I nod, but before we can move forward, Mr. O’Malley steps into our path and takes the menus from the teenager, who stares at him, wide-eyed. “They won’t be needing a seat, Veronica.”
Someone comes in behind us, and the teenager cautiously moves away to help the new customer.
O’Malley tosses the menus back to the hostess stand. To me, he says, “Go on. You’re not welcome here.”
“I’m sorry?” Anger and hurt flare. “Mr. O’Malley, I’ve been coming here since I was ten.”
“Not anymore.” Mr. O’Malley places one hand on the hostess stand and blocks the path into the restaurant with his body. “We have the right to refuse service to anyone. You’re anyone.”
Chloe steps forward. “Hi, Mr. O’Malley. I’m Chloe, and this is KT,” she says with a smile so bright, it reminds me of a sunflower. “I’ve been hearing about your pub since we got into town
, and I knew this was where we should have our special dinner.”
O’Malley lifts his chin toward Chloe. “You two can go in. Not her.”
Ire is wafting off KT, standing beside me. “If he’s going to be a prick,” she says, staring right at O’Malley, “let’s go somewhere else. We can spend the rest of the night dinging this place on Google and Yelp and Open Table.”
Oh, Jesus. This is going really bad, really fast. I turn and squeeze KT’s arm. When she meets my gaze, I shake my head.
“Hi, Veronica,” a deep male voice sounds behind us. “I have a takeout order.”
Chloe spins toward the voice. “Well, hello again.”
It’s the cop Chloe and KT met in the grocery store the day before, and now I’m getting an up-close and personal view. And he’s one seriously hot cop. Six-two or six-three, dark hair, hazel eyes, sunglasses pushed up and resting on the back of his head. “If it isn’t the fruit bandit.”
KT rolls her eyes, muttering, “Good God.”
“Hey, Craig.” The cop addresses the pub owner. “Are you having a problem seating these three beautiful women? No doubt they’d be good for business.” Hot Cop’s gaze scans the restaurant, then returns to us, but holds most definitely on Chloe. “I see a few booths open.”
Chloe is beaming and seems to pull an almost-grin out of a man who doesn’t look like he smiles very often.
A young woman comes up beside Mr. O’Malley. She’s quite pregnant, but I identify her immediately as Samantha, Craig’s daughter, who is my age and a girl I adored while living here. “I’ve got this, Daddy. Shawn needs some help with the kegs in the back.”
O’Malley’s angry gaze darts around the group—the cop, the three of us, back to the cop. He turns with a harrumph and disappears into the back again.
As soon as he’s gone, Chloe gives the cop an intimate smile, and her hand slides down his uniform sleeve. “Thank you.”
“Not a problem.” The huskiness in his voice and the way he holds Chloe’s gaze makes my brows lift. “Nice to see you again.” He glances at our faces and adds a polite “Enjoy, ladies.” To Chloe, he says, “Be a good girl, now.”
There will have to be some discussion about just how quickly Chloe made a connection with a cop when we’ve only been here a few days, but first, we have to reach a table.
I return my gaze to Samantha, stomach tight, not knowing what to expect.
As soon as our gazes meet again, she breaks into a grin and hugs me hard. “It’s so good to see you.”
Gratitude and relief swamp me, and I hug her back. “You too.” I lean away. “You look amazing, all glowy. Pregnancy agrees with you.”
She puts a hand on her basketball belly. “Thank you. It’s been crazy for sure. Let’s get you a table.”
We make small talk as we pass through the restaurant—when she’s due, if she knows whether it’s a girl or a boy. I make a mental note to pick up a baby gift for her. Then she hugs me once more before leaving us. “If you have time, let’s get together while you’re in town.”
“I’d love that.” And it isn’t a lie. I have far too few friends and way too few allies. Sam is both rolled into one.
We slide into a booth with KT and Chloe on one side and me on the other with all the purses. I like this position. I can see the door and the bar, and I’m definitely going to keep an eye out for Mr. O’Malley.
A girl comes by with water, and we order drinks. When she wanders away, Chloe’s still got a dreamy look on her face. “That man could seriously make me reconsider celibacy.”
“Gag me,” KT says.