Twist the Knife - Page 148

“I think they’re walnut chocolate chip today,” Remy says. “But I’ll grab a few for you now. Before these clowns eat all of them.” He teasingly jabs a finger toward Griff, then Torch.

“Why you throwing shade at your brother-in-law, Remy?” Torch asks with a smirk.

“Nice to hear you admit you’re a clown.” Griff reaches over and claps Torch on the back, then laughs.

Torch doesn’t seem insulted. If anything, it seems like their verbal jabs are a regular occurrence.

“How’s it going?” I ask Griff.

“Good, thanks. I wanted to say thanks for sending that guy with the ‘67 Mustang Fastback my way.”

“Oh, he actually came to see you? That’s great!” I smile, happy I could help.

Griff nods and glances at the table in the back where the two couples are laughing and sharing a pizza. “You’re welcome to join us if you want.”

“Uh, I’m good, thanks.” I gesture to my sandwich, though I’m suddenly too nervous to eat in front of everyone.

“All right, well, glad I ran into you.” He gives Torch one last hard look before heading back to his table.

Torch has moved down a few seats to talk to Remy. I take a quick bite of my sandwich, savoring the spicy sauce, then lift the bun and drizzle the cup of blue cheese over the whole thing.

I glance at the guys in the corner. Griff nods at me. Not in a flirty way, more like a subtle sense that he’s looking out for me.

I hurry to finish my sandwich, taking sips of water to quell the spiciness.

I’m dipping a piece of celery in some stray blue cheese dressing when Torch returns. I quickly swipe my napkin over my mouth.

“So, Margot, do you ever go to the drive-in out on Route 50?”

“Oh, wow. Not in years. My parents used to take me there when I was a kid.” Until my mom passed away and we stopped leaving the house all that much.

“Well, they’re still open. Wanna go Friday night?”

As of right now, I have Friday off, but that can always change. I hate to make plans and then break them, but I’d also like to go out and do something fun. Torch seems safe. Remy knows him. Griff knows him. That woman, Ella, seemed comfortable around him. “Sure,” I finally answer.

“Great.” He pulls out his phone. “Give me your number. I’ll pick you up?—”

“I live all the way out in Pine Hollow.” I smile apologetically. “And my job’s kind of unpredictable. I might get called in.” Shoot, why’d I mention my job? Please don’t ask what I do.

He stares at me for a few seconds. Probably trying to decide if I’m giving an excuse.

“Really,” I say.

“Okay. You want to meet here first? Have dinner and then go?”

“Sure.”

“If you get called in or something, I can bring you right back.”

“Okay.”

A pleased smile spreads over his face. “Good.” I hand him my phone and he punches his number in. When his screen lights up, he answers, then disconnects.

“I’ll call Friday afternoon to make sure we’re still on,” he suggests. “That okay?”

“Yeah, that works.”

“Great. I’ll see you then.” He nods at me, then walks over to Griff’s table.