative without even opening his damn mouth?
She glanced at the taco, then back to Austin. Sighing, she put the taco back onto her plate and gave it a stroke. “I’ll be back, Beautiful. Don’t go anywhere.”
Austin grabbed her hand as she passed his side of the table and gave it a squeeze she felt throughout her entire body.
Molly stood at the sinks, staring herself down in the mirror when Kenzie entered the restrooms. “Don’t ask.”
Kenzie held her hands up. “Don’t shoot.”
Molly’s mouth quirked upward.
The bathrooms were as brightly colored as the restaurant. Empowering phrases were painted across the mirrors and there were huge wings painted on one of the walls. “Photo op?”
Molly nodded. “This place is so fucking cool. They have quotes painted on the backs of the stall doors, and there are free period products over there.” She pointed to a basket between the sinks.
“Free?”
Another nod. “There’s also a collection box for Planned Pregnancy.” She gave a dreamy sigh. “Wonder if I could get Finn to leave the Wild and move to Cedar Rapids so I can just eat here every day.”
“I want a group picture at the giant wooden swing under the fake foliage and neonGuac ‘n Rollat the front door before we all leave.”
“It’ll be your job to make sure none of those idiots stand up on it, or play Tarzan.”
An awkward silence fell between them. “I don’t want to pry. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay, Mol. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Worse.” She chewed on the inside of her cheek. “Cheating ex.”
Kenzie’s eyes widened. “Shut the front door. A de la Hottie?”
Molly pursed her lips. “They are unfairly delicious aren’t they?”
Kenzie nodded. “Contemplating splashing cold water on my hoo-ha right now.” She groaned and her friend laughed.
“Austin messing with ya, eh?”
“The man is a freakin’ menace.”
