AS WE DROVE AWAY from Jimmy's mechanic shop, I had an idea. "How about I treat you to breakfast?"

Colton frowned. "You sure you want to head out into town with me again?"

"I couldn't care less what those two little girls think," I replied.

Colton's knuckles turned white as he held on the steering wheel. "It won't just be them, though..."

I placed my hand on his thigh. "Screw them. Just focus on me, and they can piss off, right?"

Colton burst out laughing. "Piss off?"

"I mean, I just call it like I see it," I responded with a giggle.

"Claudia, you are hilarious."

Grinning, I gave his leg a squeeze.

"Seriously, though, people might be super rude to us. I just want you to be ready. My mother and I haven't been out to eat in over six months."

My heart sank. "Six months? That's terrible."

He nodded. "I can take it, but my mom... she—she just breaks down. These people used to be her friends. Now they won't even look at her."

"That sucks," I admitted. "I'm really sorry you and your mom have to deal with crappy people."

Colton nodded. "If they knew what my dad was really like behind closed doors, they would be singing a different tune."

Nodding, I gave his arm another squeeze.

Ten minutes later, we pulled up in front of Nelly's Dinner.

Colton took a deep breath and closed his eyes before getting out of the truck. He walked over to my side, opened the door, and then helped me down.

"Ready?" I asked him.

"Ready as I'll ever be."

Just before we walked through the door, I grabbed Colton's hand. "If they're going to talk, let's give them something to talk about."

Colton gave me an unsure smile.

Before he could think about it another moment, I pushed through the glass door. Two holiday bells taped to the door clinked together as it shut behind us. The diner was almost empty. Two older couples sat toward the back, and three men sat at a round table by the window.

"Shit," Colton muttered as he made eye contact with one of the men.

As the man stood up, Colton's grip on my hand tightened. "We should go," he whispered into my ear.

Before I could respond, the man started walking toward us with a grimace on his face.

"What on God's green earth are you doing in here?" the man asked, spitting his words like steel.

"We're just here trying to get something to eat," I responded.

"He's not welcome here," said the man, wiping his mustache with the back of his hand.

Colton's hand felt clammy in mine.

"Not welcome? Do you own this restaurant?" I spat.

The man turned his silvery-blue eyes at me. "And who the hell are you?"

"My family has owned property up here for three generations, and I have never been met with such rude behavior from anyone in New Lake," I responded, squaring my shoulders up to the large man.

"Come on, Claudia, let's just go," said Colton. "It isn't worth it."

"Oh no, we are eating here. Unless the owner feels otherwise." I looked around for a waitress. "Excuse me, we'd like to be seated." I grabbed two menus and waved them in the air. "We're just going to sit over there."

The man stood speechless.

I pulled Colton to a table on the other side of the room. "Here you go," I said, handing him a menu.

"Did you really just do that?" he asked with a small smile.

I laid my menu on the table. "I wasn't going to let that man bully us."

"Do you know who that man is?" Colton asked. I shook my head as I looked at the menu. "He's the mayor of New Lake."

I froze. "Really?"

Colton nodded.

"Well, then he's an ass," I said, returning my attention to the menu.

A waitress, who looked to be no older than sixteen, came over to the table. "Don't listen to any of them," she said quietly. "My momma knows your momma. We know you all weren't lying. Your daddy used to come in here and get drunk after lots of his shifts. I even heard him brag about hittin' your momma one time."

Colton relaxed in his chair.

"Now what can I get you two to eat?" she asked.

I ordered waffles with whipped cream and strawberries. Colton ordered pancakes and sausage links.

"Two orange juices too, please," said Colton.

She gave us a smile and headed toward the kitchen.

"Claudia, I can't thank you enough," he said. "I never would have sat down if it wasn't for you."

I took a sip of water. "What can I say? I'm one tough cookie."

He smiled, his dimples in full effect. My heart hammered in my chest.

"So, I had a thought," said Colton.

"Just one?" I joked.

"Ha, ha. Very funny," he responded. "I was thinking that maybe you could come to dinner at my place tomorrow?"

Grinning, I nodded my head. "I'd love that."

The rest of our breakfast went smoothly. The mayor and his friends left, and Colton even let me pay for our meals.

On our way out of the restaurant, Colton thanked the waitress again. "I really mean it, Jacey, thank you."

She gave him a kind smile and a wave.

Colton opened the door for me, but before I could walk through, he pulled me in for a quick kiss. "Thank you, too, Claudia. This meant a lot to me."

*******

Cliffhangers,

Eek! That restaurant scene was so uncomfortable to write! How do you think Claudia handled it? 

Stay tuned for the next update! It's coming your way soon!

Hearts and Daggers,

Kelly Anne Blount xoxo