If she indulged too often, she’d have to deal with the consequences of unhealthy eating. Pretending to share a great secret, she put a hand to her mouth and whispered, “Just don’t tell Liz.” Callie’s mother had more than her fair share of opinions on everything.
Folding his arms on the tabletop and leaning in, Kam said just as quietly, “Or, you could tell Liz to mind her own business.”
Shocking. Never in a million years would she do that. “Liz means well. She always has my best interests at heart.”
Kam didn’t bother to hide his doubt. “If you say so.”
In a bid to change the subject, Glory pushed her empty plate aside and got serious. “You said we need to do some planning?”
“We do.” Full of grave concern, he reached across the table and took her hands. “I think Mike hoped to find you alone, convince you to let him help with the tow truck driver, and then you’d have to give him your address.”
Just the thought of that had her grip tightening on his. It was so nice of him to lend her some of his strength.
It’d be nicer still if she could find her own store of fortitude. “If that’s true, then you don’t think it was him who broke my window?”
“Didn’t say that.”
“Then...”
“He’d have been cleared of the window, able to say he’d only just learned your address.”
She hadn’t thought of that.
“Good old Mike would look all benevolent and shit, caring only for your well-being, only wanting to help.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Just how far would Mike go? The fact that she questioned it scared her. The idea of being alone at night bothered her even more.
Maybe staying with Addie wasn’t such a horrid idea—except that she didn’t want to bring trouble to anyone else. “I’ve considered calling the police, but I don’t know what good it would do me. Mike hasn’t actually done anything—at least nothing I can prove.”
When Kam’s thumbs moved over her knuckles, she realized they were just sitting there, holding hands, and half the diner was glancing at them.
“We’ve been putting on spectacles all day it seems.”
His mouth hitched. “Ed and Ted have sure taken notice.”
“Ed?”
“Ted’s brother, the cook.”
Oh.She looked toward the kitchen, and sure enough, the two brothers stood there, on opposite sides of a serving wall, gossiping.
“Come on.” Abruptly, Kam slid out of the booth. “Let’s get out of here. I think the rest of what I need to say will be better said in private.”
“Okay, sure.” What did he have to say? Glory opened her purse to get money for a tip, then slipped the bills halfway under her plate.
They had to go to the corner counter to pay, and Ed himself came strutting out. “How was your burger?”
“Delicious, thank you.”
“And those fries?”
“It was all wonderful. Next time I’m in, I want to try the club sandwich.”
Beaming, Ed leaned close and confided, “I have a special sauce. Top secret. It’s so good, you’ll like it more than—”
“Damn, Ed.” Kam stationed himself in front of Glory, as if to shield her from the jest. “Curb it, will you?”
Ed drew back. “None of your other girls minded a little raunchy joking.” He slanted a look at Glory. “She’s not like the others?”
