Page 21 of The Publicity Stunt

"That's why you wanted her last name," Kace says. Damn, this woman is nothing if not generous.

She just smiles. "Since I have my wallet out, do you want me to pay for our dinner, too? Or is this the two meals Brett owes you?"

Kace laughs loudly while Brett scowls.

"I got dinner," Brett grits out but laughs with Kace. "She has a memory. I still don't like it."

They slide out of the booth, and Bri takes Kace's hand. The feeling of her skin on his makes him burn in the best way possible. The father catches their attention, and he mouths thank you with tears in his eyes as his daughter screams at the note Bri wrote her.

The manager walks up with Stephanie, who stares at the ground like a reprimanded child. "Ms. Waters?"

"Yes?"

"Hi, I'm the manager, Gene. I wanted to apologize for the situation you were put in by my wait staff. Stephanie should have never asked you to pay for another table's meal."

Bri releases Kace's hand. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"We never want our elite guests to be put in such a precarious position and feel an obligation to cover other tables."

"Well, there are two things you're leaving out of this scenario, Gene. First, I asked Stephanie. I asked for her specifically, and she didn't ask me anything. Second, I wouldn't have needed to feel like I should step in if you'd been a considerate human being and honored the expired coupons. I know for a fact this restaurant has a large profit margin, and knowing the situation of that poor man, you should have tried to help."

He clears his throat, and Kace almost feels bad for Gene as he gets reamed by such a small but mighty woman. "Regardless, she should have never divulged the information to you. She will be disciplined accordingly. I just wanted to apologize and ask not to have this held against us for any future evenings you wish to spend here."

Raising her eyebrows, she crosses her arms under her chest. "Shame on you."

"Excuse me?"

"You know, I planned to come back because of Stephanie. But you, sir, are the reason I don't know that I want to come back here. You should be praising this woman for being a good person. She wanted to find a way to pay for whatever was lacking out of her own money, especially after you failed to be a decent human being. Shame on you. And shame on this establishment for having someone like you in a position of power. It's a significant disservice to this place."

The man's jaw drops. "I'm sorry you feel that way."

"You should. The owner, Charlie? His grandfather was a good friend of my grandfather. That's how this reputation got started, you know. He bought the beef from my family, and I think I'll give Charlie a call and tell him what happened tonight. How you treat those you consider your non-elite patrons as well as your staff. He'll know how amazing the servers are despite the poor leadership."

Kace and Brett stand behind her when anger flashes across his face. If this man thinks he's going to do anything, especially with them standing right there, he's a bigger idiot than he looks.

"I'm sorry you feel that way," he says again, this time between clenched teeth.

"It might be in your best interest to look for new employment. Maybe also talk to someone about why you seem to be such a mean-spirited man. It's always better to be kind. Oh, and Stephanie? Here's a tip for the table. I also have four tickets waiting for you at will call for tomorrow's concert. You don't work, do you?"

Stephanie stares in shock. "I'm scheduled to work-"

"I think her shift can be covered, can't it, Gene?"

"Yes, I think we can accommodate that," he says, his teeth still clenched. He’s going to crack some of them if he doesn’t loosen his grip soon.

"Oh my God! I'm going to a Bri Waters concert!" Stephanie screams. "Can I hug you?"

Pulling her into a large hug, Bri smiles brightly. "Don't ever let people make you lose the kind soul you have. We need more people like you in the world."

"This is the greatest gift of my life!" she cries, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you!"

Kace takes Bri's hand and walks out to the SUV, happy to have a reason to pull her into his lap. Brett and he both remain silent as they process what just happened. And true to her word, Bri calls the owner right there to explain what happened.

"She's kind of amazing," Brett whispers.

"She really is," Kace agrees and rubs his thumb on her thigh.

The look Bri gives him as she talks on the phone makes his heart race, and he knows if things keep going like this, he won't be able to keep this a fake scenario. She might just be what he's been missing in his life.

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