Chapter 11

Sue distributed my and Devon’s dishes to us, thanking us for waiting patiently.

She handed Pete two of his three plates, smiling her signature smart-ass grin.

“Thanks, Susie-Q.” Pete pushed his beer aside.

“Your side of steak fries will be out shortly,” she said.

As she trundled off, Pete grabbed her hand, a band of gaudy gold bracelets jangling at the suddenness of Pete’s curtness. She looked down at Pete’s greasy hand coiling around her wrist. She pulled away.

“Don’t keep a hungry man waiting,” he said, popping two fried onion rings into his wide mouth.

Sue blew out a breath and went off to check on other customers.

“I think I spooked her,” Pete said, chewing with his mouth open, specks of breaded onion flying across the table.

We ate in silence for a few minutes until Pete looked up at me. “So, where did you two meet? How long have you known each other?”