Page 67 of Rastor

Best of all, she was smiling back. She was still smiling when she asked, "What are you so happy about?"

I could've said a million things. I was happy because I loved her. I was happy because the look in her eyes told me she loved me too. I was happy to have a second chance. And hey, if that chance involved checking out her belly button, who was I to complain?

I leaned closer and said, "You didn't say I couldn't check,ever. You just said I couldn’t checknow."

Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were sparkling. She was leaning closer too. In a voice filled mischief, she said, "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

Instantly, the blood went straight to my groin. I glanced down at the table. It looked pretty sturdy. I wanted to shove aside the dishes and show her lots of things, right here, right now.

But we weren't alone. So all I said was, "Promise?"

She gave a happy nod. "Promise."

Before we left, I leaned in close, ignoring the dirty plates and empty glasses. "Tell me something."

Her gaze was locked on mine, and when she answered, her voice was almost breathless. "What?"

"Are you still my girl?"

She was smiling again. When she nodded yes, I couldn’t stop myself. I practically dove across the table and wrapped my arms tight around her. People were staring. I didn't care. I pulled her close and spoke into her ear. "Baby, I promise you. You're not gonna regret this."

As for me, I had two regrets. One, she had to work tonight. Two, I was flying to Vegas first thing tomorrow morning.

But those regrets were nothing. When I returned, things were going to be different. Chloe and I would have a new start, and this time, I'd make sure to do things right.

Driving back from the restaurant, I still couldn't stop smiling, and I didn't bother to hide it. But just before we pulled into Chloe's driveway, she told me something thatdidn'tmake me happy.

Chapter 31

I pulled into her driveway and stopped the car. From the driver's seat, I turned to look at her. "What'd you just say?"

Chloe gave a weak laugh. "From the look on your face, I think you heard me just fine."

Ididhear her. I just didn't want to believe it. "Are you serious?"

"Yup." Chloe sighed. "She starts tonight actually."

I leaned back in my seat and muttered, "I'm gonna kill her."

Theherwas Brittney. Somehow, she'd gotten herself hired as a waitress where Chloe worked.

I'd been to that restaurant. The waitresses were all insanely beautiful, and did more than simply deliver food and drinks. They had attitude and flaunted it by teasing the customers with mock bad service that somehow, managed to still be pretty good.

Supposedly, it was harder than hell to get hired there. How had Brittney done it so fast?

But then I recalled something Chloe had mentioned during Brittney's failed apology attempt – something about Brittney boning Chloe's boss in the parking lot.

Well, that was one way to get hired.

Chloe lowered her voice to a mock whisper. "When you kill her, can I help?"

Obviously, she was kidding. But I wasn't, not that I was planning to kill her or anything. But one way or another, I'd handle this – I hesitated – assuming that's what Chloe wanted.

Thanks to my other mistakes, I was walking on egg shells and didn't want to screw up anything else. So I did the polite thing and asked, "You want me to take care of it?"

Chloe gave me a doubtful look. "How?"

I shrugged. "However." If nothing else, I could always bribe her.