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Derek said, "We can handle it If pretty boy knoork a headset"

"I orking com units when you were in knee britches, sonny," Brandon said

"Knee britches? Wrong century, white boy"

"Stop," I said, waving the waitress over when she appeared uncertain about interrupting with ourthe staff nervous "Can you work together or not? ’Cause if you’re going to act like twelve-year-olds, I’ll look for other help Like Chen" I glanced at Adelaide, who shtly

Derek snorted Brandon swiveled tohis hoity-toity expression, and stuffed a forkful of pork in e," he said

"Good," I said through the food Then I chewed and sed "You boys chat I gotta go to the ladies room" I madethree brassieres with six udders stuffed up high and proud The bull’s roo that looked like six feet of horns and a Speedo I felt, more than saw, Adelaide follow me Nohat?

CHAPTER TEN

I Sleep with Va

I did my business, aware that she did the sa it, waiting on her Woer than wo clai I braidedher feet in the stall If they spread and braced shea weapon

Adelaide flushed, opened the door--no weapon--and left the stall,my eyes in thebeside aze She was a with herself that I atching for a gun I couldn’t help it I grinned back She said, "You do yank their chains"

"Soave a head shrug, a tilt of acceptance "Youthem with your looks and char after you Looks and charths I have to make do with moxie andas inter froured out what

"You really have no idea how beautiful you are" It was an incredulous statement, not a question, and she looked sad

I snorted, not trying to be delicate "I know exactly how beautiful I a is the best I can do Nohen I get all doodied up, andBut I’ll never be beautiful"

"Mmm" Adelaide pulled towels and dried her hands "They all stared at your backside when you left the table"

"I have a nice butt Great legs No class"

"You chose to display little class," she aainst the counter, still holding her eyes in theto beit easy," she said, exasperated She leaned in as well, her posture copying mine "Do you kno difficult it is to find a friend who is as tall as I aht understand the life of a blood-servant? Who isn’t chasing after et close to uish

My face fell Crap She was serious After a long, silent moment, I said, "Yeah To the tall part" I studied her cornflower blue eyes They were earnest, a hard e to be my friend?"

"And I have no idea why I’ve bothered You are a pain in the ass"

I laughed She didn’t I stepped away froaze "Okay," I said

"Okay? Okay what?"