Page 34 of Delayed Penalty

She rolls her eyes. “Not you.Her.”

Flora giggles. “Deal.”

I wonder what that’s about, but I figure I’ll learn soon enough.

Quinn follows us to the car, and I drop Flora to her feet to open the door. She climbs into the SUV, buckling herself into her booster seat—something I had no idea was even a thing until some mom went off on me in the grocery store parking lot—then I hop into the front just as Quinn is sliding in too.

“This is nice,” she says, looking around. “Still has that new-car smell.”

“You think this is nice, wait until you see what I have hidden away in the garage.”

I haven’t had a chance to take my sports car out lately, but maybe if this arrangement with Quinn works out, I can change that.

I back out of the driveway, heading toward the little diner I know Flora loves to eat at. We’re quiet on our way there, Flora reading a book she keeps stashed in the seat pocket and Quinn sitting oddly still next to me as I navigate rush-hour traffic. We finally pull into the lot twenty minutes later and pile out of the car.

“Hayes!” Tex, the owner, calls as we walk through the door of the retro-looking establishment. This is another place Flora and I come far too often, but the food is cheap, and Flora likes it, so it’s good enough for me. “Grab a seat wherever, and I’ll be right over.”

I let Flora lead us to our table and watch as she slides into the aqua and white vinyl booth. I go to get in next to her so Quinn can have her own side, but Flora holds her hand up.

“May I please sit next to Miss Quinn?”

I look down at the tawny-haired woman trying to hide her smile and shrug.

“All right, little flower,” Quinn tells her as she scooches in next to her. “But only if you promise to drop the Miss part. It’s just Quinn.”

“Okay, Just Quinn.”

Holy shit. Flora made a joke!I’ve never heard hermake one before. It’s so…strange. And normal. So fucking normal, and I love it.

I slide in opposite them, trying not to gape at her with surprise. If she notices my delight, she doesn’t say anything. She’s too busy rearranging the sugar packets so they’re all facing the same way and are tucked down into their holder nice and neat.

“Well, I didn’t realize we had royalty in the building,” Tex says, appearing at the end of the table, his tattoos peeking out from under his black polo as he passes out two adult menus and one kids menu. I don’t know why he’s bothering with one for Flora and me, as we always get the same thing. “Should I bow?”

Flora’s cheeks flush red, and she shakes her head, sliding down in the booth a little.

Tex laughs. “Good to see you again, Hayes. Are the Serpents ready to bring us the Cup this season?”

“I hope so. Looking forward to getting back out on the ice.”

Being out there today felt good, but it wasn’t enough. Hell, I don’t think it’ll ever be enough. When I fell in love with hockey, I fell hard, and now it’s like an addiction I can’t seem to shake.

“Good. We’re going to be rooting for you.” He claps me on the shoulder. “You want your usual drink?”

“Please.”

“No problem.” He turns to Flora. “And for you, Your Majesty?”

“Chocolate milk, please, Mr. Tex.”

“I had a feeling you’d say that.” He grins at her before turning to Quinn. “Looks like we got a crasher. What’ll it be, sweetheart?”

Something unfamiliar shoots through me as Tex smiles down at Quinn. I like the guy well enough, but I don’t at all like that he just called Quinnsweetheart.

“Diet Coke, if you got it.”

“Sure thing.” He winks at her. “Be right back with those.”

I scowl after him, not bothering to pick up my menu like Quinn. She peruses it for only a moment before setting it back down.

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