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She shook her head “No You’re royalty That e I knohat royalty means where I come from In New Orleans it’s an entirely different level So it’s the French families in power here, not Italian But the rules are the same”

I poured our chane into paper cups Kennedy’s eyes widened when she saw the oysters on ice arrive

“You eat this?” she pointed at them

I winked “You’ll love them”

I could tell she was against the platter She didn’t like how they looked

“Coed her to lean over the table I topped an oyster with hot sauce and placed it on her tongue

She cautiously closed her mouth I waited for the reaction The distrust turned to a smile

“Okay”

“Okay?” I cocked my head

“They’re good” She nodded “Really good”

I laughed “My work here is done”

We drank and made our way around the shells on the platter By the ti at a table The place was e the vinyl cover with hiave him an extra hundred to leave the lanterns on over our table and to close down the outside restaurant I wanted to be alone with her I couldn’t give her total freedoht of it

“This version of New Orleans isn’t bad” Kennedy dangled the paper cup between her delicate fingers She was relaxed At ease She wasn’t the sao

I cli my body next to hers

I’d never wanted to kiss a woman as badly as I wanted to kiss her Booze Oysters Starry sky Crackling chemistry Fuck How did I show restraint?