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“That isn’t fair to you.”

“I didn’t ask if it was fair. My schedule is a lot more flexible than yours.”

The roll she’d eaten, as delicious as it was, sat like lead in her stomach. “I’m from the wrong side of the tracks.” Her voice was soft.

Warm fingers cupped her chin and raised her face to his. “I don’t care where you came from.”

Her lips twitched. “You may not, but others will.”

“The hell with them.”

Kaley was startled by the venomous tone in his voice. “You say that now.”

“I will always say it.” He lowered his head. “You are your own woman. You got away from your family and made your own life, with your own business. Nothing else matters.”

“You aren’t real,” she whispered. He couldn’t be. Most men ran when they found out how she’d grown up.

“I’m very real.” He sat back as the waiter arrived with their food. “Let’s eat, then we can talk more.”

She nodded and wondered how she was going to eat. But the smell of beef enveloped her, and her mouth watered.

* * * *

Anthony watched Kaley as she ate. He liked a woman with a healthy appetite but worried that Kaley’s was because she hadn’t eaten much during the day. That was something they’d have to work on. Did Kaley really think he was so shallow that her growing up in poverty would bother him? She would learn fast it didn’t matter to him how or where she grew up.

She’d become a woman of strong mind and body. She owned Fluff and Puff and worked with animals. If he’d learned one thing when staying with his grandmother, it was that animals had a way of knowing the good guys and bad guys. There was a reason Nugget loved her and hated his parents.

Kaley pushed her plate away while it was still half full. “I can’t eat another bite,” she said when he looked at her.

He’d made a dent in the beef platter, but there was still a half-rack of ribs, half of the pulled pork, and most of the tri-tip, plus beans and corn. “If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I need to go to the men’s room.”

Anthony slipped from the booth. He stopped their waiter and asked him to box up their dinner, but to put it in one bag. He’d leave it with Kaley. Something told him she didn’t feel like cooking most nights, and the leftovers would be easy to reheat. He wanted to make her life a little easier.

After visiting the men’s room, he made his way back to the table to see a man standing there. Kaley’s face was red, and her eyes were shooting daggers at the man.

“Is this man bothering you, sweetheart?” he said as he came up to the table.

The man looked at him. Messy brown hair, and while he was well enough dressed for the restaurant, he reeked of alcohol.

“Just talking to an old friend,” the man said.

“You were never a friend, Junior.”

Anthony snickered, until the man spoke again, his voice rising.

“You were always trailer trash.”

Anthony didn’t hesitate. This wasn’t something the entire restaurant needed to hear. He grabbed Junior by the shirt. “I think it’s time to take out this trash.” Anthony pulled Junior through the restaurant.

Applause broke out, telling him people had heard this man malign Kaley. His anger grew. He tossed her tormenter out the door. He stumbled but recovered.

“Better watch yourself; I have powerful friends,” Junior yelled.

“So do I.” Anthony waved his hand in dismissal and walked back inside. When he got to the booth, he sat down and noticed Kaley was trembling. “He’s gone.” Anthony slipped his arm around her shoulders.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “I should go.”

“No.” He tightened his arm around her. “None of this was your fault.”

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